DO NOT GET AN MBA If This Is You!

The MBA is worth it for the right people, but what if business school isn’t for you?
We’ve talked to thousands of MBA candidates over the years, and there are three types of people for whom the MBA isn't worth it. Not because they aren’t good enough or won’t be successful in their careers, just that the MBA isn’t a good fit for them or their career goals. It’s a huge investment! So you have to be sure that it’s worth it.
This week, Angela Guido lays out the kinds of people who should think twice before doing an MBA (or at least who have a little more work to do before they apply).
Are you one of them?
#MBAWorthIt #MBACareers #WhyMBA
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CAREER GAME PLAN
Why Your MBA Essays Need Strong Career Goals: • Why Your MBA Essays Ne...
How To Build An Authentic Career With Your MBA: • How To Build An Authen...
Should MBAs Really Become Entrepreneurs? • Should MBAs Really Bec...
RESOURCES
Check out the Ultimate Guide How to Get Into Business School: mbas.co/ultimateguide
Get Our Comprehensive MBA Career Report: mbas.co/report
00:00 Hello!
01:35 The Clueless
04:20 You Want The MBA To Do It To You (?!)
06:15 The Overnight Entrepreneur
10:15 The Most Important Thing
CONNECT WITH US!
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[@angkybanggaditya5998]

the best, clearest and most realistic explanation so far. thank you!

[@marcelo1x1]

Didn’t expect to receive such valuable advice. Instantly subbed

[@malithsamaradivakara6967]

Thank you so much, wow we need more content like this. Clear and concise. Thanks.

[@kelseyfuller-innovationdes1948]

Thank you for how clarifying your content is. It really helps to have you remove the rose-colored glasses to take a realistic look at the purpose of the MBA. I appreciate how your communication style is realistic AND kind in it being both constructive and motivating!

[@angelodcollazo]

This advice is so valuable to me right now. It felt like you were talking directly to me. Thank you so much.

[@Gaurangj]

+1

[@obebrobbey4902]

Best advise of 2023.. thank you! 🎉

[@aflyingpenguin7321]

You are so incredibly well-spoken and you seem to care so much. Keep doing what you do!

[@CareerProtocol]

Thank you so much!

[@basharyassin7091]

This lady definitely knows what she is talking about, Thank you! Great video! Great information

[@SupraSoma]

Thanks for the video!

[@aracelil01]

Very insightful & informing. Thank you for sharing these tips, they bring clarity to a decision!

[@blah-blah-blah-blah38]

This is *amazing* advice- I love you!

[@stuti4677]

You are such a great advisor, I must say. Was looking for a person like you from such a long time and finally found you.

[@CareerProtocol]

Thank you so much! Glad we can help :)

[@aaronsalomon6981]

This was incredibly helpful.

[@suri4Musiq]

Very valuable, thank you❤️

[@pratikraj5364]

Thank you. This content is very helpful

[@florian12]

extremely valuable. Your content is really refreshing and professional at the same time ❤

[@CareerProtocol]

Thank you Florian!

[@behindthecam5526]

Very helpful thank you!

[@sachingupta5155]

Thanks I clicked on this video , I was also facing this dilemma on whether to sit for MBA and yes I think that I fall into Category 1 and 2 , keep up the good work : )

[@Crystal-jr7lp]

Great videos. Thanks. :)

[@Parker53151]

Pick your speciality and get an MS in that field. Far more useful than earning an MBA, in my opinion.

[@fungirl0123456]

Excellent video

[@asharrfz4549]

Excellent explanation❤

[@DallasSan1]

Great info

[@ande4493]

Really helpful!

[@CareerProtocol]

Glad you think so!

[@mauricio_hurtado]

Currently running a 2 year business in Peru. Sometimes i get the feeling that the network and the resources of being in USA could be really helpful for accelerating things. But obviously an MBA is time consuming and i would need to multiply myself to keep the company running. Right now i have a 5 person team and planning to do the master on 2025.

[@raisaaminati3010]

Great video

[@Mazon717]

I've been an entrepreneur for 5 years now and I'm going back to school to refine my skills, I know it's going to be worth it.

[@CareerProtocol]

Awesome!!! Have fun!

[@vivekt.2038]

What's yo startup name ?

[@deslu99]

I like you, good work.

[@EmonArch14]

I find this very helpful.

[@CareerProtocol]

Glad we were able to help!

[@rogi827]

Have a math degree, worked 5.5 years as an actuary, 7 years as a pricing and cost analyst, looking to build and enhance my pricing skills, learn additional analytical and corporate strategy skills.

[@samsham2295]

Great advice! But what about if you love your work or pretty satisfied in where you are in life but you feel less than everyone around you (whether coworkers or close friends) because they all have a master's degree or two? Every single person around me has a master's.

[@giftchujor2883]

Depending on the day, I feel like each one of the 6 people (3 who should get an MBA, 3 who shouldn't) :):

[@CareerProtocol]

It's hard to know yourself, Gift. I hear you! Talk soon!

[@dariusthurman8835]

I got my mba at a low rank school 6 years ago and it was largely a waste of time and money. I went right after undergrad Bus school because I didn't have a job lined up and it just seemed appropriate. What I really need were good internships and coops. If I could go back in time I dont think I would have gone to college.

[@mitiaandrnv7386]

I hope everything worked out for you. I'm glad you spoke on this because everything I've heard about and MBA sounded amazing until i realized what characteristics you should naturally have to be able to prosper with an MBA, thank you for your input!

[@dariusthurman8835]

​​@@mitiaandrnv7386No things didnt work out for me. I ended up in a dead end job and I lost it right before covid. Whatever skills I had have atrophied and now Im on the brink of homelessness.

[@a3905]

Can i ask what are you doing rn?

[@Zen-zh7wp]

@@a3905did they ever answer?

[@a3905]

@@Zen-zh7wp nope :((

[@rickyroost7732]

Thank you for the good advice. Some observations of 40 years in business starting a company, leading a company I didn't start, and raising funds from major private equity firms. 1) The greatest value of an MBA is impressing other MBA holders that believe an MBA actually equips you to be a better leader and/or contributor. 2) Seasoned businesspeople and experienced private equity investors are not impressed with MBA degrees. Even from the Ivy League schools. They don't care about your grades. Only about your competency, communication skills, vision, work ethic, and ability to lead. 3) The vast majority of professors/instructors in business school have never been in business and never have had a job where they are accountable for tangible results. In spite of that they do have something to offer but way less than most people think. 4) Mentioning "my MBA" in conversations with real business leaders is a mistake. 5) If possible, try to work in your chosen field for 2 or 3 years and when you do go to business school you will have context for the things that are taught. I recognize this is not practical for most. I will confirm what readers of this are probably already thinking, I do not have an MBA.

[@CareerProtocol]

Thanks for sharing, Ricky! I DO have an MBA and I agree with most of what you say here. Point 1 is the only one where your personal bias against the MBA shows itself. It is for sure true that there is a sort of weird collusion among MBA grads that the MBA actually prepares you to be a better leader, which it absolutely does not do. But it's an overstatement to say that being part of that collective delusion is the GREATEST benefit of an MBA. As someone who majored in philosophy and started life as an English teacher, I never would have had the courage or confidence to start a company much less lead one without the extensive learning and confidence-building the MBA actually did give me. There are a lot of people for whom the degree opens doors in both the short and long term that would otherwise be closed or even inconceivable. That doesn't justify the investment for all, but it most certainly does for some. Thank you for sharing your perspective! It's a useful one for folks to hear and I mostly agree with you!!

[@coco28Lopez]

Thank you for this video. At 3:55min you gave me the answer I have been trying to find. 😊

[@CareerProtocol]

Glad I could help!

[@zephyrkhambatta]

Thanks for this. I just got invited to apply to an Online MBA on Scholarship... and as a blogger, vlogger, course creator and other fun things online myself... I can't help but imagine it might just be a feather in the hat... another one! LOL. Which actually doesn't convert to sales for solopreneurs. What converts to sales is welll... solving a customer's problem. Really in 2 minds about this MBA, unless I want to apply to a corporate job... and it ACTUALLY helps my knowledge. If it doesn't, I'm in 2 minds whether I should even have it to apply to just "appease" / "please" old school corporate hirers... because my entire personal brand is about how NOT to do that... Omg I'm so screwed hahahahahaha. Such is the game of authenticity in this fake FAKE world.

[@abdullahmohdfasrol363]

I just want that title only, to put on my name,just to show off,and after i finish my MBA i go for DBA, i only an entrepreneur in phone repair business, car workshop, restaurant, many more but all small medium business

[@Abhishekyadav-kb3wq]

Well I was thinking of doing an MBA. But after watching so many videos on KZbin, I am not sure if I will be doing that. Actually I have never been sure about doing an MBA. I have a Btech degree and even worked in a non core job for like 2 years. Left it cuz it was too hectic. I filled the application form for CAT 2023 (which is the exam we give to get into IIMs) and i really haven't prepared anything for it. The exam is next month. I gave it last year too but couldn't score good. I am a person who falls in the category 1 i.e. clueless as mentioned in your video. I have never been sure about what I wanna do. And I am already 26 and unemployed and clueless, without any goals. I take lot of stress and I think that's what I am gonna get in an MBA college and the corporate world. I just wish I find something that i really wanna do and just find a way to earn something in that particular field

[@fififornow8031]

How do you feel about Smeal?

[@zoe_guelfand]

What are your thoughts on the University of Massachusetts Lowell online MBA program?

[@DSNCB919]

Im not doing it unless employeer pays for it. Ive seen way to many coworkers with one who are NOT above me in title or getting paid above me

[@wenefredomongas]

Im start enrolling mba from where i graduated

[@AHEZA.]

What do you think about MBA at Southern New Hampshire University ?

[@harshwardhanpardeshi9045]

which camera did you use to record this video ?

[@user-il2ft8fb8v]

Need Advice! I`m 44 years old. I graduated with a Business Degree and have a Masters in Education. I`m teaching for the last 17 years, but desperately want a career switch into a Business/IT Management/Healthcare/Supply Chain career. Is an MBA an option? Any advice is welcome! Thanks

[@sidneythomasson7990]

Do you have any advice for gre prep and materials?

[@CareerProtocol]

we like the Manhattan books! Thorough and detailed!

[@alannahstone8456]

What if I’ve worked in social work the last 3 years and I want to take a business approach to helping people/doing a social impact MBA? I want to work in higher up management and leadership positions but I’m often told I need a masters and I think having an MBA could get me there faster as I want to get very high up into the company eventually. Can you please give your advice?

[@shinyshinythings]

Masters in Public Health or Masters in Public Administration maybe.

[@uiradaljovem2469]

A MBA for a 23 years old immature, is the same as a black belt degree for a 14 years old ( sorry some martial arts)

[@raymeester7883]

I get the Rosie O'Donnell vibe.

[@LostSoul979]

Can u make a video on how to get leadership role in top companies without mba? All i know is that i cannot afford 1.

[@franklinrodriguez3838]

Do you have any comments on Boston Questrom school of business online MBA

[@CareerProtocol]

Hi Franklin!! We're not expert in Online MBAs, but I definitely respect Questrom, so my guess is that it's one of the good ones!

[@kateschaefer3998]

Do you give career coaching advice? I need guidance

[@CareerProtocol]

Hi Kate!! Yes!!!! Sign up to talk to us at the link on careerprotocol.com!

[@Human-qw2de]

I need help and hope you can help me, thanks! Can a person do MBA after maths or pysics degree?

[@CareerProtocol]

Sure you can. Your undergraduate degree matters less than the work experience you amass post-graduation and pre-MBA. So start building your career in the direction you'd like to go and apply when ready!

[@BAM01230]

I am currently a RN working bedside, but would like to receive an MBA to possibly enter the healthcare recrutier or consultant field. Would an MBA help me entering this field or should I try to find a career in recruitment prior to receiving an MBA? Thank you.

[@CareerProtocol]

Hi Brian! Thanks for your patience. Thought I already replied to this! I would definitely first try to find a role in recruitment before pursuing an MBA. The recruitment field is not one that typically requires (or even appreciates) an MBA except at the very highest levels. You will succeed based on your ability to size up people's abilities, build relationships, manage your network, and have sales conversion conversations. The MBA really won't teach you any of that. That said, if you do want to transition entirely out of healthcare and into consulting or another business field, the MBA could be good for that, but it's relatively lower risk to first try to make the move you think you want to make and then go for the MBA if it becomes clear that you need it to achieve your goals. Hope this helps!

[@mightyzane5400]

I currently have a master in healthcare administration would a mba boost my resume

[@jaimesmith1086]

Thanks Angela for creating this video. I am wondering If I can get your thoughts on this: - I have been working for over 10 years and have been feeling stuck in a rut/feel deeply stuck in my career. - During coffee chats, I was suggested to consider MBA or MS Computer Science (I don't have an undergrad in CS but saw there are some bridging programs out there for those who don't). Wondering what do you think about MBA vs MS Computer Science? - I think MS if usually for those who usually have around 2 years of work experience but may not be appropriate for those with more work experience. - I think with MS CS one tends to become a software developer writing code. Pays well but just writing code. - With MBA people usually tend to go into 3 buckets (consulting, IB/financial services & tech). My perception is that the work life balance of consulting/financial services isn't great and also getting there in mid 30s is tough but tech (product management seems to be the most popular role in tech post MBA, though the current tech economy isn't great with layoffs) seems more open with better work life balance. Would love to get your thoughts & any advice you may have.

[@CareerProtocol]

They are fundamentally different degrees that set you on completely divergent paths. The MBA is a generalist degree, the MS CS is a specialist degree. You can get some of the same jobs afterwards - tech, even consulting or finance - but your brain is being shaped differently through each degree. They represent radically different views and perspectives on the world. So the question you just have to ask is.... do I want to go deeper into a narrow facet of reality (AKA tech and coding specifically)? Or do I want to go broader into multiple facets of reality (AKA get a generalist education in business)? Very different choices and you should have a clear sense of which is preferable. Alternatively, you can always do both.

[@jaimesmith1086]

@@CareerProtocol Thanks Angela

[@CareerProtocol]

Last week we posted the #goodvibesonly version, which can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpKmh52Lf62bmqM :)

[@kevonb13]

1 problem with all your saying is comapanies wont look at you without a degree. So ????

[@sandrochiappe2622]

Hi! Do you have an opinion about University of Miami MBA? Thanks!

[@CareerProtocol]

Great school with a great South Florida based network! If that's where you want to have your career, it's perfect.

[@WillieSurvive1]

I’m in my 40s with a useless history degree (was planning on going into teaching when I was working on getting that), but I have been working for a huge health insurance company for years. Would it be worth getting an MBA in order to improve my prospects for moving up in the company?

[@CareerProtocol]

Hi Willie!! No degree is useless! History teachers you to understand trends, identify meaning from disparate facts, and perhaps even make better decisions than we did before. Hope you are leveraging that at work now!! But to answer your question... I don't know! Executive MBAs and PT MBAs are great when you don't want to change jobs and just want to move up where you are. You're in the right time frame for those I would have discussions with your managers and people above them about what roles you are interested in and then ask if an MBA would help (and if they would even sponsor it). If the idea is to move up within your current company, your relationships within the firm will be of paramount importance, degree or no. So start there. Hope this helps!

[@dwill9256]

@@CareerProtocolthat’s a lie. There are useless degrees. We need this stop Lying to people

[@CareerProtocol]

@@dwill9256 I'm sure someone somewhere will be able to find a degree that is useless. Until then, the transferable skills you learn in 3+ years of challenging degree-level work are undeniable: analytical skills, communication skills, project management etc. Are some degrees more useful than others for X purpose? Of course. Will you learn as much in a less challenging course? No. Could some of the skills be better learned elsewhere? Maybe.

[@Mav0585]

Know what I want - no clue - but just graduated with MBA 😆

[@jeremymoore145]

lol

[@slacktire]

Hi there I just finished a degree in Electrical engineering and I really want a MBA degree to build my career. I'd like to know how long I'd have to work in my field before pursuing this opportunity.

[@CareerProtocol]

Most MBAs at top schools have 4-5 years of experience. This is what we generally recommend, although engineers sometimes have even more experience pre-MBA because of slow, standardized promotion cycles in the field. The idea is to actually work first - get some experience doing and managing things, processes, and people - so that the knowledge of the MBA itself will land in a fertile mind with perspective and not in an empty space with no way to make the MBA content meaningful. Does that make sense?

[@slacktire]

@@CareerProtocol thanks for clearing that up, I've just started some research into MBA and found your videos quite helpful

[@CareerProtocol]

@@slacktire

[@sarahal-abdulrahim8307]

Should you get an MBA if you are in the education industry?

[@jeremymoore145]

I’m having second thoughts lol

[@jasonpatrickries]

Don't bother. It's all nepotism, networking, favoritism and such. If you have an uncle or a great reference or referral maybe but the cronyism is insane.

[@Obecox]

is it me, or is this all common sense

[@CareerProtocol]

I certainly hope so!!!

[@jorgehuaco]

Get a degree in economics.

[@ammarkojok9004]

This is so unhelpful thanks

[@zainabsanni448]

What do you think about Michigan State University for an MBA program?

[@CareerProtocol]

It's a very decent program!

[@srjc98]

What about Capella University?