MBA from a school outside of your desired work region

[jaybrium]

BTG Community,

Here's my situation:

I currently live in Glendale, Arizona and will likely be here for atleast a couple more years. I'm originally from New Jersey and ultimately would like to live and work in New York City. Although I love the valley of the sun, the only reason I'm here is because my fiance is going to med school out here.

I want to get my MBA while I'm young; I can't decide whether to get my MBA @ Arizona State so when we move to NYC the door will be open for better jobs, OR to wait until we move back to the tri-state area to get my degree from a school in the region (Columbia, NYU, Rutgers, Fordham, where ever)

ASU seems to be a highly rated degree and a huge bargain compared to private school offerings. I'm just concerned that an degree from ASU is only useful in the pacific / south west region of the US. If I plan on returning to NYC / New Jersey does it make sense to wait?

[Linda Abraham]

BTG Community,

Here's my situation:

I currently live in Glendale, Arizona and will likely be here for atleast a couple more years. I'm originally from New Jersey and ultimately would like to live and work in New York City. Although I love the valley of the sun, the only reason I'm here is because my fiance is going to med school out here.

I want to get my MBA while I'm young; I can't decide whether to get my MBA @ Arizona State so when we move to NYC the door will be open for better jobs, OR to wait until we move back to the tri-state area to get my degree from a school in the region (Columbia, NYU, Rutgers, Fordham, where ever)

ASU seems to be a highly rated degree and a huge bargain compared to private school offerings. I'm just concerned that an degree from ASU is only useful in the pacific / south west region of the US. If I plan on returning to NYC / New Jersey does it make sense to wait?

Jay,

I think you need to find out more about ASU's network and resources in the tri-state area. Contact ASU's career placement office and ask how many grads get jobs in NYC and environs. Talk to students at ASU who share your interests. Try to get the names of recent alumni who tried to find a job in the Northeast or actually did find a job in the Northeast.

BTW one of our staff, Natalie Grinblatt Epstein, is formerly as assistant dean at ASU.

Best,
Linda

[Jay Allen]

The ASU alumni network is large enough that you will be able to network effectively in the Northeast. Because you will have a pre-defined geographical network, meeting the right people will be even easier.

The real question for you is if the ASU education is right. Columbia and NYU both have really incredible programs, and it's worth considering those options. Both those schools also have a lot of students that are older and commute to school from their homes in the City. ASU also has a great program, but not the stature of the NYC schools.

Finally, it also depends on your target industry. Networking with ASU alumni in NYC will be much easier if you're interested in finance. Otherwise, the number of people available will be smaller.


Best of luck with the decision,


Jay