37 years old, career change, MBA

goldenlocks · Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject: 37 years old, career change, MBA

I'm (a young!) 37 - and exploring pursuing an MBA beginning Sept 09. I have 30 years of work ahead of me - and shouldn't be too old. Smile

Initially, I envisioned the full-time traditional program. After these posts, I'm afraid my age will work against me.

I've worked 14 years in fundraising/leadership positions at non-profits, including 8 years at a international relief organization through 9/11, Tsunami, Katrina etc. I'm now a director at a smaller nonprofit - (to stop the crazy travel schedule).

At the same time, I earned an MA in Communications (full time, GPA: 3.7), a graduate certificate in Public Management (GPA 3.7), and MA in Philanthropy (3.5).

I don't consider myself a "career student" because my education was concurrent with working full time - to learn and grow. I've been out of grad school about 5 years now.

(BTW, I stupidly wasted my undergrad years - 2.7 gpa in political science).

Now I'm exhausted by fundraising and want to do something different. I want to build on my strategic planning/revenue forecasting/fundraising consulting/leadership experience - and shift to the for-profit/corporate world.

The MBA appeals to me as an opportunity to build more financial and accounting skills - with a focus on communications and leadership.

Do you think I would be a candidate for the EMBA?

My professional experience is at nonprofits - though 8 years at a very "corporate"/large non-profit.

Is it a concern that I want more than to simply be promoted within the same company?

Or, for a career change, do you think the traditional program makes sense?

My target is Univ of Houston, which offers a full-time day, full-time and part time evening, and executive MBA. A bonus for the EMBA - I wouldn't have to take the GMAT!!

Thank you for your insight!!

Lisa Anderson · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:21 am Post subject:

Dear goldenlocks,

Based on your work experience, I think the executive MBA is most appropriate option for you. The benefit to you (in addition to the education) is the learning you will receive from your peers. You will gain more by working on team projects and having class discussions with other seasoned managers. Don't misunderstand--there are great, smart, successful people in the traditional full-time program. But for someone with over 12 years of experience, I think you will get more from being in an executive program with other more experienced students.

You can still transition your career after the executive program. You might have to wait until you finish the program to have enough time to conduct your job search, but it can be done and happens all the time. The career center at Bauer has strong leadership and should be able to help you with your strategy.

Best of luck,
Lisa