Besides an M.Arch degree, an MBA degree can give us a good sense of economy, management, finances, etc. It can also help us to network.
Does it help us to build our own careers? Does it increase employment chances and/or result in higher pay? Is it worth it?
senjohnblutarsky
May 17, 17 2:55 pm
Well, I am employed and have neither of the degrees you mentioned. I've been continuously employed since graduating.
Non Sequitur
May 17, 17 3:11 pm
You should be employable following your M.Arch. If not... seek a refund. More paper and letters after your name won't automatically move you forward if you don't know the profession.
cr3sc3nt
May 17, 17 3:15 pm
How about for building your own practice?
Non Sequitur
May 17, 17 3:45 pm
Sure, but you have to work first before running a practice. How else would you know what do to? More diplomas won't get you there by themselves.
l3wis
May 17, 17 4:12 pm
i think an MBA would only be useful after you have had at least 5-7+ years of architectural practice getting really great, rounded experience, and are afterwards in a good position to start your own firm anyways. OR maybe you want to take on the business aspect in a larger corporate firm.
geezertect
May 17, 17 4:21 pm
An MBA won't teach you how to run a professional practice (any profession). The main thing it will do is acquaint you with basic concepts of finance, marketing, etc. that you didn't get exposed to in high school or architecture school. It will improve your mindset if and when you get into a management position or decide to go into business for yourself. It probably won't mean much in the job search or client search. So, if you can take cheap courses or seminars or whatever in business without going the entire degree route, it is worth doing. Much of it can be self-taught for less $$$. If you want to move into a different part of the building industry, such as construction management or real estate development, then the degree might be worth the expense and effort.
Education is like any other investment. You have to weight the costs and benefits, and don't be afraid if you conclude it isn't worth it. Contrary to popular myth, education isn't priceless. It's a commodity like anything else.
cr3sc3nt
May 17, 17 4:55 pm
Thank you all for the comments and advice. I was looking at Yale's joint degree program and thought it might be efficient to get MBA exposure while the student is already there. This means that the student won't have as much experience in just the architecture profession before doing an MBA, but it can lower costs and time spent for the degree?
Dangermouse
May 17, 17 7:23 pm
the yale joint degree is great if you plan on going into real estate development in NYC, but a degree is overkill if you simply want 'mba exposure'. you can take business electives and join clubs for that. it will neither lower costs nor reduce time spent in school.
sure2016
May 19, 17 4:12 pm
I've been applying to part-time MBA programs for the fall of 2017. An MBA can absolutely help with your career. You mentioned networking, management and financial training - I would also add leadership and communication skills. A lot of my clients are MBA graduates - I'm hoping it will help relating to the and gaining credibility in their world.
As others have said - you should definitely work for a few years before embarking on an MBA.
quizzical
May 24, 17 5:00 pm
cr3sc3nt: If you have not received all the responses you desire on this topic I suggest that you you do a keyword search on the forum for "MBA" - this is a very common topic here and there are quite a few earlier threads that cover your questions in great detail.
cr3sc3nt
May 24, 17 11:39 pm
Thank you. I read the threads and they were very helpful. I am still quite young and inexperienced so I have some doubts about pursuing an MBA already, but I really like the idea of completing both degrees in a shortened period of time while maximizing the academic experience. What I realized is how architecture students become part of such tightly knit communities and rarely interact with other majors on a personal level. So perhaps the MBA can really help out there - even just to get a bit wiser as a person.
Besides an M.Arch degree, an MBA degree can give us a good sense of economy, management, finances, etc. It can also help us to network.
Does it help us to build our own careers? Does it increase employment chances and/or result in higher pay? Is it worth it?
Well, I am employed and have neither of the degrees you mentioned. I've been continuously employed since graduating.
You should be employable following your M.Arch. If not... seek a refund. More paper and letters after your name won't automatically move you forward if you don't know the profession.
How about for building your own practice?
Sure, but you have to work first before running a practice. How else would you know what do to? More diplomas won't get you there by themselves.
i think an MBA would only be useful after you have had at least 5-7+ years of architectural practice getting really great, rounded experience, and are afterwards in a good position to start your own firm anyways. OR maybe you want to take on the business aspect in a larger corporate firm.
An MBA won't teach you how to run a professional practice (any profession). The main thing it will do is acquaint you with basic concepts of finance, marketing, etc. that you didn't get exposed to in high school or architecture school. It will improve your mindset if and when you get into a management position or decide to go into business for yourself. It probably won't mean much in the job search or client search. So, if you can take cheap courses or seminars or whatever in business without going the entire degree route, it is worth doing. Much of it can be self-taught for less $$$. If you want to move into a different part of the building industry, such as construction management or real estate development, then the degree might be worth the expense and effort.
Education is like any other investment. You have to weight the costs and benefits, and don't be afraid if you conclude it isn't worth it. Contrary to popular myth, education isn't priceless. It's a commodity like anything else.
Thank you all for the comments and advice. I was looking at Yale's joint degree program and thought it might be efficient to get MBA exposure while the student is already there. This means that the student won't have as much experience in just the architecture profession before doing an MBA, but it can lower costs and time spent for the degree?
the yale joint degree is great if you plan on going into real estate development in NYC, but a degree is overkill if you simply want 'mba exposure'. you can take business electives and join clubs for that. it will neither lower costs nor reduce time spent in school.
I've been applying to part-time MBA programs for the fall of 2017. An MBA can absolutely help with your career. You mentioned networking, management and financial training - I would also add leadership and communication skills. A lot of my clients are MBA graduates - I'm hoping it will help relating to the and gaining credibility in their world.
As others have said - you should definitely work for a few years before embarking on an MBA.
cr3sc3nt: If you have not received all the responses you desire on this topic I suggest that you you do a keyword search on the forum for "MBA" - this is a very common topic here and there are quite a few earlier threads that cover your questions in great detail.
Thank you. I read the threads and they were very helpful. I am still quite young and inexperienced so I have some doubts about pursuing an MBA already, but I really like the idea of completing both degrees in a shortened period of time while maximizing the academic experience. What I realized is how architecture students become part of such tightly knit communities and rarely interact with other majors on a personal level. So perhaps the MBA can really help out there - even just to get a bit wiser as a person.