I have my bachelors in marketing. What's everyone's opinion on getting a masters, if you're already working in sales? What doors could it open?
TheDeplorable
Advice needed- Is a master’s degree worth it?
36
Just get in the hole 10s of thousands, if you're in sales just learn about your industry, no point in going back to school they wont teach you how to sell, going out there and working will.
Wholeheartedly agree. I'd only recommend going back to school for someone who can do it without going into debt, without it affecting their job or personal commitments, and who has no expectations from it aside from gaining knowledge about something they're interested in.
Agree. I am finishing up paying for my bachelors… don’t think i want to do that again
I studied a masters degree before I get into professional sales and I can tell you it was a waste of time and money. I could have used the time in uni to enhance my selling skills and invested the money instead. I’m still seeing loads of people without a masters degree who are ahead because they have more years of experience. Unless you want to study masters to specialise in a certain technical field, in that case maybe it’s worth it.
Yeah MBA is a total waste of time and money. You're going to learn more in the field and the MBA won't open any doors that you can't open yourself with a little hard work and networking
I am starting to see this more and more. Thanks for the feedback
Nope nope. I thought going to a top uni would open doors for me and guess what it did? Nada, only got myself in debt...
I appreciate the honesty. Thanks fkr the heads up
Unless your company will pay for it and it won't interfere with personal life (i.e. keep you away from SO and kids) it's not worth it.
Very true. Family first
If you're looking to go into management, an MBA will help. It's not an automatic entry into management, but the knowledge and connections you make will definitely help. Hopefully you work at a company that gives tuition reimbursement to take the financial strain off you.
This makes sense. I think i csn make more money selling rather than managing. Thanks for the advice
You'll definitely make more selling than managing if you're a good salesman. Managing is profitable later on (Director level+), but starting out you take a pay cut. Top salespeople at top companies usually make a fortune though.
Thats good to know. You’re right too. Too reps at my company out earn their leaders
An MBA will go a long way with large corporations, but otherwise its rather unnecessary unless you go to a top tier school. I say that knowing several people in different walks of life who have benefitted from one or have found it to be useless for their industry.
I could see that. And those top tier schools are way too expensive
Well I have 3 master degrees and I don t use any of it in my job. I got them because studying is basically free in Belgium.
if you need to go into debt. Don’t do it.
if you need to go into debt. Don’t do it.
Haha i appreciate the honesty. That is still impressive though… for what it is worth
Definitely do your research beforehand. I would say if you wanted to leave sales and build upon your BSc then it maybe good to get some more experience to move away from it but otherwise carry on smashing what you are doing and that in itself will open doors!
Good advice. Will do, thank you
I think it depends. I currently make my master in digital management and the content is absolutely relevant for my daily work in sales, understanding the customers business challenges and initiatives. I learn things about enterprise architecture, agile, digital business models, etc.
My employer pays for it, but I think I would also consider it if they wouldn’t, as I don’t have many private obligations yet!
It brings you on a next level, but you should really think about what you want to achieve and which content/subject helps you to evolve.
That’s true! Definately should be thought out first. Looks like it was a good decision for you
If you have the cash to "blow" without going into debt, I highly recommend looking into investments and/or starting your own business. A master’s degree is definitely a nice plus, but from a ROI standpoint, bet on yourself and start a company. Drop-ship on Amazon or provide some service. Master's degrees can't teach you anything you won't relearn or unlearn in the real world. I think education is great, but don't go into debt for it.
Top tip: tell your employer you're interested in higher learning and see if they will help fund you upskilling yourself! Win win!
Top tip: tell your employer you're interested in higher learning and see if they will help fund you upskilling yourself! Win win!
Thats a good point- “dont go into debt for it”
If you want to be in Sales and make money/progress in the company? Then No!
Thank you, this seems to be the popular opinion
My opinion is: zon’t zo it.
Noted
I completed a Masters along with several of my undergrad friends, I'd say around 15 people I knew did one (various courses) not a single one now works in a role related to it, me included. However, if the MSc in Marketing would be required for future roles, maybe think about taking it when it is needed and not just for the sake of it!
Good advice! Thank you
learn + practice + repeat.
I like it. And I didn't have to go 50K in debt for this lol
there you go - also you can leverage all the content we post here. Great books, experiences, tactics, and templates.
Good advice, thank you!
Truthfully I’d only do it if my company paid for it.
I may ask my company about this!
If you want it, then go for it. Nothing else matters.
I do but don't want debt.....2 edged sword haha
I think about this all the time. Sometimes I look online and there are more affordable options. like 14k.
Thats not bad at all. I think its more the time commitment
completely agree. That year would would honestly suck
No way. There is no door that would open that having a good track record and hitting quota wouldn't- and that puts money in your pocket instead of blowing money on a degree that wont matter.
Not true, companies like Amazon and Google require it for executive or even other senior roles. Or they "strongly" encourage it and will not consider anyone without it.
That isn’t true either. My brother has a senior role at Amazon and he only has a bachelors in computer science.
You are right, not impossible but look at their job positngs they say MBA preferred and heavily weigh that.
Absolutely not. Only way you should do it, is if your company pays for it, and it leads to growth within the company.
Good point. I will look into that
Depends on what industry and role you're planning the future. Personally, I wouldn't waste the time and money unless it's worth the network.
True. I am in SAAS. I am learning that sales numbers speak louder than degrees
No. Experience first.
Seems like nothing beats experince
Find some company to pay for it. Tuition reimbursement is a great perk.
Ill look into that
In my industry it doesn’t seem to make a difference, just comes down to work experience
Very true. Product knowledge and make the most dials lol
Like everything else in life, you get out of it what you put in. MBA for sales success is not necessary.
Thats solid advice
The best reason to get a masters degree is to leave sales. If it's an MBA, I wouldn't do it unless it were a top 10 program and you were trying to get into consulting or finance.
I got accepted into an MBA program back in the end of 2018 at a local college. It's a state school with a good name, but it wasn't prestigious. I ran a LinkedIn search of folks with an MBA from that school and those people didn't have the types of job I wanted.
I got accepted into an MBA program back in the end of 2018 at a local college. It's a state school with a good name, but it wasn't prestigious. I ran a LinkedIn search of folks with an MBA from that school and those people didn't have the types of job I wanted.
Thats smart. Never thought to use linkedin like that! Thank you
I asked my manager if it was worth getting an MBA and she laughed and said no. An old country manager had an MBA, was made redundant and couldn't find another job for 9 months.
MBAs are a dime a dozen these days. I know you said "master's" degree, but most sales professionals I know go for an MBA. An MBA is really only worth it (and then arguably so) if you can get into an elite top 25 program: Stanford, UPenn, Harvard, Northwestern, etc. Even then, it's so freaking expensive you could spend that time improving your selling skills/hire a sales trainer. If you want to get into management, it maybe worth it, but if your plan is to stay in sales I don't recommend.
If your dream career requires it, definitely worth it! If you want the extra knowledge because you are passionate about it, definitely worth it!
If neither of those apply, it's just another way for someone to judge your worth before they get to know you.
If neither of those apply, it's just another way for someone to judge your worth before they get to know you.
Yeah - A Masters Degree in Networking. A degree is appreciated, as long as you know the people that can get you where you want to use it.
It really depends on what you're after in terms of career, and what's "normal" just to say it one way, in the industry you work for. Some companies no longer care about BSs anymore, and some others don't care about masters either.
That being said, my personal opinion is that money spent on one's own education is always money well spent.
That being said, my personal opinion is that money spent on one's own education is always money well spent.
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