Is an MBA worth it after 20 years of experience?
Many senior executives ask us this question.
Instead of telling them it is, or isn’t – we share the following perspectives highlighting the pros and cons of an MBA at such a late stage of their career, and tell them to take a call.
Pros and Cons of an MBA after 20 years of experience
Benefits
- With a deep and wider range of exposure to the industry, you’ll be able to better absorb the lessons taught in class.
- The market rewards skills more than degrees. So you’ll probably earn much more than the regular (read younger) MBA students.
- You’re in a better situation than others to be able to afford an MBA.
Disadvantages
- You’ve been away from the classroom for too long. Getting back into the student’s role could be challenging.
- With such a unique profile, you would be expected to take a bigger role in getting yourself in front of your target recruiters.
- Age may work against you if you’re aiming for a big career change, though we’ve seen several mature grads managing the same transformation. This makes career planning very important.
Inching closer to the 20 year mark, Neil Advani wanted an MBA after over 18 years of work experience. Most regular MBA programs would not make sense from a fit angle.
But he had analysed the pros & cons, and was convinced about getting an MBA. So he did what most who work with us do – he aimed for a prestigious Sloan Fellows program at the London Business School.
Read more about this breed of programs offered by 3 elite business school: Sloan Fellows Program Review: MIT vs LBS vs Stanford – MBA after 30
MBA after 18 years of experience
by Neil Advani
In the pursuit of greatness, we often encounter individuals who become the guiding lights in our journey, propelling us towards success and fulfillment.
Today, I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude to the exceptional team at MBA Crystal Ball, whose unwavering support and guidance have played a pivotal role in shaping my path to the esteemed Sloan Masters in Leadership & Strategy at the renowned London Business School.
I vividly recall the day I approached Manish with my ambitious plan to apply for the Sloan Masters program during the eleventh hour of round 4.
Despite the odds stacked against me, I confidently told him, “You have a story to tell if I make it!” With unyielding belief in my potential, he accepted the challenge, and together with my consultant, they became my pillars of support throughout the application process.
Manish invested countless hours helping me navigate through the complexities of the admission process.
From honing my essay-writing skills to encouraging profound introspection and reflection, they played an indispensable role in clarifying my thoughts and fortifying my purpose and goals.
As a result of their unwavering guidance, I entered the Sloan Masters program with a resolute sense of determination and a clear vision of my future path.
The Sloan Masters in Management program has earned global recognition as the first mid-career and senior career postgraduate degree in General Management & Leadership.
With its roots dating back to 1930 at the MIT Sloan School of Management, it has empowered countless individuals to make a profound impact across diverse industries.
Now, as I embark on this esteemed program at London Business School, my aspirations center around excelling in New Venture Development within the Maritime industry, championing sustainable business practices with a strong focus on ESG, Climate Change and Decarbonisation.
My journey leading up to this moment has been an extraordinary series of unexpected adventures.
From my early days as a marine engineer, where I navigated challenging situations and managed risks in the shipping industry, to founding a successful marine skills development venture in New Zealand, my career has been marked by continuous growth and transformation.
Embracing diverse roles in family-run businesses, multinationals, and government, I have gained valuable insights that fuel my passion for creating positive change.
Through the years, I have adopted a creative and research-oriented approach to leadership, spearheading digital transformations, enterprise architecture, and change management.
As an intrapreneur, I have thrived on tackling seemingly insurmountable challenges with lateral thinking and a resilient attitude, making meaningful contributions to the organizations I served.
Mentorship and the ability to build agile, multicultural teams have been foundational to my success.
Beyond my professional pursuits, I am an avid astrology researcher and an advanced scuba diver.
My love for travel has allowed me to immerse myself in diverse cultures, continually seeking inspiration from the world around me.
Before commencing the program, I had the opportunity to interact with numerous Sloan alums. Their insights into the Sloan Masters program and its impact on their career pursuits were invaluable.
These conversations inspired me to embark on my own journey of personal and professional growth.
So far, during my time at London Business School, I immersed myself in various courses that would sharpen my skills and broaden my horizons.
I delved into Digital Strategy by Kevan Vakily, which enabled me to rethink new business models and platform strategies in the digital age.
Additionally, courses like New Venture Development by Rupert Merson, Financing the Entrepreneurial Business by Gary Dushnitsky & Luisa Alemany, Strategy by Jessica Spungin and Leadership by Herminia Ibarra provided me with the knowledge and expertise to excel in the realm of global business strategy, new venture development and entrepreneurship.
I am more convinced that the Sloan Masters program at London Business School is truly a transformative experience, aligning with both my professional aspirations and my desire to build lasting connections.
The school’s sense of community and collaboration is evident in every interaction I have with peers, faculty, and alums.
The values of diversity and an international mindset are not mere rhetoric, but deeply ingrained in the school’s culture.
The willingness of current and former students to offer their support and assistance is heartening, reinforcing my admiration for the collaborative and caring spirit of the London Business School.
I’m currently halfway through the program, eagerly anticipating the final term, which begins with an exciting global experience in Israel, where we will explore the successful innovation ecosystem.
Choosing my electives involved a thoughtful process based on three categories. Firstly, I focused on reinforcing and advancing my existing knowledge in areas like marketing, product management, and digital strategy.
Secondly, I recognized the importance of honing my leadership skills, so I selected electives that primarily focused on soft skills, including negotiations psychology, interpersonal skills, and change management.
This self-reflection was essential in identifying areas for personal growth and improvement.
Lastly, I ventured into new avenues by exploring courses in entrepreneurial finance, venture capital and private equity, AI for business, and Blockchain for businesses.
These diverse perspectives will undoubtedly enhance my ability to foster strong stakeholder relationships.
Looking ahead, I am thrilled to explore the realms of New Venture Development and Venture Capital, focusing on ESG, Climate Technology and Decarbonisation within the shipping industry.
With an unwavering belief that events are rarely coincidental, I trust that my journey holds a profound purpose, guiding me to make a meaningful impact on the world.
As I embark on this remarkable journey, I owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude to MCB for their unyielding support, guidance, and unwavering belief in my potential.
Without their invaluable assistance, I would not have had the opportunity to pursue my dreams at the prestigious London Business School.
To all aspiring students and mid-career professionals, I leave you with these simple yet powerful words of advice:
- Believe in yourself.
- Embrace every opportunity that comes your way.
- Never be afraid to dream big.
- With the right mentors by your side, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness.
Thank you, MCB, for being the guiding light in my journey.
An MBA after 18 or even 20+ years of experience can be worth it, provided:
- you are aware of what you want from the investment.
- you know the right programs to target.
- you ensure that you put in a strong application justifying the reason for choosing a mid-career MBA at this stage of your professional journey.
Are you above 40 and hoping to get an MBA before it’s too late? We’ve got the experience to help. Reach out with your profile details and target programs:
info [at] mbacrystalball [dot] com
Also read:
– How I got into MIT Sloan Fellows with scholarship
– Review of LBS Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy
– MBA after 40 for former military (Indian Navy) officer
– MBA after Army
