ovmaxim wrote:
Hello Paul,
I was accepted to Penn State MBA program and to Purdue MSIA. I would like to choose Purdue, however I am concerned about the degree. I see my career progress the following way: Supply Chain manager- SC Director- VP Operations/ COO/CEO. I heard an opinion that I might have difficulties during career progression after SC Director to executive level since the degree looks much narrower than 2year MBA. So which school to choose? I would greatly appreciate your expert opinion. Thanks!
ovmaxim,
I hope this post doesn't reach you too late. GMAT Club has been down so I haven't been able to answer. The opinion you heard is a good one; certainly, the MBA degree is the better-rounded credential. That said, there are plenty of executive leaders who have degrees other than the MBA. It depends alot on your industry. In more manufacturing- or technology-based industries the MBA is not as critical in rising to senior spots.
Purdue is a better-ranked school then Penn State and in operations management and supply chain management it is top-ranked (so is Penn State in supply chain). Don't let the MBA vs. MSIA be your only deciding factor; put it in the context of what you think of each school, any financial aid offers, etc. But, yes, as a general rule, the MBA is the more versatile degree.
Good luck,