Should I get my MBA? 24/F, worked 2 yrs -Int’l Banking in Chicago – just moved to Pittsburgh, looking 4 a job.

If your heart’s not completely into it, and you don’t have a pretty good idea what you want to focus on, then don’t put yourself in a position to accumulate more debt right away. Take some temp positions while you search and try to figure out what to do. Big cities often have specialized agencies for financial workers, so it won’t necessarily mean boring admin duties.

Also, do you have contacts or an alumni network you can draw on? Even if they’re back in Chicago, they might have friends of friends where you are.

Getting a good job in Pittsburgh in almost any field is tough, and it will be tough even with an MBA. You could be like everyone else and move to the D.C. area, only 4 hours away and a world of difference when it comes to jobs. I’d rather live in Pittsburgh any day, but this is just where the jobs are.

I was a sweaty clubber without a clue a few years ago in San Francisco. Joining the military was my quick fix and now I’m in the sports industry doing business with Nike, Adidas, etc out on the west coast. (I’m from New Jersey)

You need to set your career goals though before starting the MBA or else you’ll be back to square one like some of my college buddies with MBA – no luck in their job search. I’ve been working for 7 years in sports business and I still dont have the MBA, just a BA in religion & political science double major.

It is NOT absolutely necessary to get the MBA unless you’re climbing the corporate ladder and competing directly with the greasy egos who have them. I am a client of some MBA grads working for large manufacturers, and I psss them off every week because I’m stubborn and I bargain like hell in defense of my own financial interests. It’s like drip water torture.

Food for thought: Women tend to do very well with the MBA credential these days, sometimes better opportunities than men. (search USNews & World Report article on that subject)

My verdict to you is: Get your MBA from PITT, walk straight into their career assistance office and grab one of their binders of job listings. I don’t know of any other reason to be in Pittsburgh than to go to school. You “might” have to work in a restaurant or something temporarily. Nothing wrong with that.

Have a martini 2 olives and good luck!

Ya what were you thinking moving to Pittsburgh???!?!

MBA is critical for mid-level mgmt. positions and above. Not sure if the banking industry has specialized requirements though.

why dont move a little further east..like 10 hrs away in say NYC?

an MBA will definitely give you a boost but find an employer who pays for it……my MBA is going to cost over $70,000 when im done