to MBA or not to MBA

[Jonathan]

Those of you considering (or already doing) MBAs, why'd you do it? Is it because you've always wanted to do businessy, managementy type work for a technical enterprise, or something else?

I don't anticipate earning any additional degrees, but if I went back to school I think it would be for a PhD.

[Peijen]

I did it mostly for the management and finance. I didn't take any classes this semester for obviouse reason stated elsewhere.

[VLSmooth]

I'd prefer to get one someday in order to manage larger projects, but I'm still busy with the technical side of things for now.

[quantus]

Those of you considering (or already doing) MBAs, why'd you do it? Is it because you've always wanted to do businessy, managementy type work for a technical enterprise, or something else?

I don't anticipate earning any additional degrees, but if I went back to school I think it would be for a PhD.

The PhD thing really isn't necessary in engineering unless you're working at a large company and want to do more R than D. Most engineers here have a PhD and I contribute more than some of them.

You did research stuff for a PhD student. You know they spend a good portion of their time doing random shit instead of their research. All you're gonna prove by getting the degree is that you can waste your time in somewhat constructive ways instead of completely useless ones.

[Jonathan]

I would only consider getting a PhD in a field outside my realm of experience, e.g. quantum computer architecture.

[quantus]

that's a good use of a PhD then.

[Jason]

I'm considering whether to do an MBA, PhD, or JD. I'm sure I'll do one at some point (maybe more than one), but not sure which and when. I would do the MBA before I started a company. The PhD would be required in order to become a chief scientist at any of the local companies or organizations around here. I would do the JD if I wanted to effect policy changes.

It's still too early right now to see which I actually wouldn't mind doing and also trying to figure out what the political landscape is for doing those things. I'm still deciding on whether it's worth it to jump companies for a pay increase. Is it worth it to leave the known for the unknown for another 20-30k? How much worse can another project be? How much bureaucracy can I really handle? Can I work in an environment ... where no one knows what they're doing? where the boss doesn't know what they're doing? where the technology is old and I need to learn something I'll never use again? and loads more questions.