I'm strongly considering an MBA.
I've been "in this field" since I was young, but I've been in it professionally for around 6 years now, give or take a bit. I've been fortunate enough, especially with my current job, to be exposed to many different environments. I've been able to see and work with a wide variety of technologies that many people are never exposed to.
One observation I consistently make is how much I loathe poor planning and project management. It's a problem in my organization that I often wish I could correct myself, but being 26 years old and only having a bachelors degree doesn't lend itself to me becoming a project manager overnight. However, I feel as though I am headed more and more towards that role in my current job, where I already more or less serve as the "lead engineer", so to speak.
For a long time, I think I've denied the fact that project management interests me. My step dad was a very successful project manager for a global construction company before he was promoted to head of a division. I've worked for and with him before, speak to him often regarding work, management, etc. I've always admired and appreciated his approach to managing projects and people.
I love being a tech guy and using analytical skills to solve problems, but often times I find my interest in technology hinders me, because there is no possible way for me to specialize in all areas and I feel overwhelmed.
I began studying for my CCNP (BCMSN) a while back, but I've found that I lost steam after completing my CCNA. The stuff interests me, but I keep thinking to myself, that's a lot of time to devote to one certification that is solely networking related. The more I think about it, the more I'm not sure if continuing the certification game is for me. I love learning and will never stop doing so, especially in this field, but I'm not sure that I want to be a "networking guy" or an "admin guy". I am much, much more interested in all evolving areas of IT and how they can all integrate to meet business/customer needs.
Ultimately, I believe I want to design, oversee and manage projects. If I move away from the daily technical aspects of IT, I think that would be fine with me and that I would see that as a natural progression, because IT has always been as much of a hobby to be as a career, and that's the reason I got into it to begin with.
Having been in the field and coming from the technical side of IT, as well as having a formal education and understanding business, as well as having been exposed to good project management for most of my life...I believe would ultimately lead me to success in that area. It almost seems natural.
Anyway! I've been thinking of going back to school to get my MBA. There is a decent college that's a 5 minute bike ride from my house. Even if I could take one or two classes a semester, I have no problem with it taking 2-3 years, because that lines up with the timeframe where I will either move out of state or be in a position at work where I will have primarily transitioned to a management role. There is a slight possibility that I could even get my employer to pay for it, especially if I approach it from the angle that it will ultimately benefit them.
I never minded college. I enjoyed all the business classes, even if I did find them boring at times. I've never had problems absorbing information, studying for tests, doing research, writing papers, etc. It's just always something I've been good at.
I feel like the biggest obstacle in my path if I chose to pursue this would be money and time, but those certainly aren't deal breakers.
This ended up being longer than I had thought...but really, I'm just looking for input. Has anyone here chosen to pursue graduate studies after being in the technical side of IT for a while? If so, what were your experiences?
Discuss please.
