Should I Pursue an MBA?
Everywhere I look lately I have been seeing the billboards for AUM, the American University of the Middle East. It’s a newly established private university in association with Purdue University. They’re accepting applicants to begin in October 2008.
I googled the university and found nothing about it. It’s a fresh university which means it’s not accredited. Is it worth the risk starting an MBA course at a university with no credibility? The only thing going for it is that it’s associated with Purdue University. According to their website the Krannert School of Management was the No. 1 MBA program in 2004 and 2005.
I had previously considered enrolling in Kuwait Maastricht Business School but several people advised me against it. I took their advice because they had first-hand knowledge. They were attending the program and told me some of its flaws. Among their complaints were the fact that the instructors were difficult to understand and didn’t teach well, the low caliber of the students, and quality of the program. They all advised me that if I wanted to pursue an MBA to go abroad.
There are a few reasons why I can’t go abroad to pursue higher education, among them are:
- I can’t afford to pay for tuition and living expenses abroad. I’d need a scholarship to help me out and my GPA isn’t good enough to qualify for a scholarship.
- I prefer doing a part-time MBA because I don’t want to quit my job and have to go through the job search all over again in a year or two. I’m happy where I am and don’t want to risk the alternative. Also included is the opportunity cost. An MBA in Kuwait doesn’t count for much. If you’re lucky your workplace will increase your salary by KWD 50. I haven’t heard of anyone with an MBA who has benefited greatly from having one.
Why get an MBA then? When it comes to the future I always imagine the worst possible outcome. I don’t want to come to a point in time when I will get passed over a promotion or if I have to leave Kuwait and the only jobs I can get require an MBA. I would hate an opportunity to pass me by because I didn’t have the educational requirements. An MBA may not count for much in Kuwait now but it might open many more doors in the future.
I’ve called AUM for more information (2240169) and they haven’t gotten back to me yet so I’ll keep you updated. If anyone has any thoughts on the issue I’d love to hear them. I’d be interested to know if you have an MBA and if it’s done anything towards your career or career path.
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I understand and share your feelings.
There’s undeniably a “post-grad degree” craze sweeping Kuwait, so most of my thoughts about grad school is tainted by this fear of being left behind.
Personally, I wouldn’t enroll in an unaccredited program because “hello Kuwait!” the accreditation process might go any which way, or they may change the requirements, or you know…it might rain and your hair might frizz, or they may not like you or something.
Let us know what you decide. I’m interested.
Is it worth giving in to that fear G.E&B? I can’t help but think that my job experience will be more valuable than any degree I can gain. Most of the time I feel an MBA is a waste of time & money, especially when faced with the reality that my options aren’t anywhere near top MBA programs.
I think you should go ahead for you MBA but I would suggest go for accredited university as you will be working hard equally so why to go for a university which has just newly opened.
Second, I think everyone is right about Kuwait Maastricht Business School. I had my worse experience with them. I got registered I paid and then 2 weeks later they said we need your degree to be attested from England and till then you can continue.. They were not even ready to return my money back. I hated them for that!!
Then later I realised that doing an MBA is waste of time as my experience counts more so I dropped the idea. So think before you start..Good Luck
I do think experience is more important than a MBA.
I always tell my friends (who are all doing post-grad degrees including one who’s doing a degree in Information Science…yes seriously) that a degree for the sake of getting a degree is a waste of time. If you’re in management &/ related fields and an MBA would be beneficial than go for it. But they always say…it can’t hurt.
Personally, I’m holding out for a KU scholarship in my field because I’d love to teach at the university (ooh research…possibilities are endless).
The non-Kuwaiti in me says talk to someone in your field about how beneficial an MBA is (depending on your field that might be easier said than done).
What are your long term goals? Do they include a husband and children? If so, graduate school becomes more complicated once the babies start coming (says one who knows.)
If you can find a good program, do it now. At the end of the day, having an advanced degree can give you an edge, and an advanced degree WITH experience gives you even more. Now is a great time, if you can do both, and I am betting you can.
More education is an investment in YOURSELF.
It DOES matter.
Amu I am beginning to think that experience will be more important for me in the long run. Your story makes me wonder, hasn’t anybody had a good experience with Maastricht??
G.E&B the MBA would be beneficial in my career path but with the options I have I think it would be a waste of time and effort. I’m planning to write more in the future about my career and what I want in the future so stay tuned!
Intlxpatr those are very important questions you raise. The truth is, I don’t know. I’m planning on covering that in future posts. Maybe through writing I can uncover more about what I want to do. An MBA is beneficial to my career path but not with the options I have available to me.
Kuwaiti Woman,
I do not have an MBA, but I do have an advanced degree. What I can tell you from my experience is that you may not have a direct, immediate use for the degree the moment you finish it. What the degree _will_ do is open up new horizons for you - both in terms of new opportunities and new directions, and also in terms of how you see yourself: as someone with new skills and new value.
I agree with Amu about the accredited university. You want a degree that will translate wherever you go - whether that be around the world or working with foreign colleagues right here in Kuwait.
And bottom line: I’m happy for you that you are considering the MBA. Good for you - and my aunt is right: you are your own best investment
!
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