MBA Cancel The title field is required!

1. Derek Wilkerson

   

   1 posts
   
   12/23/2016 9:12 AM

   I am contemplating returning to school to pursue my MBA. I am curious to know if any other superintendents have completed their MBA or if anyone is currently taking classes.
   
   Also, those of you that have your MBA, do you feel it has helped you in our chosen career path relative to the costs associated with it.
   
   Thank you,

   
   
   
   
2. Stephen Ravenkamp

   

   1 posts
   
   12/23/2016 11:12 AM

   Derek,
   I thought about it but decided at this point of my career it wasn't worth the cost. I already have an EdD and it would have been mostly for my own self improvement. That said, if you are in, or plan to pursue, a position in higher level management it could be very beneficial. One thing you might look at, though, is an Executive MBA program. They are slightly different than the normal MBA and are more "high-level management." If you plan on staying a a superintendent I don't know if the cost could be justified, although self-improvement is never a bad thing. In any case, you have to do a cost/benefit analysis. Talk to some people like David Robinson at Mariott, or some of the other large management companies and ask their opinion.

   
   
   
   
3. Vera Phillip S

   
   1/8/2017 8:01 AM

   Derek,
   
   I recently completed my MBA in just over a year. I will say that it was an extremely difficult year trying to balance work, family, and school. My classes were on average 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm approximately four nights a week. Fortunately, my previous employer was gracious enough to work with my school schedule, but ultimately, I ended up taking a year off to focus.
   
   The pursuit of an MBA was part self-improvement/fulfillment as I was a previous business major and it was my goal and part career advancement. 100% the MBA has helped in the daily tasks of being a superintendent. From data analytics to leadership and budgeting. I'm not sure the MBA comes into play much with our owner, but the members always ask questions about it as many of them have MBAs. I feel it has helped establish stronger relationships with members in a shorter period of time as we have more relative things to talk about.
   
   Only you can place the true value of the MBA on your career. I believe it is helpful and I have future goals in which I believe it will come more into play. I was also fortunate to attend a smaller, local university with a great reputation and much more affordable than the online and Executive programs. I have a friend currently getting his MBA and has taken a year off from work to focus on school. Both of our experience is in the Top 100 category. My first job upon returning from school was a Superintendents job, but I feel the MBA had less to do with that, but was still fortunate to achieve this title after taking a year off.
   
   Good luck and feel free to e-mail or reach out as I've done a lot of research into MBA Programs.

   
   
   
   
4. Derek Wilkerson

   

   1 posts
   
   1/9/2017 9:01 AM

   Thank you for the valuable feedback, it is greatly appreciated. I will continue to evaluate my options in this area.