Which one is the best option for me?

Here is the thing. I am thinking about going back to school and make career changes. I hope that I will have more financial freedoms and upward mobility. I have to make decision in two months.


Option 1: I only need 6 more accounting courses to sit for the CPA exam that I can take at any community colleges or UC Extensions. If I pass the exam successfully then I could get the license in one-year with my 150 undergrad units. If everything is smooth then I will get CPA license in two years from now. Btw, I am not a big fan of tax, but if it is the best option then I will do. I don’t know if I will be happy with this career. If I go with first option then it might take longer, but I might get into a better MBA programs (M7) in my mid-30s with CPA licenses and working experiences and maybe less financial burdens.

Option 2: I can study at one-year alumni-MBA program which is a mediocre school (I don’t have to take GMAT). It offers night classes which allow me work full-time during day. I need to take $10,000 loan tho. It might harder for me to land a well paying jobs right after graduation since it is not a highly regarded MBA program with limitted net-work. However, I might take a shot since I speak Mandarin which is "in demand".

About Me:
26yo single male.
Undergrad: small Christian private.
Major: Business, GPA: 3.80.
WE: one-year full-time new account staff at a local community bank.
Non-resident: Fluent in Korean, and Mandarin, Chinese.
Career goal: Getting into mainstream corporate America which pays well. At least 50k first year after tax. I am pacifically interested in working at a U.S. petroleum or consulting companies that works with China. Eventually open my own consulting company.

I really appreciate your comments and advices.

She said it. Thanks.

"If you want to keep your job and just want to take an MBA for additional knowledge, then by all means, take up the part time. However, if youd really like the full experience, if you can afford it, I would encourage you to take the full time degree because it’s a one of a lifetime experience (e.g., you can only get your MBA once). Might as well do it the best way you can."

Bias: I went the CPA route, though out of college.

With Option 1, you can still do the MBA route later if you don't like the accounting and could also be well positioned for an Exec MBA. (You can probably get through the exam/experience required and apply before mid-30s, the application period and experience window can overlap)

Option 2 - Take a look around the boards for how helpful a strong brand/network can be.

Option #1 will let you reach your goal while giving you the option to improve further later down the road, while Option #2 seems to have weaker prospects now (unless your linguistic skills can help you) will little recourse later on.