I searched the forum and read the previous posts on this topic, but I still think there is value to bringing up this discussion. I am evaluating my options for an MBA.
1) Background:
- < 30 years old
- 2-3 years post-grad experience
- employed in IT
2) Goals:
Plan A:
- start my own business while doing the MBA
- find partners through networking
Plan B: (may be I shouldn't have one?)
- Finish the MBA
- Go back to work for an IT company (US or Canada) hopefully at a leadership position
My situation is a bit hard because I have two plans that I need to balance. If I had only plan A I would probably try my luck at the Waterloo MBET program since it has the best chance for effective networking and mentoring. If I had only plan B I would just go to Rotman because it is the top school and gives the best chance for higher paid employment. Since I don't have any cash to pay for the MBA, I am concerned that if I go for an expensive school (like Rotman or even McGill) I will be in so much debt that I will have no chance at succeeding with Plan A (unless the business really picks up before I finish the MBA). So that's why I am deciding between HEC Montreal and Ryerson, since I still have some time to save enough to pay for tuition and if I end up in debt it will be manageable (although not sure if any debt can be manageable when you are trying to start a business). So my thinking is really "if Plan A succeeds - great! If not, oh well, I didn't really lose anything". That's assuming I can land a $70-$80K job with a HEC/Ryerson MBA.
What do you guys thing? Am I making sense? Is there a better school that will help me achieve one of my two plans without eliminating the other? The school has to be in Canada.
1) Background:
- < 30 years old
- 2-3 years post-grad experience
- employed in IT
2) Goals:
Plan A:
- start my own business while doing the MBA
- find partners through networking
Plan B: (may be I shouldn't have one?)
- Finish the MBA
- Go back to work for an IT company (US or Canada) hopefully at a leadership position
My situation is a bit hard because I have two plans that I need to balance. If I had only plan A I would probably try my luck at the Waterloo MBET program since it has the best chance for effective networking and mentoring. If I had only plan B I would just go to Rotman because it is the top school and gives the best chance for higher paid employment. Since I don't have any cash to pay for the MBA, I am concerned that if I go for an expensive school (like Rotman or even McGill) I will be in so much debt that I will have no chance at succeeding with Plan A (unless the business really picks up before I finish the MBA). So that's why I am deciding between HEC Montreal and Ryerson, since I still have some time to save enough to pay for tuition and if I end up in debt it will be manageable (although not sure if any debt can be manageable when you are trying to start a business). So my thinking is really "if Plan A succeeds - great! If not, oh well, I didn't really lose anything". That's assuming I can land a $70-$80K job with a HEC/Ryerson MBA.
What do you guys thing? Am I making sense? Is there a better school that will help me achieve one of my two plans without eliminating the other? The school has to be in Canada.