10 Years From Starting My MBA: Definitely worth it!

This goes out to anyone from the Philippines still finding my blog after more than a decade of it being up 😊

I started my MBA in August 2012, and graduated in May 2014. Let me just say that taking my MBA abroad led to opportunities that I never would have expected when I first started applying, and I am quite happy with where my journey has taken me.

A lot has already changed since I wrote most of these blog entries, so the information here is probably not as accurate or applicable anymore. But do know that there are people and resources available if you are interested in pursuing higher education outside the Philippines. Don't be afraid to ask questions (or even negotiate scholarships if it comes to it!), and don't be afraid to ask for help! There are others like me who have taken the path before you who could help you on your way.

Former child actress in Hult

Just found it interesting.

Meet former child wonder Serena Dalrymple

Hult's Master of International Business can be an alternative for those coming out of undergrad, with no or little previous work experience.

MBA Alternative: MS Engineering Management

So... are you an engineer looking for some formal management training to complement your technical background? Thinking of taking an MBA? Thinking whether an MBA will be right for you? Well, lucky you, I just found out a few days ago about this grad course which you can consider alongside the MBA: the MS Engineering Management degree.

I've heard rumors that no Filipino has yet earned an MS Engineering Management degree from the US. Why is this significant? Well, I think that such a course taken abroad will give a student much more exposure to industry, not to mention the golden opportunity to interact with foreign faculty, students and institutions. The foreign curriculum could also be much more advanced -- example, is decision science being taught locally?

The business training is similar to what you receive in an MBA course, but is adjusted for those with engineering or science backgrounds (read: heavier focus on quantitative courses). If you want a technical management role in a business or a management role in a technology company, then, who knows, this might be what you're looking for. As a prominent local IT practitioner told me, MS EM applies engineering methodology in solving business problems.

I did some digging around and found that there are a lot of schools offering this degree in the US, and that there are six top schools that have formed a consortium to promote this fledgling course. They are (in no particular order):

• Cornell University (MBA school: Johnson)
• Dartmouth College (MBA school: Tuck)
• Duke University (MBA school: Fuqua)
• Massachussett's Institute of Technology (MBA school: Sloan)
• Northwestern University (MBA school: Kellogg)
• Stanford University

(Click the link of each school to go straight to their engineering management graduate program page.)

This course doesn't have the fame and prestige of the MBA yet, but I think it's picking up. In the Philippines, UP offers a similar course (Masters in Technology Management). I believe the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila also has an engineering management curriculum. But, no, this is not equivalent to Ateneo's BS Management Engineering course. I'm talking about a Master's course for those with a college degree in engineering.

If you're flip-flopping between taking this course or an MBA, then I suggest that you take the GRE instead of the GMAT. (Hardly any schools accept the GMAT. There are schools that don't require any test though.) Some schools have similar requirements as those of the MBA: recommendation letters, essay, TOEFL, etc. The application fee is much, much lower though.

Apply real early for the MS EM because fellowships are not that abundant as in the case of the MBA. (There are several possible explanations for this: graduates find it very easy to repay the loans, relatively fewer alumni translates to fewer alumni donations/sponsorships, etc.)

A definite advantage of the MS EM over the MBA is that it only takes one year to earn the degree. A definite disadvantage is that it can be as expensive as a one-year MBA.

MBA Alternative: MIS degree (for IT folks)

For those of you in IT and who are aiming to advance your IT careers, this might be worth checking out. I know that an MBA isn't for everybody, and it's not practical to invest time, effort and money in a degree that isn't what you need. So I'll let you in on a little secret: an MIS degree costs much, much less than an MBA, can be finished in a shorter timeframe than the usual 2 years, has good career prospects even in the US and has management courses as part of the curriculum. There are even schools that offer MBA courses as MIS electives! So what do you think?

Here are some schools offering the MIS degree:

1. Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College - MISM degree
Carnegie Mellon is one of the leading US schools in the field of IT (usually ranked after MIT). There's a one-year track for applicants with at least three years of work experience, a 16-month track for those with less than three years of work experience, and a 21-month global track that includes a period of study in Carnegie's Australia campus. If you think the US is too far for you, you can check out the IT graduate courses available in the Australia campus. I know someone who got a 50%-tuition MISM fellowship to the US campus so getting grants isn't impossible. There are a lot of Asians (read: Indians and Chinese) taking this course so being Filipino would set you apart. Plus, the job placement and salary stats are impressive.

2. Indiana University (Bloomington)'s Kelley School of Business - MSIS degree
Again, a top-ranked, reputable school with impressive job placement and salary stats. International students can finish the course in three semesters. Among the schools, this has the earliest application deadline for international applicants: around November before the year you plan to start. If you plan to enter on Fall 2013, you have to apply by the November deadline this 2012. I think this course leans more toward business than IT.

3. University of Arizona's Eller College of Management - MIS degree
Eller has a strong reputation in the field of IT. Their MIS degree is also less expensive than those offered by Heinz and Kelley, and can be finished in 16 months. The placement stats are pretty good, but I don't think the salary stats are as high as the above two schools. There are a lot of Asians taking this course as well. If you want to check this out, you should keep in mind that the climate in Arizona can be hotter and drier than the tropical climes we are accustomed to in the Philippines.

4. University of Washington's Foster School of Business - MSIS degree
This is a relatively young course compared to the others. The MSIS degree can be finished in a year, and the courses take place during evenings and weekends. This means this course is ideal for those with full-time work; or, if you're an international student, this course will enable you to take a part-time campus job during the day. This is the least inexpensive of those listed here; no placement and salary stats released as of this time.

I chose to list these four because they require taking the GMAT exam. There are a lot of other schools offering the MIS degree (such as NYU Stern) but require taking the GRE. Be sure to check the admission requirements and program courses when choosing schools.

I checked the application fees for these MIS degrees, and they were way, way lower than MBA app fees! (MIS: app $75, MBA: app $200) So that alone shows you how much of a financial investment you need with an MBA. Anyway, hope this post helps you in some way -- good luck with your decision!