Re:Elite MBA Programs Report Steep Drop in Applications
by aswanson on Tuesday October 15, 2019 @10:17AM
(#21258587)
HBS is also a trailer in terms of what is on the horizon and is an indicator of what not to do. There are studies done showing that most of the grads chase the worst fad at the worst time. In 1989 they were all chasing Japanese manufacturing consultancies, in 1999, all internet ceo jobs, etc. They're never predictive, just chasing what seems hot.
Re:Elite MBA Programs Report Steep Drop in Applications
by vo2maxer on Tuesday October 15, 2019 @11:22AM
(#21259392)
When I applied for an MBA, Harvard was known for a strong general management program as distinct from Wharton’s more quantitative and finance oriented. I chose the latter precisely because of this emphasis. I entered with years of experience in the medical field, and much older than most students (I did the full time program). Did it help me later with anything? Not really, other than the prestige associated with it and getting the top C-level job at a large medical group. Would I do it again? No. I wish I’d had the foresight to go for CS (early 90s), which I’m furiously self-teaching now. I’ve (mildly) encouraged my kids to stay away from the MBA fluff, even from Medicine, and go for hard science, mathematics, and computer science.
I'm not saying that the skills taught are not useful, what I'm saying is that the concept of a generalized "business administration" course that somehow qualifies you to run any and all businesses is basically flawed.
Management is a skill or craft, not a profession. Harvard's model of case studies is a useful skill training technique, but anecdata doesn't make a science.