911 Repair:
Your e-mail reminded me of my mom, who always spoke her mind. For example, when she felt that her daughter-in-law was too into designer clothing, she told a friend that her grandchild's first word was "Visa."
My mom couldn't pass on a putdown and didn't believe in wasting money on designer clothing. These days, I feel the same way about brand-name MBA programs. Sure, Harvard and Stanford have cache, but I'm not sure outside of those two whether it really matters. I've listed some questions to ask, below. For more, check out the "Idiots Guide to Getting Your MBA Online" by George Lorenzo (Alpha, 2005).
What do you hope to get out of the program? You wouldn't get a root canal just for the heck of it. Yet, many people sign up for MBA programs before they ask themselves some really hard questions about where their career is headed. The clearer your focus, the higher the odds you'll end up where you want to be.
Do you have an outmoded view of online programs? Technology is changing everything at work. To be effective today, increasingly you've got to communicate with co-workers you rarely see, work in virtual teams and conduct effective online research. These are all skills that you'll hone in an online MBA program. Many people still have a bias against online programs, but as time goes by they seem better suited to the skills we need to be effective at work today.
Do you contact the program directly via the phone or a visit? Just because the program is online, that doesn't mean you can't give them a call or schedule a visit. Your education about the program shouldn't have to be totally virtual.
How important is a brand name? If you want to get a hot job on Wall Street or a top position at a consulting firm, chances are that a brand-name MBA program will help. But most of us don't need a brand-name school. Heck, many people are just going to continue working for the same company after they get their degree. So ask yourself, is it worth the time, trouble and expense to graduate from a fancy program?
Is there life after the program? Before I enrolled in my MBA program, I contacted a number of graduates to find out what they liked and what they didn't like about the program. I think it's very important to do your due diligence before you make a two-year commitment to something. If the school is hesitant to put you in touch with graduates, hold it against them. You need to go to the source to find out about the program.
Workplace 911 Pulse:
How do you feel about executive education?
- I've got my MBA, 31.4 percent
- I'm going to get a MBA, 34.2 percent
- Here is the 10-foot pole between me and an MBA, 34.2 percent