Full time or executive MBA

thanks. I'm considering this but without management experience, it would be a big question mark, if I can get in.

mba goals:
- learn/hone leadership and people skills
- take on more responsibility
- move to management/executive position
- get more life balance (is this possible? I guess this depends on the post-mba field or position I get into?)
- increase income
- not really a goal, but I'll consider it a bonus to work at the top 100

"managerial" - I mean I didn't have any management experience at work.

I'm currently in I.T.

Have you managed a project or led a team to complete an assignment. You don't need a manager title or direct reports to have had managerial experience.

Do you want to stay in IT or move to a different industry? Do you know what kind of career you want. For example, my post MBA goal is to transition into either a non-profit development or corporate social responsibility role with a focus in creating public private partnerships. I'd like to do this at the senior manager or director level.
From what you're saying it seems a PT program might fit your needs if you're just looking to learn some new skills in finance, marketing, accounting, etc.

Thanks Cheetarah. This helped. I prefer to stay in IT. Saw your blog and looks like you sort of went through the same crossroad. I'll think about it more.

hello, can you give more details, why do you think full time is better?

"I think the biggest thing about a part-time program is the networking and job-search will only be what you make it to be. In the full time program you are immersed in the school and end up doing some networking and job searching by default. In the part-time program it is really about the individual to make the most of their time there."

I couldn't agree with that more.

For me, I ran into this same question last year when I was applying. I ended up deciding to go the part-time route and am starting at UCLA Anderson this fall. Here was my rational for my situation and why I chose part-time:
- I love the company I work at. The growth has been phenomenal the past 4 years and in the booming online marketing industry and I didn't want to leave.
- I felt that if I ever did want to leave, going with a part-time program would allow me to much more easily get an internship or part-time job or engage with a start-up since my classes will be in the evening, not during the day time.
- The part-time programs were 3 years. Yes, 1 year longer, but that means more opportunities to network.
- In my line of work it's fairly easy to work remotely as long as you have a computer and internet connection. I envisioned certain days working remotely from the library and heading over to class afterwards. Again, the idea of working and getting my MBA without having to forego income.
- @Anderson, part-time (FEMBAs) are given the same/equal resources as full-timers, so all of the student organizations and activities are also open to FEMBAs. This was a huge + to be able to participate in student life this way. Not all programs are as open, but I felt doing the part-time program I would get the best of both worlds.

That said though a lot of things have change in the past months. I've decided to leave my current company and take a risk and partner up with others on a startup while pursuing my degree. I think given the schedule of the part-time program, it'll be much easier for me to manage both of these vs if I were to do this while in the full-time program.

Best of luck with your decision!

Thanks! I didn't know that there are part-time programs that provide the same resources that are given to full-time students. I assume that includes placement?