INSEAD vs. US$300k stable job

Question

A bit of background - I am 31 and work in Singapore in a relatively niche yet high growth service company. I've been with the firm for 7 years and am in a relatively senior position with couple dozens people working under me. Before that I spent a few years as research analysts at a market research firm. I enjoy being in management as I enjoy the high degree of flexibility in deciding what I work on and when I work on certain things. I get to travel for business on my own terms and have MBAs working for me as well. However, I've always wanted to get an MBA to not only improve myself but broaden my long-term career flexibility. I only applied to INSEAD since I prefer the 1-year format and its reputation and alumni network in Asia; I also don't see myself working in US at all since Asia offers much more attractive growth opportunities.

Now that I got admitted, I have found it difficult to finally decided whether I should leave my current job. While I know it's not definite, it will likely take me a few more years to climb back to a management role with such degree of autonomy. I will also give up a US$300k job (roughly 2/3 of which is salary) while likely getting paid much lower after school (based on INSEAD's employment report). The decision is made more difficult with the recent coronavirus situation and an inevitable recession. I feel that I will give up quite a bit financially however I also feel that I will ultimately not regret it if I end up going to INSEAD, as I will gain a life-long network and new perspective.

Assuming things get back to normal by summer (MBAs will not be online because of COVID-19 and visas are approved again), I am hoping to get some additional views on whether I should bite the pill and go to INSEAD.

chiefinance · Answer

Assuming things get normal, it would be hard to argue doing a full-time MBA in your case unless if there's a particular experience you want to gain. Is it not possible to do an Executive or part-time MBA from a prestigious business school? Well, my opinion may be colored by the fact that I work in an environment in which despite having close to 8 years work experience and significant work experience, I earn less than US$20,000; this still places me among the top 5%-10% of earners in my environment. So, for me, doing an MBA makes sense. As for you, the only reason a full-time MBA would make sense is if you were a romantic or an idealist hung up on prestige.

Mo2men · Answer

Congrats for your admit

When I read your situation, only one idea about the reason of doing MBA. The ultimate goal is to get a good job with good salary. When you go to one of the elite schools such as INSEAD you want to reserve spot to lead you to the end path (good job). However, in your case, you have a really highly paid job with senior position. So my question is why you wan to do an MBA. You said broaden your experience, which is a good intention but the question is if you can give up this position and salary and will return back to same pay and position after doing MBA . Form my view, it is hard to imagine that you can get same everything after MBA. You can review employment report and see. Also, the job market may take some time, no one sure yet, to recover from corona virus and its effect in economy. The best positive look is taking up to one year to start recover not having full momentum. The corona virus accelerated the recession which had symptoms in many countries from last year such as Germany but I do not know much about Asian market.

Maybe you won't regert going to INSEAD but at end the vide of INSEAD will end after the MBA and life long netwrok may help you in short term but not that long. If I were you, I would think in the following options:

1- Talk to my employer if they can sponsor me for one year when go to INSEAD or at least reach sort of agreement to return back. or

2- Doing executive MBA/ part time MBA in INSEAD or other big schools ion Asia such as National University of Singapore or others. or

3- Doing Online MBA with good schools.

Again, this is me and how I see your opportunity from my perspective

Good luck

bb · Answer

Congrats on your dilemma. Not all leaders have an MBA and MBA is not always the best path and the best answer. A full time MBA is an interruption to the career. Most people going for an MBA do want to interrupt their career because it is not going as they wish or expected. However, in some cases if you have the good thing going, why interrupt and potentially start over... Which is why weekend and executive MBA's exist such as HKUST/Kellogg that provide the challenge and prestige without disrupting one's career track. Since it does not seem you want to get into consulting really, INSEAD's strength will be somewhat underutilized.

One question is whether your job will be impacted by COVID-19. It seems you believe it won't be, which is good. Usually people flock to Business School during the recession so if economy does slow down, it s a good option. I feel with your age, if you don't pursue a FT program shortly, you will be getting into the EMBA area (and likely rightfully so - you would be in the class with other execs paid similar amounts as opposed to a bunch of hungry students)... I am thinking you would probably get more from an EMBA ...

One unique opportunity and option you may have is to defer your start date a year due to the outbreak. Some schools have started hinting at it. Not sure if that will be an option across the board but something to consider and have it as an option in your back pocket.

StratusDonna · Answer

Hi  timilon , Congratulations on having choices-- but as you see-- sometimes those choices are not so easy. We are looking at unprecedented situations right now-- so a lot of this depends on your risk profile. It is risky to leave a good job right now-- when the prospects for employment in 1 year could be difficult still. However, if you are able to negotiate a 1 yr leave of absence with the option to return then you might be able to knock out the MBA now in just a year and not miss too much of a beat at work. At 31, EMBA programs in the US are likely your best bet going forward but INSEAD's class profile skews a bit older than US programs so you would not be too out of place there. This is truly a question only you can answer-- depending on your risk tolerance! Best wishes as you decide. I will say that an MBA is also a gift to yourself in having that chance to step back and reevaluate your choices and goals and reset so if you have the savings and are comfortable taking this bet you would have that network and background for the rest of your career-- which at only 31 is still a pretty long horizon! Good luck to you!

test123123123 · Answer

What was your decision in the end?

INSEAD vs. US$300k stable job

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