Need some input on weekend MBA programs - Ross and Broad
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06 Mar 2015, 09:08
Hello,
This is my first time posting and I'm a new user. I'm hoping to be able to get some help/information/input regarding weekend MBA programs in the state of Michigan. I'll try and summarize a little bit about myself:
I went to a small tech school in Metro Detroit and got my BS Mechanical Engineering.
I spent time working at one of the big auto OEMs for 6 years as an engineer in hybrid systems.
During that time I obtained my Master of Engineering degree from Univ of Michigan - AA
I recently switched jobs to a different auto OEM at the end of last year where I'm the lead engineer on hybrid programs - essentially lead a cross functional team in the development, implementation, optimization of the entire hybrid vehicle system (not just one part or piece, but the entire system).
I am 30 years old and married
I am looking to get an MBA. I'm not looking to be a career switcher. What I am looking to do is hopefully gain some critical and vital skills through an MBA as a means to help leverage into more supervisory, project management, and managerial roles. I do not want to leave my job and thus am interested only in weekend MBA style programs. Additionally, I want to attend a school with a good reputation that will allow me the credentials and credibility to obtain my future career goals.
I have been looking at things and it seems that from a reputation and accessibility perspective Michigan (Ross) and Michigan State (Broad) would be a good fit. Ross obviously has a top tier reputation when it comes to MBA programs and is far better in that perspective than Broad. However, Ross comes in at a cost north of $100,000 and Broad is at $67,000 - these are total program costs.
Here are some of my concerns:
- Cost: My company may sponsor 100% of tuition costs but I'm not sure if I want to take them up on that. We have a clause stating that you have to remain with the company for a minimum of 3 years post graduation. So, my concern is that if I'm unable to secure a upward moving role within the company after graduation and stay in a more traditional engineer type position, that I miss out on a lot of opportunity. I am assuming that my best opportunity to secure a new position/role would be at the time of graduation, and sitting in a similar role that I have today with the additional MBA for 3 years would kill a lot of that potential. If I'm paying out of pocket, $67k is more feasible than $100k.
- Reputation: Obviously Ross is a more well regarded top tier in reputation program vs. Broad. Does that play a huge impact? If my goal is to stay within Metro Detroit, will the difference in reputation between these programs be a huge hindrance?
From my personal situation, I'm not attacking the MBA as a means of a grand post-MBA salary. With my recent job change I just hit a 6 figure mark, and salary is not a driving motivation here. I want to get into a program that will allow me to advance my career. I'm assuming from a weekend/part time MBA perspective, post-MBA salaries are not hugely different between Broad and Ross.
Any thoughts/comments/feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks