Is an MBA a status symbol to middle class (and lower UMC) parents?

[Anonymous]

Lots of graduation posts on Facebook right now, with a noticeable volume referencing the young adult child graduated from a BA/MBA program in four or five years (presumably with the aid of AP credits from high school) or they are immediately entering an MBA program this fall. Over ten mentions in the last couple of days. Our social network is generally middle class and lower UMC families, with most of the kids attending regional private colleges and large public universities.

[Anonymous]

It's a status symbol of course! For employers it holds more value to get work experience before starting the mba though.

[Anonymous]

Business is by far the most popular major at American colleges today so you would expect this. No, I don't think it's a "status symbol."

[Anonymous]

It is for the "ROI" parents who are post here rather frequently. But the degree is not at all intellectually rigorous, unless maybe in finance.

[Anonymous]

I was always under the impression the MBA programs you can do with no experience are fairly worthless and have basically no admissions standards. I wonder if this is more a status thing or if degree mill colleges are aggressively pushing them on middle class families because they're a cash cow for the college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is for the "ROI" parents who are post here rather frequently. But the degree is not at all intellectually rigorous, unless maybe in finance.

Employers are giving far larger starting offers to 22 and 23 year old kids with no full-time experience because they have a BA/MBA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is for the "ROI" parents who are post here rather frequently. But the degree is not at all intellectually rigorous, unless maybe in finance.

Employers are giving far larger starting offers to 22 and 23 year old kids with no full-time experience because they have a BA/MBA?

define "far larger"? Depends on the corporation and line of work of course. BTW, most MBA's aren't 22 and 23 year old kids.

[Anonymous]

Necessary for most financial institutions but not a status symbol. I’m in investment banking and the route to promotion is BA, then two years work experience, and then MBA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is for the "ROI" parents who are post here rather frequently. But the degree is not at all intellectually rigorous, unless maybe in finance.

Employers are giving far larger starting offers to 22 and 23 year old kids with no full-time experience because they have a BA/MBA?

define "far larger"? Depends on the corporation and line of work of course. BTW, most MBA's aren't 22 and 23 year old kids.

These graduating young adults are 22 years old with MBAs. The ones entering a one year MBA program will be 23 upon completion. Are they getting larger offers than their peers who only have a BA?

[Anonymous]

It’s a dime a dozen. It is not a status symbol whatsoever. But for employers it does indicate one’s willingness to further their education beyond BS degree.

[Anonymous]

It's a graduate degree. Nothing wrong with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Necessary for most financial institutions but not a status symbol. I’m in investment banking and the route to promotion is BA, then two years work experience, and then MBA.

This, and MBA only counts if from Top 10 business school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a status symbol of course! For employers it holds more value to get work experience before starting the mba though.

Only if it is from a top MBA program and it is relevant for your position. Many people have them from average colleges and they are not valued as much as they expected in the workplace.

[Anonymous]

I guess it gives some snobs another thing look down on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Necessary for most financial institutions but not a status symbol. I’m in investment banking and the route to promotion is BA, then two years work experience, and then MBA.

This, and MBA only counts if from Top 10 business school.

Hmmm. That’s funny. LA and SF i banks and PE firms are filled with Anderson (UCLA business school) grads. I happen to know of several PE funds whose partners are all UVA business school grads.