Law Degree Losing Its Luster?

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Yea, I'll be going after mine soon. The MBA is "the new BBA," so it's becoming more of necessary degree than an "enrichment" one.

Have you come across graduates of online MBAs applying for jobs, and how they're perceived?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Have you come across graduates of online MBAs applying for jobs, and how they're perceived?

It depends.

There are a few programs that are completely online (or 1-2 weeks on campus, and the rest online) that are awarded the same degree as the brick-and-mortar programs (ex. your MBA doesn't say iMBA or Onlien MBA). Those seem to be faring well.

The Devrys and UoPs of the world, though, still don't get much respect, from what I've seen.

ETA: At this point in my career, I'm probably more suited for a Professional MBA. For those, I've noticed people working while earning the degree, doing internships, and transitioning into an updated role post-graduation. Those who go straight through (ex. 5 year BBA/MBA) seem to have the same issues as BBA-only grads.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Have you come across graduates of online MBAs applying for jobs, and how they're perceived?

The problem with the MBA is that it is a generalist degree. In most programs, you have a class or two on each topic; lots of breadth, no depth. I think this general curriculum is useful for people with non-business degrees, because we learn a bit about finance, accounting, econ, etc., that we perhaps haven't had before. In fact, nearly everyone in my program was a scientist, engineer, or IT person of some sort, because of its location near lots of related businesses. Most of them were people who wanted to go from IT guy to IT manager or researcher to research manager or what have you. For these people, the actual program is far less important than just having the letters.

For someone with a BBA, they need to think a lot more about what they want to get out of an MBA, and really look for a program that specializes in that thing. Many schools offer the MBA with some sort of concentration, but you should still have a good idea of why you want the MBA and not the Masters in Finance, Masters in Econ, etc.

So, I happen to live in a city that has quite a few programs of both types; some are a good fit for general managers, others let you concentrate on one area of the business. The part-time programs are structured specifically for working adults, in both their scheduling and their curriculum. If, with all these choices, someone decided to do a DeVry or a Kaplan online, it definitely raises an eyebrow. For a hiring manager, it may not be a disqualifier, but it is certainly something to ask more about.

[barbino]

Originally Posted by aggieAXO

sorry should be Europe -what is up with the editing function? It doesn't seem to be working lately or can you only edit once these days??

This is a good observation. These days I can't even edit once. Since I edit everything, it is really messing with my posting.

[KDCat]

Originally Posted by Mevara

Don't you have this problem with many degrees not just law? MBA, MD, IT, RN

I don't know what life is like for MBAs.

Based on my observations of friends and family, MDs and RNs usually have bad management because they hire RNs or MDs to be the management and they're not trained for it. My friends who are MDs who are not getting benefits aren't independent contractors; they are partners. They have an equity stake in their group practices. (Law firms are starting to make people responsible for their own benefits and employment taxes AND not making them partners.) Some firms are trying to move RNs to an independent contractor status with no benefits, but they have enormous turn-over rates. Nurses don't have to put up with that, and most won't.

IT doesn't seem like its gone the independent contractor route at all. At least not around here.

[AGDee]

There is a huge glut of MBAs in the Detroit area and there has been for quite a while. As I noted earlier, my MBA ex-husband noted probably 8 or 9 years ago that companies were promoting JDs into business executive positions over MBAs.

In this area, a large number of IT people, especially programmers, are contractors. They usually work through a contracting agency though, not independently. Many times, they get hired in as a contractor first and if they are good, then they get hired as a direct full time employee. Independent contractors are usually people who are well established as experts in the field (professors, former CIOs, etc.). I'm trying to avoid the contractor world because I couldn't stand knowing that I had a job only for 6 months or a year and then would be looking for work again. Contractor is a complicated word in IT because a lot of companies outsource their IT so technically those people are contractors but they are full time W-2 with benefits contractors.

[DubaiSis]

I wouldn't recommend an MBA right now, as the reading I've been doing seems to say you want a degree (even just an undergrad) in something VERY specific. Actuarial science (although I'd rather through myself off a building) would be a much better choice than business. Any of the maths and/or sciences seem to be an excellent choice. The gist I got was they want people with technical training, so although at one point a BBA or MBA might have gotten the job, a math major or actuary would get it now. It makes sense to me. Broad knowledge is great for life in general but it's not great for your job RIGHT NOW. Whereas I've always been a fan of the liberal education, it's not what I would suggest to an 18 year old now. Pick a degree that really teaches one thing thoroughly and well.

And I'd only get an advanced degree if you have a specific plan in mind. Through this thread there have been a couple people talking about law school and knowing exactly where they want to work afterwards and have picked a school appropriate to their needs. The kid who wants to go to law school to be rich is going to have a rough go. IMO anyway.

[knight_shadow]

In my industry (marketing/advertising), the vast majority of the upper-level positions are asking for MBA or xx years of experience. There are very few positions that ask for super specific degrees (ex. Some of my competitors ask for a MS in Market Research).

Whenever I do go for my MBA, it will have a concentration. I think that should make up for the "broad" stigma of the MBA degree in general. It's rare that I've seen an advanced business degree in "regular" marketing or a company in my industry looking for a non-business graduate degree.

[KDCat]

After whining about the legal job market, I had offers for 3 interviews in the span of 2 days, and received a very nice offer for a job as in-house counsel for a health care system.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by KDCat

After whining about the legal job market, I had offers for 3 interviews in the span of 2 days, and received a very nice offer for a job as in-house counsel for a health care system.

Congrats!

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by KDCat

After whining about the legal job market, I had offers for 3 interviews in the span of 2 days, and received a very nice offer for a job as in-house counsel for a health care system.

Congrats.