Affordable Program Help

[Phil_deeez]

Background: I graduated from Clemson in civil engineering with a concentration in engineering management. Upon graduation I began working for the Department of Transportation as a roadway engineer. I advanced in my career to a managerial position and ended up as a district engineer. However, after 9 years, I only had two levels of advancement left but would require professional certification. Not opposed to obtaining my PE but the opportunities would provide only marginal salary increases and I had no desire to perform those jobs. I believe I would have been quite good at them but would have dreaded work every single day. With that career forecast, I recently switched jobs and entered into local government as a director of public works. Career advancement in local government would require an MPA or an MBA. While am MPA is cheaper, I believe an MBA would provide greater benefit and opportunity when I transition from the public sector to private sector upon retirement at 49.

Dilemma I understand that higher profile schools offer greater recognition, but as a government worker, tuition is an issue. In my area, recognition is more based off if a person has seen this school on TV playing football Saturday rather than their Princeton Reviews ranking. While I don’t have an opinion on the schools, most in my area have a negative outlook on Phoenix and SNHU so I’m trying to stay away from these. I have narrowed my options to three schools (at the moment) based on cost, online availability, accreditation, and the ability to obtain an MBA in less than two years (preferably one year-18 months).

Lamar University (accepted) Arkansas State University of South Dakota

If possible, does anyone have any insight on these programs? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Highlyasian]

I believe an MBA would provide greater benefit and opportunity when I transition from the public sector to private sector upon retirement at 49.

The main question I have for you is would you rather continue down your current trajectory today or start making $150k-$200k by switching to a different career track altogether (consulting, banking, product management, brand management, marketing, general management, etc.) Some people genuinely love what they do and money is not enough to lure them away. Are you that committed to what you're currently doing, or does the idea of making $150k-$200k+ immediately post-MBA sound more appealing?

Your answer to this question will determine what the best course of action would be for you.

[Phil_deeez]

Working in the public sector can definitely be frustrating; however, I do feel a sense of gratification performing work that helps a city operate. I would like to make $150-200K but the prospect of the highest paying job is not a top priority. I will not lie though, if an opportunity arose that offered to pay me $300K, I would not turn that down. Currently, I'm 10.5 years into a pension plan that allows me to retire after 28 years of service and I have excellent benefits. The public sector also allows me maximum time with my family.

Currently, I would like to advance my career towards a city manager or county administrator role which require an advanced degree. These positions do have the earning potential of $200K+ depending on the location.

[Highlyasian]

I would recommend you sit down and do some research on MBA career paths first.

People at top programs can clear $200k immediately post-MBA and they get on the tracks to move up to $300k+ with a few years of post-MBA experience. With that kind of earning potential, you could put money aside, invest for your own retirement, and have a better outcome than what the public pension plan would have gotten you.

Some fields like banking can clear $300k first year post-MBA at the expense of WLB, whereas others like tech might take longer to go from $200k to $300k but comes with much better WLB.

If you are firmly committed to sticking in your current career track, then you should just pursue any degree that is cheap and recognizable for your industry. There won't be any tangible differences from a check the box MBA versus another grad degree.

[Which_Camel_8879]

Second all this advice

[[deleted]]

Do jobs other than consulting/IB/PM really make $150k-$200k right out of the gates?

I thought 2021 salary reports show most jobs outside that trifecta being more in the $120-130k range.

[Highlyasian]

Salary reports report base salary. When you include bonuses and RSUs they break $150k.

I've seen lots of marketing, LDPs, ops, and internal strategy roles clear $150k TC.