Dear PhysicsMBA:

You have quite the conundrum. I think you need to evaluate what will allow you to be most successful: the current job with the sales position or attending the graduate program. I do think a sales position would be more business-oriented than a design or operations position. However, you need to figure out if that is something truly of interest to you or not. If the graduate program is another engineering or technical degree, you might be able to secure more of a technical management, project management or technical sales position when you finish, all of which would have more of a business flavor to them. But you need to research to see where graduates have gone upon completing the program to see if those are potential opportunities available. Either way, the best course of action is where you will excel as business schools like to see quality of work experience (progression, leadership, etc.) more than quantity.

You do have another option: which is to consider applying to business school for fall 2009 entry and staying at your current job until then. While you might only have about two years experience, if you know you want to go to business school and have clear post-MBA goals, then it might be a worthwhile option to consider.

Good luck,
Lisa