MBA after PhD
Posted by saintdeb on January 11, 2008
You guys must be thinking I have gone nuts right!! I sure as hell hope not…… 
……Anyhow the reason why I decided to bring up this issue is quite simple, I am sure some of you (those who know me well at-least) will definitely understand why I am talking about a MBA here! Well, I have always been interested in management and economics. I had always thought I would be a lousy manager though! To be honest, I still feel that me trying out any of my non-existant managerial skills would probably be like an ostrich’s attempt to fly; and I am quite certain that a MBA is of no use for me! But many of my friends keep telling me that I could be a good manager, particularly so in the last few years! So, I just decided to try and find out whether it is a possibility! When this idea sprang in my mind, I felt like a stupid bum to be thinking something so very foolish. But my search has got me some really interesting results! And that has made me start thinking……. 
…… Anyhow, I would cut to the chase and come to the main point. It seems there are many examples of people doing their PhD’s and then going on to get a managerial degree. In fact such examples are quite abundant in USA (probably their flexible education system makes it easier). People finish their Ph.D’s from good schools (including the likes of Stanford and Harvard) and then go on to get MBA’s from MIT! In fact, MIT has a dual degree program (LFM) which gets you a master’s and a MBA from Sloan. This class typically sees 1-2 PhD holders coming in every year!!! I was amused to find a PhD degree holder thinking of getting another masters….. 
….!! I even read about a guy who obtained a MBA degree from U. Michigan right after his PhD in molecular biology and now he works for Microsoft. He was interviewed by Google and many investment banks as well. As far as I know, working for an investment bank in US can easily fetch salaries in the range of 200k to 300k. Another option which I found many guys to be considering seriously was a part-time MBA along with a full-time PhD. So I guess my idea was not all that weird…. ok maybe a bit weird! But I am sure I’ll probably never get an MBA, more so because of my own lack of self confidence and fortitude when it comes to managing situations!! But who knows……..after all, future is as dark as the past is bright!
PS: I have no idea why I wrote this post! I guess I am too tired and just need a good nights sleep…… Will be back to my old self from tomorrow!!
Pranab said
Hi
Have a nice day and cheers !!
I have been very interested in world affairs, the general economic and financial state of companies and countries since the last few years, and dicsovered that I am actually more interested in doing strategic consultancy type jobs. I have a PhD in Engineering Mechanics from a Japanese University and I have been working at The University of Tokyo as a researcher in Environmental Science discipline since 2002. To get my feet at the doors of one of these big consulting firms, I think MBA is good way to prove the skills (though not essential, I guess) and I have been thinking day and night about it, and spending my money and time on relevant information. But, I am already 35 and I am not sure how many top MBA schools wil be willing to take me in. Another worry is my bachelor degree (Civil Engg.) from a school in India, which does not have a standing withing top 10. Despite these negative feelings, I guess I will take the plunge anyway (not to repent later) and see what is there in life for me. Just wroe this ‘coz I guess I am somewhat in similar situation to you,mentally. May be
Matthew said
I actually have done this. I finished my PhD in Genomics in 2005 and then started an MBA in 2006. I see the importance of management and resource training for being a researcher, as i have worked for many scientists that were terrible managers, and even worse leaders. I took a less traditional route for the MBA though. I enrolled in an online program at Portland State University. It is the same program that the campus students enroll in, however, it takes 3 years to complete rather than two, just do to the amount of resources needed to have a completely online program.
ron said
Hi,
Matthew, I am a second year of my PhD at Max-plank, germany. I am also thinking about doing mba after my PhD. So wanted to know what are you doing now, as to analyze what kind of career option are there after MBA for a PhD holder in Life sciences. Also you have written you started your MBA after your PhD but most of the MBA school asks for work experience. So how is that you have got MBA with out work experience?
Will really appreciate your response/reply as it will help me to take my decision about doing a MBA after my PhD
thank you in advance
r
Juan said
Hi all,
I have a PhD in Physics (2001) with a postdoc in Bells Labs. In 2003 I decided to start an part time MBA while working full time for Lucent Bells Labs in the Microelectronics division. I consider myself a scientist working in a company and in that environment I realized that my education needed to be completed. I thought that it would be good to have financial, marketing and managerial knowledge.
Anyway I finished my MBA in 2.5 years. It was not easy with a full time job and a wife with two kids at home but I thought that it was going to be good for my career. After 3 years of finished that I still do not see the fruits of my effort. So far I did not find people that value my education/ skills. I think that you have to be careful about being overqualified and if you think that you will find a position where you can apply ALL that you know you are wrong. Danger here is to become disappointed. So if you do an MBA after your PhD do it because a personal satisfaction reason and do not expect immediate returns. Your salary in your company will not increase the day after your graduation. The problem is that people like to put labels to people. If you are a “technical guy” it is difficult that after your MBA they start looking at you as a guy with a managerial skills. Do not expect your boss to start looking at you as a potential fast track managerial ladder. they probably will look at you as a threat to his career. There are a lot of lousy managers out there and you start to see them more clearly when you learn (at the MBA) how to manage people , resources , risks etc. But the sad part of it is that they have the power and you don’t. Anyway I do not regret / complain of my education . i truly believe that I will find a job where the fully value my education.
My two cents
My two cents
vladia said
Hi all! well….what about having a PhD, 7 years of working experience in the states, a tenuere position at medical school university with your own lab and still starting at 35 year an MBA?
Don’t know were this will bring me, but I strongly feel that is the right choise, MBA teaching you important subject and open your mind versus what you have to learn no metter what byyourself otherwise!
Education is always good if you do it for yourself, I’m sure that someone will recognise and I’ll use all I learn in every field of my life…don’t stop!
Indro said
Hey,
I am little bit confused what to do next. Well i have finished my MBA this year and i have job experience for 2 years. Now i was planning to continue my study. I want to go for PhD.but i have no clue what will the next step. How to start and where to start? what is required? what will be the steps? can any one please advice.
kngshk said
guys..very pertinent query…my views…
i am a second year phd student at singapore working on cancer biology…i have a mind frame for mba after my phd….the reasons: 1)personal satisfaction….my wife’s an mba and i clearly see her approaching any situation with a something extra…which clearly i lack..no matter how many phds i do… 2)i want to open my own company sometime in the future….an mba might and should help 3)pay package…if u are in a company as a scientist and want to go up the ladder with ur performance…it will take years…come with an mba and then start …going up will be quicker and easier…..
would like to interact more with u guys..
cheers
king
saintdeb said
You put down some very good points King. I find that in my field, a solid technical background will take me a long way in my career and an mba may not be that important. I will, however, continue to delve on this issue and try and find an answer for myself!