Prepare for PhD through MBA
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20 Apr 2011, 11:42
I have a bachelor's degree in computer science, also a minor in business management. And I have been working as a software engineer for about 6 years for a small company. I always thought of going back to school for a MBA but I was unsure what to do after that. Working in the corporate world didn't really motivate me. I postponed my decision and now I am close to mid-30's. But recently I felt the need to change my career and I realized that I have been always interested in organizational behavior, especially in leadership, organization change, motivation, multi-culture challenges. And now I am considering a MBA-PhD path and join the academia world to research, teach and/or work as a consultant.
As I researched about PhD, I have learned that there are several things I am lacking. And for these reasons, I am thinking a MBA will help me prepare to be a better PhD applicant.
- Good GPA (undergraduate gpa is low 3.0's) => Get a good gpa in MBA program
- Research Experience => Find research opportunities with faculties
- Writing Papers (undergraduate as much as possbile avoided class with writing assignments) What can I do??? English is not my native language.
- Knowledge in Economics and Statistics (undergraduate took basic economics and statistics) Take upper classes???
- Faculty who can write a LOR => network to build relationship with faculties
While in MBA, I would read academic journals and contact faculties in other universities who has the same interest in research as I do. Earlier the better???
One thing I no control over is my age. By the time I begin my MBA I will be somewhere between 35-36 of age. And if I can get into a PhD program, I will be done around 40-41 of age.
I would appreciate if anyone, especially someone in the same situation, give me any advice on how I can prepare for a PhD program, whether MBA is a good path to prepare for it, and any concern with my age perusing a PhD program.
Many thanks in advance!