For most of us, this is a question about long-term goals and working environment preferences. Combining an MBA with your STEM skills would prove valuable in situations that require leaders who can wear many hats—lab managers, project team leaders, entrepreneurs or anyone at a startup.
But what if I am unsure about my career path?
An MBA can be a skeleton key, allowing you to explore not just related, but entirely distinct industries. An MBA can also act as a vector to new aspects of your existing field, such as sales or marketing.
But, an MBA isn’t always the best choice. Many STEM career paths are best served by the expert trajectory that pursues deeper specialization through an advanced degree.
Try a quantitative evaluation
Investopedia estimates the average cost of an MBA program to range from $100,000 to $200,000, inclusive of tuition and fees. Check out Marvin Dumont’s article “The Real Cost of an MBA” to consider other factors such as full-time or part-time, employer tuition reimbursement and other opportunity costs.
Compare the full cost of an MBA, in terms of money, but also in terms of time, energy and quality of life trade-offs, with the career boosts you expect after graduating. Are you comfortable with that exchange?
Join WEST and Suffolk University on November 13th to hear what four panelists—some of whom have an MBA and some who don’t—think you should consider.
