Business Part II (read only if you're interested in business)

[Big N]

After all these years of graduating with a BA in Business Management/Administration, then getting "decent jobs" here and there, never did I feel the need of going back for my Master's program. In today's age of era, a BA is pretty much a High School diploma. It really doesn't get you anywhere in life or to make a decent salary of $60K-$80K/year. And not to mention the competition , when you're comparing the diversity of higher education of students from foreign exchange students who pretty much just study and study with no social life, to rich students being able to afford tuition a lot easier when they don't have to work and just simply study, study. The economy is in a slump, our main stream TV and Radio is filled with sex, bullshit, politics, and what's "cool" and what's not. Which in fact distance the youth and today's generation away from school academics as much as possible believe it or not. Personally, I am done working with illiterate, uneducated, drama queen, gossiping, non-professional morons. Granted, you could come across people of this kind on any level of professionalism but it would be less and not as dynamic.

So the question is how do one pick the "right" advance degree in the Business field? That being choosing the right path. I know it's mainly about what you like yourself, but you also have to make sure your money's worth while for the investment. Or would one pick their advance degree based on the current events? For example the current Financial crisis has raised new challenges and questions regarding the MBA degree. Graduates of MBA programs have a reported tendency to go into Finance shortly after receiving the degree. As the field of Finance is tightly linked to the global economic downturn, anecdotal evidence suggests new graduates are stepping onto alternate paths. Deans at top business schools have acknowledged media and public perception of the MBA has shown some shifts as a result of the financial crisis. Articles about public perception related to the crisis range from schools' acknowledgment of issues related to the training students receive to criticisms of the MBA's role in society. So how can one find which of these advanced Master's degrees would be most beneficial whether if it's within a corporate executive company, entrepreneurial business, or within international business?

Master of Accountancy (MAcc or MAcy) / Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA, or MPAcc), a postgraduate degree in accounting
Master of Commerce (MCom or MComm), a postgraduate business degree usually focused on a particular area
Master of Economics (M.Econ.)/M.Ec.)
Master of Enterprise (MEnt), a postgraduate, technology & enterprise-based qualification
Master of Bioscience Enterprise (MBioEnt), a postgraduate degree focussed on the commercialisation of biotechnology
Master of Finance (MFin), a postgraduate degree in finance
Master of Health Administration (MHA), a postgraduate health administration degree
Master of International Business (MIB), a postgraduate degree focused on International Business
Master of Management (MM), a postgraduate business degree
Master of Science in Management, a postgraduate business degree
Master of Marketing Research (MMR) a postgraduate degree focusing on research in the field of marketing
Master of Nonprofit Organizations (MNO or MNPO), the postgraduate degree for philanthropy and voluntary sector professionals
Master of Public Administration (MPA), a postgraduate public administration degree
Master of Social Science (MSS), a postgraduate degree
Master of Science in Development Administration (MDA), a postgraduate degree
Master of Project Management (MSPM or MPM), a postgraduate project management degree
Masters of Management: Co-operatives and Credit Unions, a post-graduate degree for co-operative and credit union managers
Master in Sustainable Business (MSB)
Master of Real Estate (MScRE), a postgraduate degree focusing on real estate.


- That being said, there's lots of educated people on this board. If you don't mind drop your 2 cents as it would be appreciated.

P.S. This is BodyBuilding related because we need highly educated, intellectual and sophisticated Business men to save today's BodyBuilding industry and push it to new grounds!

[King Shizzo]

Any one of those masters would be exteremly beneficial.  Most of them sound redundant to be honest.

[hematocritter]

I've got a BS in Business Admin, also looking to go back to school since you are right that it is the new high school diploma.
I keep hearing big things about this one being the one to get......Master of Health Administration (MHA), a postgraduate health administration degree.

[Irongrip400]

I have a BS in psychology with a minor in history. Got a sales job in construction equipment out of college which got me a decent amount of knowledge about what I do now. I went back to school for one semester of grad school, and was like, "fuck this".  I now have my own business, which I have thoroughly crushed my competition, and am doing well. My degree had nothing to do with it. But, I'm not sure if my situation would help, or shed any light on yours, as you seem to be in a different direction. That being said, from what I've seen, your degree gets you your first job, and your resume gets you your subsequent jobs.

[King Shizzo]

I've got a BS in Business Admin, also looking to go back to school since you are right that it is the new high school diploma.
I keep hearing big things about this one being the one to get......Master of Health Administration (MHA), a postgraduate health administration degree.

How would that degree help in the business world?  Unless you wanted to run a hospital or something.

[King Shizzo]

I am 30 and work for Wal-Mart.  Do I get a free Flag nor Fail t-shirt?

[Irongrip400]

I am 30 and work for Wal-Mart.  Do I get a free Flag nor Fail t-shirt?

Definately a fail shirt. 

[mass243]

I am 30 and work for Wal-Mart.  Do I get a free Flag nor Fail t-shirt?

You still have plenty of time to do what you want.

[K-1]

In the end settle down on the degree that is in line with your "hustle" ....something you can talk about all day because it's what you do. It's what you are good at..not the best but good and if you don't know it you will learn it....whatever that "trade/area" is...that is what you need to focus your energy towards. All of your energy.

My little brother 27, no degree, makes over 6 figures in sales, house, cars, no kids, single... he's a hustler, talker, numbers type, won't BS you tell it like it is type.  

My wife has her AS - Marketing Mgmt, BA - Communications and MBA - Leadership. she told me MBA courses plus leadership courses correspond to her trade and what she does today and in future and she was right. It fits her hustle..she is a leader. She likes to resolve issues, get people motivated, raise standards..etc. Very good at her job I must say.

My cousin A.A, BBA - Org. Mgmt, MBA. He does Sr Consulting and Program Management. It's his hustle and he loves doing it. Always was his personality (take charge type)

Me...not a business guy at all....I tried that shit..hated it. Got my AA, BS- IT Network and Systems Engineering and MS in IT about to start PHD in System Engineering (job paying for it so why not..decades from now I plan on retiring as a professor getting paid to teach what I'm doing now)..this is my hustle (besides kicking ass)

In the end it's all about your hustle and how far you are willing to go to get what you are seeking. It's like the guy/gal that has his aeronautical engineering degree and he works in quality assurance for some company...wtf is that shit all about? Get up off your ass and move to wherever the position is needed to gain the experience NOW and move back home later if aeronautical eng is your "love".

If you are not willing to travel for that "job you love" then why get the degree imo. I meet so many people who waste their time just to get a degree and not be willing to leave their area. Software guys that won't move to the valley...umm that's where you need to be..not florida working at Target with a software engineering degree.  

[Radical Plato]

YAWN! Search for the meaning of LIFE! and learn to appreciate what you already have. Invest more in your relationships and help the less fortunate - You already have more than enough and you know it!

[pluck]

In the end settle down on the degree that is in line with your "hustle" ....something you can talk about all day because it's what you do. It's what you are good at..not the best but good and if you don't know it you will learn it....whatever that "trade/area" is...that is what you need to focus your energy towards. All of your energy.

My little brother 27, no degree, makes over 6 figures in sales, house, cars, no kids, single... he's a hustler, talker, numbers type, won't BS you tell it like it is type.  

My wife has her AS - Marketing Mgmt, BA - Communications and MBA - Leadership. she told me MBA courses plus leadership courses correspond to her trade and what she does today and in future and she was right. It fits her hustle..she is a leader. She likes to resolve issues, get people motivated, raise standards..etc. Very good at her job I must say.

My cousin A.A, BBA - Org. Mgmt, MBA. He does Sr Consulting and Program Management. It's his hustle and he loves doing it. Always was his personality (take charge type)

Me...not a business guy at all....I tried that shit..hated it. Got my AA, BS- IT Network and Systems Engineering and MS in IT about to start PHD in System Engineering (job paying for it so why not..decades from now I plan on retiring as a professor getting paid to teach what I'm doing now)..this is my hustle (besides kicking ass)

In the end it's all about your hustle and how far you are willing to go to get what you are seeking. It's like the guy/gal that has his aeronautical engineering degree and he works in quality assurance for some company...wtf is that shit all about? Get up off your ass and move to wherever the position is needed to gain the experience NOW and move back home later if aeronautical eng is your "love".

If you are not willing to travel for that "job you love" then why get the degree imo. I meet so many people who waste their time just to get a degree and not be willing to leave their area. Software guys that won't move to the valley...umm that's where you need to be..not florida working at Target with a software engineering degree.  

Spot on.
Basically when you present a degree to your potential employer they're not concerned in what subfield your Masters is in, it's just a proven piece of paper that you have the ability to learn.

Degrees do open up doors and are great for networking but they're over rated.

For example: My good friend is a branch manager at Chase bank making around $70K salary plus whatever performance bonus. He has his MBA.
ANother friend of mine, no college. He started working as a teller then a personal banker now he's a branch manager at a First Merit bank. They're both 25 & 28 years old.

The MBA friend is about $40K in debt, the no college friend has 0 debt and more money saved. ...you do the math.
I have a few other examples like this...I'm sure others can relate too.

What I'm trying to say is that the key in moving up the business career ladder is now what you know, it's WHO you know.
Networking is key. Take every opportunity you can to rub elbows with your superiors and make good impressions, never miss a chance to talk to someone who might be able to help you down the line or put in a good word for you at a company.

Getting higher education isn't a bad idea but if you're not already moving up the path you want then you might want to reconsider your decision.

[Mattyh7688]

Well, I actually just graduated from Penn State with my MBA and went from undergrad (finance degree) straight to a MBA program. I have a good GPA and fairly good work experience for my age, but I noticed it is still nearly impossible to find a god damn decent job. They expect people with a MBA to have 3-5 years of work experience. I am literally applying for jobs that only required an associates degree. I was told my MBA means they would have to pay me more, or so I was told lol and they don't want that for their lower level jobs. I am on my third interview currently for a job that would be way more than I was expecting in pay and benefits, so I am praying this works out... It is ironic though that I wasn't even getting calls for $40-50k a year jobs, but this came up and I have been nailing the interviews.

If I could do it all over again I would have worked full-time for a few years before my MBA or actually specialized in something. No one seems to give a shit about my MBA, rather than they do work experience.

[240 is Back]

MBA rocks.  I'm working in my underwear at 1 pm watching shawshank redemption.

[pluck]

If I could do it all over again I would have worked full-time for a few years before my MBA or actually specialized in something. No one seems to give a shit about my MBA, rather than they do work experience.

I'm glad you realize this. I have many friends and acquaintances that believe an MBA is the holy grail to the $100K salary and corner office job.

I always tell these people the same thing: It's WHO you know that will help you get to where you want to be...in MOST scenarios.
Network as much as you can! Meet new people!

Also getting an MBA to become an entrepreneur is an EPIC fail. If you can't start a simple business from ground up without a degree then what makes you think an MBA can do that? ...this is in response to the original posting.

I've talked a little shit in the past 2 posts so here's my background:

Did the whole college thing and got a useless Biology degree (had dreams of grandure about going to Med school or Pharm school) ...found out school isn't for me. Worked some crappy jobs for about 2 years and said fuck this. I went to college because of pressure from my family and because I was naive.

Now I have an online mail order business that's steadily growing. I'm not going to lie & say I'm making record profits and growing like crazy but I"m at a place where I am happy. (Bought a Porsche 911 as a treat to myself this year) I love the hustle of getting new sales and finding and making relationships with wholesalers.

[Irongrip400]

YAWN! Search for the meaning of LIFE! and learn to appreciate what you already have. Invest more in your relationships and help the less fortunate - You already have more than enough and you know it!

Do you really believe that?  I'm not attacking, I just don't know what the point of helping those who are in a position they themselves put themselves in. I help neighbors, friends, and family. I believe some service is good for you. I donate to charity, and have done some pr bono work, but that's the extent. I don't have enough, because I still want more. Some level of greed is ok, it drives you to invent and go forward with your ideas. If we were all a bunch of "philosopher kings" your idea would work, but in reality, that's not going to happen.

[pluck]

MBA rocks.  I'm working in my underwear at 1 pm watching shawshank redemption.

Yeah but you're a go getter and a hustler in the sense that you make things happen for yourself.

Getting an MBA and expecting for employers to wait in a line to hire you is a different story.

[240 is Back]

Yeah but you're a go getter and a hustler in the sense that you make things happen for yourself.

Getting an MBA and expecting for employers to wait in a line to hire you is a different story.

good call.  yeah, i cannot imagine getting my mba and thinking i'd just waltz into an interview and tell people what's what.

it's been 6 years since i graduated... 7 maybe lol...
at this point, most of what i've learned has been obsolete or I've forgotten, but that edge, the skillset, the tools, you never lose that.  i'll be talking to someone in line at a grocery store and ideas for a mutually beneficial $ relationship just pops into my head.  there's a sustainable cometitive advantage everywhere ya look.

[K-1]

MBA rocks.  I'm working in my underwear at 1 pm watching shawshank redemption.

That was a great movie. Just watched it a couple weeks ago for first time in long time. Forgot how great it was.

[Radical Plato]

Do you really believe that?  I'm not attacking, I just don't know what the point of helping those who are in a position they themselves put themselves in. I help neighbors, friends, and family. I believe some service is good for you. I donate to charity, and have done some pr bono work, but that's the extent. I don't have enough, because I still want more. Some level of greed is ok, it drives you to invent and go forward with your ideas. If we were all a bunch of "philosopher kings" your idea would work, but in reality, that's not going to happen.

Hard to know what to believe! But personally, and no offence here, I find academics to be very narrow in there outlook, and the more educated the more narrow there outlook becomes!  They appear to excel very well in one particular area, but fail miserably at many other things! (Mainly because of a single minded focus in one particular direction)  I believe it's more important to develop a good attitude, this is far more important than scholastic achievement!  When you die, people don't really care what you achieved academically or professionally.  They just say things like "He was a good man" or alternatively "He was a prick".  To me knowledge and wisdom should be practical and usable in a diverse way, Mainstream education tends to limit people, rather than open them up.  Sure they can achieve status and money,  but it can also be a diversion from seeking a truly uniquely fulfilling life path, I am not suggesting this is your case, but essentially, men need little to survive!  Many great Thinkers have placed an importance on the seeking of happiness, and if you find it through academia and status, that's great, but I have always found those things to be empty and devoid of meaning!  So yeah, to answer your question I do believe those things, but the path to happiness is different for every man - Good Luck with your decision and I will end with a quote from Benjamin Franklin

There are two ways of being happy: We must either diminish our wants or augment our means — either may do — the result is the same and it is for each man to decide for himself and to do that which happens to be easier.

Personally, after pursuing the Western ideal of achievement, money and status, I found it too fickle, I prefer to diminish my wants, it appears this way of living is less susceptible to the whims of fortune! and allows one more time to pursue ones own goals!

[Tapeworm]

Become an expert in business administration.  Take employment administrating someone else's business.

[King Shizzo]

I would make sure to wait after dec. 2012.  Just to make sure 

[King Shizzo]

YAWN! Search for the meaning of LIFE! and learn to appreciate what you already have. Invest more in your relationships and help the less fortunate - You already have more than enough and you know it!

You should go to school to be a dog whisperer.

[Radical Plato]

You should go to school to be a dog whisperer.

Not a dog fan! I prefer cats - Guardians of the Underworld!

[Radical Plato]

I would make sure to wait after dec. 2012.  Just to make sure  

HA HA - I am also curious to see what becomes of the latest apocalypse theory!  Pity the Mayans couldn't predict there own demise!

[Mattyh7688]

I'm sorry to hear that. How much work experience did you have going in to the program?

Well, there was no break going straight from undergrad to grad school. I did however have an internship for a financial firm here for undergrad and a nice title of business analyst lol for a very small start up during my MBA program. I also have various work with supplement companies lol, doing marketing, customer service, and shit like that. I was mainly just a full-time student though and embraced that life.

I was stubborn and stupid wasn't willing to work shitty jobs right out of undergrad. I told myself, oh I have a finance degree why do I need to work these shitty ass $30k a year job. The good thing though is I have networked a ton more in my MBA program through all different types of ways. I am hoping this current job opportunity works out for me, but the fear is not too high yet. My good friend just became a recruiter at PNC Bank, and three other close friends are now higher up there. Also, the older I got the more I connected with older professionals, so I really need to start contacting my connections.