Combining Physics Degree & MBA: Benefits & Experiences?

[Niles]

Hi all.

I have read some stuff about how an engineering degree supplementet by a MBA is very valuable. Do you guys have any experience if it is the same with a physics degree?


Niles.

 

[Dr Transport]

I work with a guy who has a BS in Physics and a MBA and is now working on a Masters in Engineering. An MBA is never a bad choice in this business climate.

 

[Choppy]

I think this depends on the kind of work you want to do. If you eventually see yourself getting involved in management or administration, then I think an MBA is of value. Considering an MBA and a physics undergraduate degree, I think you would be highly marketable because not only would you have management skills, but you would also have a knowledge base in physics and mathematics that is rare in business management. If your goal is to advance in research, it's probably a waste of time.

 

[Topher925]

I think this depends on the kind of work you want to do. If you eventually see yourself getting involved in management or administration, then I think an MBA is of value. Considering an MBA and a physics undergraduate degree, I think you would be highly marketable because not only would you have management skills, but you would also have a knowledge base in physics and mathematics that is rare in business management. If your goal is to advance in research, it's probably a waste of time.

I agree. An MBA with a physics degree could open up a lot of doors in the business and finance world.

 

[marlon]

I agree. An MBA with a physics degree could open up a lot of doors in the business and finance world.

Absolutely !

marlon

 

[Dr Transport]

I agree. An MBA with a physics degree could open up a lot of doors in the business and finance world.

It opens up doors in almost all fields, not just the business and finance world. I have friends who work in aerospace, the computer industry etc who have physics degrees and MBA's.

 

[Locrian]

The value of MBAs often depend heavily on what school you get it from. They also tend to be valuable depending on prior experience. Grabbing an MBA from a well known school while working at an industry job could really add some value. Getting an MBA right out of your undergrad from a lesser known school with no work experience is most likely a big waste of time.

 

[Niles]

Absolutely !

marlon

I read that you work in the financial industry at the moment. For how many years would you say that physicists can still get jobs in financial industry, until financial engineers take over?

And are there any particular things that would be very good to work extra hard on during during undergrad in order to be in high demand in the financial industry as a physicist?

 

[Pythagorean]

If your goal is to advance in research, it's probably a waste of time.

Of course, if you want to advance research (as opposed to advancing in research) getting into the administration will allow you to open more doors for scientists who are held back by bureaucracy... if just one socially intelligent scientist at every university took one for the team and did that...

 

[Locrian]

And are there any particular things that would be very good to work extra hard on during during undergrad in order to be in high demand in the financial industry as a physicist?

While Marlon will undoubtedly have valuable information as well, if I were you I'd spend some time http://jobs.phds.org/quantitative-finance" , if you haven't.

 

[avant-garde]

Should you really have a technical background before getting an MBA??

 

[iceman5]

I have a BS in physics and am currently working on an MBA and an ME in polymer science. It's been my experience that my degree in physics didn't adequately prepare me for the business world. It's also been my unfortunate experience that many hiring managers don't know what a physics degree is.

If you are going to purse a business career leading to management, I see that the MBA is becoming the new "ticket to the dance", the same that a bachelor's degree was 15 years ago. You may want to also consider an advanced degree in a field of study that interests you.