Too old for an MBA ?


chere4g

I'm seeking advice on MBA programs to attend in 2010. I will have 14yrs of experience in 2010; as a banker and banking IT consultant. I believe i've hit a ceiling and that learning has stopped. My aim is to move into a general management >> leadership role and i'm leaning towards a 1yr program in Europe/Asia/North America. Am I too old for an MBA ?

I'm seeking advice on MBA programs to attend in 2010. I will have 14yrs of experience in 2010; as a banker and banking IT consultant. I believe i've hit a ceiling and that learning has stopped. My aim is to move into a general management >> leadership role and i'm leaning towards a 1yr program in Europe/Asia/North America. Am I too old for an MBA ?
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chere4g

Are there any Top 10 schools that you can suggest?

Are there any Top 10 schools that you can suggest?
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Alan

No, I don't think you're too old. Any Top 10 school should consider you if your GMAT and application are up to par. There was an article and a few interviews published on this site about that recently.

No, I don't think you're too old. Any Top 10 school should consider you if your GMAT and application are up to par. There was an article and a few interviews published on this site about that recently.
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LaVoz de G...

I think Alan is referring to this article: http://www.find-mba.com/article/337/back-to-school-the-work-experience-dilemma

I think Alan is referring to this article: http://www.find-mba.com/article/337/back-to-school-the-work-experience-dilemma
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andy.j.

with 14 years of experience, why don't you go for an EMBA? it would be easier to find one that would allow you to continue working(they are usually designed taking it into account), and you will also not feel yourself too old - EMBA participants usually come from a similar background to yours.

with 14 years of experience, why don't you go for an EMBA? it would be easier to find one that would allow you to continue working(they are usually designed taking it into account), and you will also not feel yourself too old - EMBA participants usually come from a similar background to yours.
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MBAbound

Agree with andy j. look into an EMBA, I am. Most require professional experience and the average age is 30 -40's. I will be 35 when I begin my program (not that I have decided on which). I'll be able to work in my current position or switch to per diem work.

Agree with andy j. look into an EMBA, I am. Most require professional experience and the average age is 30 -40's. I will be 35 when I begin my program (not that I have decided on which). I'll be able to work in my current position or switch to per diem work.
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Inactive User

I'm seeking advice on MBA programs to attend in 2010. I will have 14yrs of experience in 2010; as a banker and banking IT consultant. I believe i've hit a ceiling and that learning has stopped. My aim is to move into a general management >> leadership role and i'm leaning towards a 1yr program in Europe/Asia/North America. Am I too old for an MBA ?


As others have said, you're not too old for an EMBA. However, my question to you is---how will an MBA help you exactly to get into a leadership role? An MBA isn't necessarily a guarantee you'd get a promotion, if that is what you're referring to. Secondly, it's not quite the age or the WE in themselves that's the problem, but your justification for dropping everything that you're doing and coughing up about $100-$200 grand for the MBA. THe concern is whether that jump from general management to leadership is small enough for this MBA to make sense. If you explain more about your situation, or how you think an MBA can help you in your goal, that would be appreciated

<blockquote>I'm seeking advice on MBA programs to attend in 2010. I will have 14yrs of experience in 2010; as a banker and banking IT consultant. I believe i've hit a ceiling and that learning has stopped. My aim is to move into a general management >> leadership role and i'm leaning towards a 1yr program in Europe/Asia/North America. Am I too old for an MBA ?</blockquote>

As others have said, you're not too old for an EMBA. However, my question to you is---how will an MBA help you exactly to get into a leadership role? An MBA isn't necessarily a guarantee you'd get a promotion, if that is what you're referring to. Secondly, it's not quite the age or the WE in themselves that's the problem, but your justification for dropping everything that you're doing and coughing up about $100-$200 grand for the MBA. THe concern is whether that jump from general management to leadership is small enough for this MBA to make sense. If you explain more about your situation, or how you think an MBA can help you in your goal, that would be appreciated
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andy.j.

MBAAdmCracker has a good point here - why would you drop anything and go for a full time MBA - Are you sure you can get a better job afterwords? or did you talk to your employer, and got him to agree that you take a year(!) off?

if you are planing on dropping everything and doing an MBA, then i would urge you to reconsider: you are not a youngling anymore, and it might be difficult to get a new job after the MBA.

and also, i really think you would feel more at home in an EMBA program, where the people are of similar background to you.

MBAAdmCracker has a good point here - why would you drop anything and go for a full time MBA - Are you sure you can get a better job afterwords? or did you talk to your employer, and got him to agree that you take a year(!) off?

if you are planing on dropping everything and doing an MBA, then i would urge you to reconsider: you are not a youngling anymore, and it might be difficult to get a new job after the MBA.

and also, i really think you would feel more at home in an EMBA program, where the people are of similar background to you.

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saint

Dear Andy
My best friend works at one of the top 2 schools in the Netherlands recruiting MBA students, he told me that he had a 58 year old guy wanting to study a MBA. Anyhow, to answer your question, you are never to old. You may want to look at some good preparation to get you back into the study mode. What you really need is a sit down with a good recruiter who can advise you on all aspects and also the difference with an Executive MBA due to your age. It does have it positives being older.
Saint

Dear Andy
My best friend works at one of the top 2 schools in the Netherlands recruiting MBA students, he told me that he had a 58 year old guy wanting to study a MBA. Anyhow, to answer your question, you are never to old. You may want to look at some good preparation to get you back into the study mode. What you really need is a sit down with a good recruiter who can advise you on all aspects and also the difference with an Executive MBA due to your age. It does have it positives being older.
Saint

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