u/Blue_Petrole

Hi everyone,

I’ve been seriously thinking about whether pursuing an MBA is actually the right long-term decision for me, and I wanted some honest perspectives from people who have either gone through top MBA programs or decided against them.

A little about my profile:

• 10th: 83%
• 12th: 92%
• B.Tech from a top NIT
• CGPA: 8.5
• Graduated in 2024
• Currently working at a top-tier global finance firm in a software engineering/tech role since Aug 2024
• Base salary: ~20 LPA
• Around 3 months of internship experience before full-time conversion
• GEM candidate

From what I understand, I probably have a decent shot at top IIMs if I score well enough in CAT, but I’m struggling more with the bigger question:

Should I even switch from tech to an MBA path in the first place?

What I’m trying to understand is how the long-term future compares between:

1. Staying in software/tech and growing there vs
2. Doing an MBA from a top IIM and pivoting into consulting/product/finance/management roles

Some things I’d really appreciate insight on:

• Long-term monetary upside in both paths (10–20 years down the line)
• Work-life balance differences as careers progress
• Career stability and stress levels
• Ceiling for compensation and growth
• Whether an MBA genuinely opens doors that are difficult to reach through tech alone
• Whether people with profiles similar to mine usually feel the MBA was worth the cost/opportunity cost

I know this is subjective and depends on interests too, but I’d love to hear practical opinions from people who’ve seen both sides.

Thanks a lot!