Hi all,
I’m currently at a crossroads regarding an MBA and would really value this community’s perspective.
Background:
• 29M, based in India, Bachelor’s in Engineering. Worked in top global pharma consulting and Indian fintech companies and now in a Not-for-profit organization for for 4 years. 760 in GMAT.
• On a decent/good growth trajectory both professionally and financially.
The dilemma:
I’m unsure whether pursuing an MBA makes sense at this stage. A traditional 2-year MBA feels like a big commitment:
• Opportunity cost (both financially and career-wise)
• Personal factor: I’m married, so being away from my wife for \~2 years is a significant consideration
Because of this, I’ve been exploring 1-year programs such as:
• Kellogg 1 year
• Kellogg MBAi 18 months
• Cornell Tech 1 year
• IESE Business School 15 months
• CBS J-term 16 months
However, I keep reading that 1-year MBAs can be risky (especially due to lack of internship and recruiting timelines) but the placement reports of these programs are solid. The decision is hard.
Why I’m considering an MBA:
To avoid being filtered out for senior leadership roles in the future due to lack of a top-tier MBA
To increase my long-term earning potential
My question:
Given my current trajectory, does pursuing a 1-year MBA make sense? Or would I be better off continuing to grow in my current role without an MBA?