Starting an MBA.
UnixGuy
SABSA, GCFA, GPEN, CISM, RHCE, Security+, Server+, eJPT, CCNAPosts: 4,030Mod Mod
So I got admission into one of world's top 20 MBA programs, on campus, part time, self-sponsored
I'll be starting in few weeks...very excited!
Short term goal: Finish the MBA and juggle work-life.
Long term career goal: move to Management.
This means, no more technical certs for me anymore!
I don't want to post too many details in this post for the sake of personal privacy, but if you're curious or want more details shoot me a message...
I'll be starting in few weeks...very excited!
Short term goal: Finish the MBA and juggle work-life.
Long term career goal: move to Management.
This means, no more technical certs for me anymore!
I don't want to post too many details in this post for the sake of personal privacy, but if you're curious or want more details shoot me a message...
Goal: MBA, August 2020
Comments
To Complete: CISSP-ISSAP | CCSP | CAPM
Start Master's Degree: WGU - MBA.ITM
B.S., Business Studies in Computer Information Technology | SNHU
If I could impart any advice, it would be to take some of your classes in seat. I networked with hundreds of professionals in my in seat classes. Those people helped me find my Director role and this role I have now. Networking is key, and by going after your MBA, you are going to meet a lot of people. Network like crazy man!
Good luck!
B.S: IT - Network Design & Management
M.S. - CSIA (Started 3/1/2017)Progress T1: C688, JIT2; T2:TFT2, C700, VLT2; T3: C701, C702; T4: C706, FXT2, LQT2
Black = Not Started, Blue = In Progress, Red = Complete
Currently Working On: Python, OSCP Prep
Next Up: OSCP
Studying: Code Academy (Python), Bash Scripting, Virtual Hacking Lab Coursework
Very good point. I'm trying to avoid exactly that, I feel that if I keep getting pulled to do technical stuff I'll never leave. Next position should be either sales or management..but yeah things take time so we'll see
Excellent story and thanks for the advice! that's the reason why I opted for on campus rather than online, to network, but I also figured I'm not the most motivated person to do online studies. Thanks mate
haha I'm sure i'll be reporting back way before
I didn't have to do GRE/GMAT in my case, but I was prepared to do it if needed
Did it help your career? care to share your story/progress with us?
The contacts I made in the program were great. But more so the quality of people not necessarily their positions. I usually get asked in every job interview “Oh, we see you have an MBA blah… why didn’t you get an MS in cyber like all the other IT security people” or something to that effect right. I like to point out that cyber in and of itself is not a profit center (usually) it helps drive profit centers speaking in terms of value added. My current role as an ISSE/M the MBA doesn’t help to much but it will help more once I hold more FaceTime with project managers. At the end of the day everyone’s job is to add value in a way which helps protect or increase profit. I took a director positon in one of my X-wife’s companies during grad school. This helped a lot with learning out to build teams and lead people outside of a military environment. MBA programs help you learn how to communicate effectively and how to speak in universal terms which most business understand. I started my MBA at the University of Hawaii in 2014 and finished in May 2016. I will probably be going back for a MS or PHd (funding dependent).
Timeline as follows:
2007-2013ish Active Duty enlisted 25B It analyst / Satcom SME Looking back I should have went to OCS right out of the box. . I attempted OCS in 2015 but ended up getting hurt and was forced to drop from the program.
2014- 2016 Grad school and Work in x wives company. More of an advisory role I had a general manager and two other location mangers who reported up to me. During this time Divorce kicked off which made things even more challenging.
2016-2017 Security Analyst I though III at US PACIFIC Command. Here the MBA helped because everyone in my office had an Engineering background with MS degree in cyber or a business background with an MS in cyber. My day to day position required lots of analytical work trend analysis, burn rate adjustments. Cyber scorecard kind of stuff. The MBA helped with these kinds of efforts. During this time I picked up CASP,CISSP,CSM,CEH in that order back to back. This combo of certs helped at work to meet standard of my office (everyone was required to have IAT III) I just took it upon myself to go above and beyond. At the same time, I was working in a NOC full time as well. In the NOC the MBA actually hurt me some because people always wanted to know when I would be leaving and why on earth someone with an MBA would be hanging out in the NOC. The management there knew that the position was to a way to add extra money to my bank account. All in all, the management was happy because there was a butt in seat and I found a backfill when I left. I was happy because I was getting an extra check.
2018-Current Moved from Hawaii to Texas and took an ISSE position. Here the MBA helped also mainly during the interview. I think it added some value and spoke to work ethic combined with holding two full time positions. I also leveraged the MBA during my interview and that helped me drive and control the interview into a direction I wanted it to go. Focusing on my strengths etc..
If you want to eventually go into management then the MBA can only help. The key is going to be finding a position where you can utilize the skills you took two years to learn. Help drive policy / strategic plan, data analysis balh balh .
I like it when the guy with GPEN and GCFA says I am in inspiration. After CISM is done in August I will attach GCIH and GPEN. Paying out of pocket….
Ok so back to your MBA …. Make sure you leverage your team members and learn what makes them tick…. The higher your emotional intelligence is going into the program, the easier it will be to bring everything together. Soot me a PM… I would love to know which program you will be attending.
SANS certs are always good value, good luck with your studies. I'll send you a PM now
@jdancer: can't wait! those are the stuff that I want to learn
Please keep this thread updated on your progress, we're rooting for you
Currently Working On: Microsoft 70-761 (SQL Server)
Guess what, I was offered SANS work study for 660........ I had to frekkin reject it because I can mandatory intensive classes.......
Anyway, decision has been made, no going back now
Will do sir! Appreciate the support
Second this!
I learned SO much in those 3 months, it's insane! Now I understand why MBAs from top school have value, so let met explain few things I concluded during my firs term.
- Don't do an online MBA. Serious. You don't NEED an MBA so unless you get an opportunity to do it on campus from a reputable university, don't do it. Why?
Because the real learning happens in the group work. Your assigned a group of students, where you get to work under pressure on a weekly basis. Regularly we were asked to read a case, prepare a presentation, and then present to a room full of people competing with you. Good luck. This stuff can not be learned online. You also get to discuss everything in the classroom, and the students are from different fields. The stories you hear are priceless.
Networking! Now I know what this means. Networking isn't just meeting people in an event and adding them on LinkedIn, the kind of Networking that happens in the MBA is when you get to know your cohort, work with them for two years, develop REAL connections with them, work together on projects. This is Networking. You also know if someone graduated from your school, they're solid (or at least have a minimum base of competency).
Now if you can't do on Campus MBA, there are plenty of options! For online degrees, you can do Masters of Management, masters of finance/commerce/accounting, or you can do a technical masters. Honestly, certifications have more value for technical careers than masters. If you want to learn about marketing, finance, accounting, strategy, etc...you can read a book and learn everything, this is not what an MBA is for to be honest.
The MBA is good if you want to change careers, move to management, or move to consulting (for IT consulting you dont need an MBA).
I was under pressure throughout the entire 3 months. Every week I had home work, group work, then we had mid terms, and finals. I mean literally every week. I did slack when it came to studying, so my grades aren't that good, but I kept my sanity and didn't ignore my social life/exercise/relationship. I went home at midnight few nights a week because I had to deliver group assignment that was due 11:59 pm..assignment was given to us a 9:30 pm. This is pressure. Specially after a long day work + 3 hours lecture. They really test how you work under pressure, and you get better at working under pressure.
Anyway, I have a week off as of today, and then a homework due next week for the new subject
Feel free to ask me anything (except personal questions, I can answer those in PMs)
'My dear you are ugly, but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly' Winston Churchil
How did you want to use it if you don't mind me asking? Or what career goal do you have at the moment that you think the MBA would've helped you reach?
'My dear you are ugly, but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly' Winston Churchil