E_Money

💰

Are MBAs still relevant?

I've heard both arguments to this question: experience is more important these days and degrees like an MBA are just money pits or things like an MBA make you stand out and are absolutely necessary for professional growth.

So my question for those who have them is, was it worth it? and for those who don't, would you get one? Why or why not?

What do you think Sales Savages??

Are MBAs worth it?

Attached poll

Yes No

*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.

🚀 Career Goals

✌️ Growing Pains

🤷‍♂ Poll

53 comments

Sort by:

softwarebro

Politicker

Sales Director

I've thought about it for a few years.. when I look at the M7 specifically, the starting salaries w/ bonus are much less than I currently make. It's been my experience that sales is more of a street smarts role, not something you learn in a book.

Hughmondo

Head of Business Development

Agree. I don't see the value in Sales. If you plan to climb the ladder into more of an operational role at a major corp then I somewhat see the advantage, but beyond that...

softwarebro

Politicker

Sales Director

Exactly.

Senor

Contributor

CEO

Agreed, for most sales that’s 100% true.

saygrace

Valued Contributor

Sales Executive

@softwarebro M7?

BulkPony

Tycoon

Enterprise Account Executive

As an IC and with no plans to change that, I don't really see any value in an MBA. I have friends who have moved into Manager/VP roles that are seriously considering an MBA because they see it as vital to moving up the ladder.

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

Yeah this seems to be the most common divide, but I have held both types of roles and still haven't felt the need to get one.

MarvinthesalesMartian

FSM

The only MBA I would think about is Business Analytics/Intelligence, outside of that I really don't see the value.

LordBusiness

Politicker

Chief Revenue Officer

The only ones I think that for me would provide the most relevance are just SO EXPENSIVE, the juice just isn't worth the squeeze.

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

The cost is definitely a HUGE factor

Captain_Q

Arsonist

-2

Sr. Account Executive

Cost is only a HUGE factor if you don't BELIEVE in yourself.

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

Fair, but I can't BELIEVE $100,000 into my bank account to pay for it

classicrunningman

Good Citizen

Enterprise Business Development Representative

Can't tell if this is a meme comment or real ....

JuicyKlay

Celebrated Contributor

100%

ri_ri

WR Officer

Account Executive

They are overpriced. Americas should adopt a European model where education is subsidized and/or scholarships are much easier to get. I have friends who did their masters in Europe, and have gained scholarships which covered the masters, dormitory in Europe and allowance.
Or if work would pay 80% of it, I'd do it
Otherwise, no thank you.

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

It would be a whole different story if they were totally or partially paid for

Captain_Q

Arsonist

Sr. Account Executive

TONS of companies out there are paying for MBA's. If it's something you'd seriously do, maybe it's time to start looking for a new job.

AlexT

Politicker

Account Executive

Depends from country to country but I believe businesses have tax deductions for paying your learning and development. MBAs are just one of the many things they can afford for this way.

Captain_Q

Arsonist

Sr. Account Executive

@ri_ri My company split it with me, I am still paying student loans for it. However, I went from being stuck in a cubical farm to running an entire territory in just a few short years.

ri_ri

WR Officer

Account Executive

Oh nice, good for you.
None of the companies I worked for did it, but I did hear of some that do.
Personal experience is that you can get to the same position just by working, but I guess you get there faster by having an MBA 🤷🏻‍♀️

Captain_Q

Arsonist

Sr. Account Executive

I agree it can be done without an MBA. Don't get me wrong, I didn't just get the position because I walked in and threw my diploma on the desk, and walked out. What I'm saying is that if you are already smart, hardworking, and driven, then an MBA will only make those stronger.

SADNES5

Politicker

down voters are marketing spies

Completely agree.

Captain_Q

Arsonist

Sr. Account Executive

Do you need it to get a job today? No. Does the extra knowledge that you've gained help give you an advantage? Absolutely!

Is it a coincidence that anytime a teammate has told me that my MBA was a waste of money, that they are saying it from the bottom of the leader board? Maybe. If you have an MBA and you think it wasn't worth it....maybe you aren't using it correctly?

Stay Hungry!

CaptQ

HarryCaray

Notable Contributor

HMFIC

@Captain_Q I agree! I don't have an MBA, but I get sick of people trashing it for the same cliche reasons, probably because they didn't get one themselves, or they got one and they're still not where they want to be. Don't discourage people from bettering themselves because you chose to go a different route. And if you have an MBA and still aren't where you want to be, maybe look at other factors before saying it was a waste.

THIS DOESN'T APPLY TO EVERYONE SO DON'T GET BUTT HURT IF YOU'RE READING THIS

Captain_Q

Arsonist

Sr. Account Executive

@HarryCaray Appreciate your input! I'm definitely not saying that my MBA makes me a better person but I definitely think it gives me an advantage. Again, has to be utilized correctly.

el_dude

Good Citizen

Industry Market Leader - Sales and Delivery

Skewed opinion here as I'm currently an EMBA candidate. I was very hesitant for a long to make the investment (although I'm not taking a traditional MBA program). I'm now 38 and deeper in my career and just started an EMBA. Ultimately what pushed me to do it was a desire to grow my skil set and increase my value internal/external by filling my blind spots and shore up my business acumen. It wasn't about an ROI from a salary perspective, but positioning myself to take the next steps in my career. So far I've found it to be beneficial in those regards.

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

Oof, EMBA is a whole other beast. Good luck my dude!

el_dude

Good Citizen

Industry Market Leader - Sales and Delivery

Might be worth waiting for that...also...great article in the wsj about who is hiring mba’s now...lot in tech

Smithy

Politicker

Director of Sales

I think they can be, but not until you are at the c-Suite in the vast majority of cases.

The good thing is that we are now seeing more sales-specific education from places like the Revenue Collective and Sales Impact Academy. They are providing courses for IC -to-mid level management and that's great.

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

Oh I didn't know that, I'll look those up. Thanks!

BillyHoyle

Tycoon

Senior Account Executive

I think it raises your ceiling to a certain extent (dependant on school)

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

I would say depending on the school and where you work

SalesPharaoh

Big Shot

Senior Account Executive

I think depending on the situation and your needs as well as where you will get them from. then yea I think they are relevant. Are they a must? Not really but I think if you go into a top tier school mkre doors will be opened.

RedLightning

Politicker

Mid-Market AE

It strikes me as good for working in really established organizations in upper management. As an IC, I'm sure it helps but removing yourself from the workforce to get one may not make sense for everyone. I also think it may have less applications in earlier stage companies where things are faster paced and more volatile. But, generally a degree is better than no degree.

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

100% type of company matters. True startups/tech companies care more about experience than degrees IMO while more corporate old school companies would definitely put more weight on an MBA

RedLightning

Politicker

Mid-Market AE

Agreed. Big companies are more concerned with stability than growth IMO. So, the MBA is more applicable.

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

Exactly, great perspective!

Marketingpet

Politicker

Partner Manager

I got my MBA and only once has anyone commented on it as being a good thing ("It will be nice to have another MBA on the team".) Other than that I don't see why I've needed it after 10 years in sales. Most of my colleagues just have a bachelor's

Kanyebut4sales

WR Lieutenant

Account Executive

no :)

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

lol nice

Coffeesforclosers

Notable Contributor

Director Sales and Market Development

i dont even think degrees hold importance anymore

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

oh hot take. I will say I don't use my "degree" technically, but college taught me a lot in terms of time management and work ethic. Also took a class that taught me how to interview/make a resume and it was the most useful thing I have ever done.

Coffeesforclosers

Notable Contributor

Director Sales and Market Development

Yes, not downplaying that portion cause there are life lessons for sure. I more mean to start in sales having a degree as a requirement is fading, even in leadership. Not downplaying your hard work at all, hope that didnt sound like it

E_Money

Big Shot

💰

Totally agree. I actually started pushing for that in my last role. Requiring a degree feels pretty pointless when you look at all the soft skills needed to be good at sales.

Hughmondo

Head of Business Development

If you're climbing the ladder at a major corporate then yes, any other (sales) job then I don't see the value that you can't just learn with a decent library card (h/t Good Will Hunting)

classicrunningman

Good Citizen

Enterprise Business Development Representative

No
1) How many MBAs have ever made ONE cold call in their life?
2) https://tim.blog/2010/06/28/mba/

BlueJays2591

Politicker

Federal Business Dev Director

I think they are worth it in sales management but not as an individual contributor. But in both worlds, experience is still king.

JDialz

Politicker

Chief Operating Officer

Do you run a business, or are you in sales?

DizzyRascal

Opinionated

BizDev

Nah, not in sales.

Senor

Contributor

CEO

I’m saying **yes**, disclaimer only in specific scenarios i.e. if you work at a big corporation they tend to reward having an MBA and sometimes even pay for them OR if you are going to a top 5 school. They are great places to network and definitely open doors otherwise inaccessible. For most sales professionals it’s not worth the time, it wont teach the grinding skills needed for sales, but it can prepare you for management.

Chep

WR Officer

Bitcoin Adoption Specialist

Haven't gotten it, but tbh unless a company wants to pay for me to get one doubt I will. Starting to realize I didn't even need my undergrad degree to make cold calls🤣 That being said I had a great time in school and besides my 23k in student debt I have no regrets about college

saygrace

Valued Contributor

Sales Executive

Not unless ur in Finance

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

I don't know.... Then again, I do think having one will make people reach out to you for higher level roles. Even if they are a sales role that pays way more.

Bravado is a community of trusted sales professionals endorsed by their customers.

Products

The War Room Jobs Salary Guide Tech Sales U

Company

About Us How It Works Blog Bug Bounty

Contact

Press Careers

If you are hired as a contract sales rep by a Bravado customer, we may ask you to prove access to the employee email account provided to you by that customer. This data will be shared with customers to track your sales productivity; customers can use this data to confirm you meet the minimum activity requirements to pay out your ramp stipend and commission.

E_Money

Are MBAs still relevant?

Are MBAs worth it?

53 comments

Related posts

Best professionals to follow on social media that produce actual beneficial content for sales pros

Best newsletters, content creators, or places to find good sales content?

I hear how LinkedIn has taken over B2B sales within recent years but I'm still an avid believer in multiple channels. What channel have you found to be most effective in the B2B space? and Why?