Information Technology is a swiftly growing industry in need of skilled workforce to carry it forward. Knowing this, some students consider going for an MBA information technology with the plan to pursue a career as an IT manager or director. But is this step really necessary to be successful as a manager or higher level executive in the IT world?
We will explore the pros and cons of pursuing an MBA in information technology and attempt to answer this question.
Some Positions Require an MBA in Information Technology
An MBA in IT will help you land a position that requires this level of education, such as IT project management, business analyst, enterprise architecture, functional consultant, business intelligence, technology functional consultant and others.
An MBA is Expensive
Tuition for an MBA can be as much as 100,000 USD or more. There is lost salary for two years, especially if you opt for the full time program.
In IT Experience Has More Weight than Formal Education
In an IT field, certifications and work experience are usually more important than education credentials. Many industries and companies want to hire managers who have specific knowledge and experience in their industry, instead of those who have broad-spectrum educations, like an MBA curriculum. Take time to find out what hiring managers in your field are looking for. Because of how rapidly things change in the technology and business world today, those in positions to hire are inclined to look at candidates’ familiarity and achievements when filling a position, and asses a candidates ability to adapt, learn and change as an indication of future success.
MBA Is a Large Time Commitment
The standard MBA takes two years to attain. There are fast track programs which are more intensive and extended programs that you can attend on nights and weekends but whatever you choose, there will be some sort of long term time commitment involved.
The Answer
It’s hard to give a black and white answer to a question like this without knowing person’s career goals and the company they wish to work for. For an existing IT professional who wants to move into management or a higher level position it may be better to get an MBA outside of IT to make up for gaps in business knowledge. In many industries, an MBA won’t help you progress enough to offset the cost. In an economic downturn an MBA may even be a liability. In the IT field experience is the king, and the environment changes so rapidly that an MBA becomes outdated quickly. Many in IT become managers without an MBA because of the experience they have on the job. So, unless the position you desire requires it, an MBA in information technology is not really necessary.
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