MS Pharmacy and laboratory science and MBA?

[nadimazar]

HY,
I would be grateful if you can give your advice concerning my project : I am a pharmacist (1996) and I had my MS in Medical laboratory (Pathology) in 2001; since 2001 i ve been practicing as full time pathologist ( head of Laboratory department in a 120 bed s private hospital). I am now 35 and I am eager to open new horizons so I was thinking of having an MBA at INSEAD France. DO you think it's a good idea? and will my pharmaceutical and medical laboratory background be a plus for potential recruitment? thank you.

[Stacy Blackman]

Difficult to answer this with limited information. It may be a good idea, but you will need a better reason for going back to school than expanding horizons. You will have to define your career goals and show why school is truly important for you. Your background may make you stand out in the pool, but it is not necessarily the type of experience they are looking for because it could be a bit solitary. They will be curious about your interactions with others and your management abilities. You say you are head of the department so maybe there is a bunch of management to discuss - that will help.

[nadimazar]

hy there,
thank you for your reply; in fact, the main motivation for me to go back to school, leave my family for 12 months and pay the fees is that I feel that in my field, i ve reached the top ( means that i am already head of department and there s no way for me to go higher within my field), and in fact i feel i have much more to give and i am eager to be a part of a big healthcare ( pharmaceutical or medical diagnosis) company. On what aspects I should emphasize in my motivation letter?

[Amy]

Hi nadimazar,

Reaching the top of your profession could be a good reason for gaining broader knowledge through an MBA. Think about the specific skills you will gain through an MBA and whether those are helpful for your goals.

I also might think about whether you could transition into a different career without an MBA. At your age and with a family, returning to a full time MBA program is something you will want to consider carefully. Most of your classmates will have less work experience, and recruiting will be geared to their level. Socially you may not enjoy the peer group.

I would suggest some serious thinking about what you want out of your career and your life, and also taking the time to see what it would take to transition to your dream job and whether you need an MBA. An MBA is a big commitment, and is not always the golden ticket, so I would think about it before spending the time and money.

Good luck!

Amy