Something to chew on....

Question

If nothing else, you've got to give them credit for honesty. This article is about as 'real' as it gets...
 https://media.www.harbus.org/media/storage/paper343/news/2007/09/04/Features/Alumni.Perspective-2946965.shtml

emoryhopeful · Answer

Wow, that's a pretty harsh article. I'd have to say the experience is going to be different for everyone. I, personally, don't feel that the MBA is going to make or break my career, but hopefully open a door that I didn't have opened before. It's all up to each individual to make of it what they can. I'm sure the numbers will never be a 100 percent success rate, but I think most of us go into the MBA experience with some realistic expectations while also allowing ourselves to dream big.

Still, very interesting article.

gixxer1000 · Answer

I think it helps prove the point that most of the people who get accepted to HBS are the people who don't need to go to HBS, because they would be successful otherwise. It pretty much a case of the haves and haves not.

dosa_don · Answer

"Having a degree from HBS not only does not ensure a fair shake, but might make you a target because you will be held to a higher standard and co-workers or superiors might resent your degree."

I think this "might" be possible in an industry that does not have many MBA's but dont think it would be in IB/Consulting/GM etc...

Interesting article though...

bherronp · Answer

I think reality is probably somewhere between his bitter "truth" and the bright, shiny hopes that we all have.

ishcabibble · Answer

Hmmm... Interesting article. However, while reading it I tried to keep in mind that most of the experiences he spoke about occurred almost 30 years ago. Also, he seems very bitter that he was not just handed his high-level dream job upon graduation. 

I totally agree with what  emoryhopeful  said in that I'm not expecting the world handed to me on a silver platter upon graduation, but rather I'm just hoping for a few doors to open into what I think would be a more satisfying career track.

One thing that kind of upsets me is that I've seen in several articles the MBA referred to as an "expensive piece of paper". It's as if no one  actually  goes to class or learns anything new in b-school. Especially for a career-changer like myself, I plan on learning  lots  of new things in b-school in a way that will be immediately applicable in the business world. But maybe that's just me...

aurobindo · Answer

Thanks for the thought provoking article !!!

Now, the first thought that came to my mind is this: Am I screwing up by applying to these top schools?

kidderek · Answer

Wow that's a caustic response. I think there is some truth to it, but with most thing in life, you get back what you put in. I'm sure this guy didn't drink the cool aid and was a downer for everyone to deal with. Actually, reminds me of myself about 10 years ago, when I was an immature kid with the confidence of youth and illusions of grandeur.

kripalkavi · Answer

I'm with you on the knowledge and experience front 'cause I am a career changer too. I personally believe that the MBA is a tremendous lelarning experience. And no, I'm not just saying that 'cause some ad-com might be reading this post. :-)

If it were just a piece of paper, it wouldn't be as highly regarded as it is. Its gotta mean *something* right?!? Still, in the end, the article reiterates the fact that it's the person behind the MBA who ultimately matters, and not the MBA itself.

kryzak · Answer

wow... his IS bitter!

There is a reason why I want to get out of the corporate environment and do entrepreneurship... when you work for the corporate, you're always working for "The Man".

Anyway, not sure if HBS already fixed all the "problems" he described, but that sounds pretty brutal for a school to do that to its own students. I think I'll stick with Stanford for now

kripalkavi · Answer

Yet, HBS went ahead and published his interview on the weekly student newsletter. That's pretty cool, I must say.

aurobindo · Answer

Yeah. Interesting response from HBS.

kryzak · Answer

Well, Harbus is an "independent" student newsletter, right? I don't think HBS had a say in it, and the students probably decided it was good to have this information out there. If the HBS had any approval power, it wouldn't be an "independent" newsletter, would it? :wink:

aurobindo · Answer

Got the answer. Deleting post.

kripalkavi · Answer

Point taken. On a side note: How independent do you really think these 'independent' newsletters are?

mNeo · Answer

Well, it's an independent student weekly. Not really Harvard publishing the article directly.

Anyway, I think that the author sounded a little bitter. Moreover, the complaints are about the 70s. Things have changed since then (hopefully). Moreover, as bherronp said, reality is perhaps somewhere between what this article says and what we all wishfully feel about our favorite schools. A student at a top 3 B-school told me that once you reach a B-school, the first few weeks / months make you come down to earth and see the future more realistically - and this happens at every school. That reality check is a necessary part of the growth that you get at the B-school.

You know which school I am refering to, when I say a top 3 school :wink:

ncp · Answer

Ya. That would be YOUR school, at least according to the crystal ball ;-)

aurobindo · Answer

Thats true. But the corporate environment is toxic, in many places. Is n't it? I have felt that disgust whenever bosses try to shove the work.. I agree that MBA experience is interesting, and there are many things to learn from batchmates. However, are we going to learn skills that are important in corporate world? For example, at senior management level how much more business we can bring in is much more important than any thing else. See current iGate CEO. Yes. I am talking of Phaneesh Murthy who was kicked out of Infosys. How much we can squeeze out of our subordinates is another indicator of our capability. Do I also sound bitter? Thats what I have noticed in the last 5 years

I guess thats how the great game goes on..we better learn the rules of the game

Praetorian · Answer

This is unfortunate. I feel sorry for the guy, but this should not have been a surprise. Anytime you come from a elite school, you are in a tiny minority and you will be held to a different standard. 

The person interviewed seems like a genuine guy, but I don't think anyone should be so naive as to think that they will be paid hundreds on thousands of dollars and not be expected to 'walk on water', so to speak.

kryzak · Answer

You mean Stanford, Haas, UCLA? :wink:

aurobindo: I hear ya buddy... try working in the defense industry for 6 years and you get to see some pretty ugly stuff too... :shock:

Something to chew on....

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