Hi, question about MBA for a 33 year old?

Question

I'm a Singaporean and I'm 33 years old this year. I've some questions about the MBA which I hope you can help.

At 33, and having worked in an IT firm for 6 years in Singapore, I'm considering leaving my job to do a full-time MBA.

1) Am I considered too old for an MBA now?

2) Should I do one in the US or UK (I know UK programs last only a year)?

3) If I want to say work in Finance (a bank) - does an MBA with Finance specialization make sense?

Thanks for your help.

Best Regards
Gary Hendricks

Answer 1

1. You are not too old. Average age for full-time MBA is 28 and part-time is 33-35. However, average work experience is about 6 years for full-time so you are about there.

2. US and UK programs are quite expensive. Have you considered Australian programs? However, if you intend to work in a particular country after your MBA, then it would be better to do it at that country.

3. A Finance specialisation will definitely help as you have no prior finance or banking experience. Your IT experience will help you by giving you industry specific insights and expert knowledge in this area.

4. Employment statistics for MBA graduates are typically around 85-90%, therefore I wouldn't worry too much especially if you do well in your MBA. However, after working in US or UK for a few years, you will find that your pay there is much much higher than Singapore so you may not want to come back!

5. Yes, the school is as important as you results. No employer is going to choose an excellent student from Kuching Kurak Business School over an average student from Wharton or Stanford etc.

p.s. I will be doing my MBA at the AGSM (Australian Graduate School of Management) in 2007. They have a great faculty and good mix of students from around the world. Why don't you consider?

Answer 2

1) Not at all! In our days knowledge runs and we have to develop ourselves. I am 37 and just obtained a Bachelor and i am very happy!
3) I used to work in Banking sector and I will strongly say you that YES an MBA is a must for working in this sector (at least in Greece).

In one point I would not agree with you. It is better to continue working while studuing for the MBA from a business point of view. A bank would consider it as a positive point to match studies and work since it shows that you are good in time management.
Of course this is a personal opinion ! It is you that decide.
I wish you good strength in order to fulfil your tasks.

Answer 3

of course it's not too late! i am considering an MBA, among other degrees, and i'll just turn 33 when i start my program...i was looking into the uk as well, but if you want to work in the states, and unless its from a prestigious school like LSE, you may have trouble...the programs are INTENSE in the uk because you only have a year to get it all in...plus, you will be studying with british students who have been in DEEPLY involved in business admin. studies since their first year in undergrad...

Answer 4

1. nobody is too old to study....everyone has the right to study...you might not notice but even if you're working right now you're still studying gaining experience from what you learn each day cause all things start from the beginning whether in school or in work

2. it depends on which is comfortable to you...if i were you i chose to stay at singapore instead since its your hometown right? well it depends but remember this...no matter how good the school is but the student isn't working very hard then it's still useless if he came from a good school got that? it means that the student is what makes of him and not the school :)

3. since you're interested in fincance then it does make sence in choosing a specialization in finance....since you're interested in it then go for it