Employer won't support MBA. Help?

Question

I have been working as an engineer with a fortune 500 company for 4-5 years since I graduated undergrad (also interned one summer). I had the full intention on pursuing an MBA and made aware to my manager that I was going to apply soon and would like some sort of tuition reimbursement. I made several arguments on why I needed an MBA (time in my career, looking for a lead/management position, develop business skills). My manager flat out refused to not grant me tuition reimbursement for my MBA, for reasons he wouldn't disclose. I am stuck in a predicament- do I finance my own MBA while working and allow my current employer to gain the benefits of my MBA skills or do I leave the company all together and pursue my MBA FT? Is it normal for fortune 500 employers to refuse MBA tuition assistance?

brianlange77 · Answer

Sadly, I think the Great Recession doesn't favor many employer-benefits that previous years were able to benefit from.

A few questions:

1. Do you want to stay in your career/company? Or are you looking to switch careers/industries/companies?
2. What type of proposal did you make to your manager? Executive? Part-time? The difference in $$ is HUGE!
3. Have you obtained a copy of your current employer's official tuition reimbursement policy? Anything you might be missing that could impact your qualifications?

Thanks.

-Brian

chestud13 · Answer

1.) I want to stay with the company, however, in terms of my career, I want to be able to get into a management position in the future. I love my industry and its challenges.
2.) Part Time
3.) I followed every requirement for the tuition reimbursement policy. I even committed to stay with the company 2 years after my MBA was complete.

brianlange77 · Answer

This starts to stretch outside of MBA discussions a bit -- but, do you think you'll get promoted into management at your company w/o the MBA? If not, and they aren't going to pay for you to get your MBA -- I wonder if it isn't time to really ask yourself about your future at this particular company.

Just my $0.02.

Just my $0.02.

bb · Answer

Many companies have poor tuition reimbursement programs when it gets to MBA. If you company does/did then you should consider yourself lucky. Many feel that it is an add-on degree and your boss probably does not have one, so why should you? ;-)

On a side, why does your boss have such a big say in it? Isn't that a pure HR question? It is a tough situation as you now probably should not get a LOR from him either; does not sound like a good person to get involved with. I personally hate when I am not told the truth and bare facts - that's immature.

Armada0023 · Answer

I would check in with HR regarding your reimbursement request. Where I work, it's a form you fill out, submit to HR, they do initial approval/disapprove, and then bring it to the head of my department (not my immediate boss) for final approval. Your company may have a similar process.

brianlange77 · Answer

At most companies I've worked at, I don't think it's ever a good idea to try to begin a 'process' with HR unless it's something that your immediate supervisor is aware of and supports, right? Maybe I have a limited experience -- but... food for thought.

Employer won't support MBA. Help?

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