Ask HN: How best can a software engineer prepare for getting into a Bschool?

[hubatrix]

I am fresher at a multinational company, and I am aspiring to do MBA after 2 years of experience, I am into R&D and just code day in day out, and as it is a product based company promotions take time (more than 3 years on avg). what do you think I should do to portray myself as a serious candidate for MBA program? what activities (in specific), what extra thing, etc. I am yet to give my GMAT.

[joeclark77]

Just ace the GMAT and they'll be happy to have you.

You should also have a decent reason why you want the MBA, and some sense of what you might do afterward. In my case, I had been through the dotcom bubble of 1997-2001 as a web developer, saw that all these companies had business models that made no sense, but didn't know what the better way was, so I thought I needed to get that MBA (in 2002-2004) to understand what makes a good business model.

I suspect if you read HN, you have at least a little bit of interest in entrepreneurship, and that could be what you talk about in your interviews. Don't worry!

[hubatrix]

True I am inclined more towards entrepreneurial methodologies, in fact bootstrapping a small startup. thanks for your insight. I like the way you played the question "why MBA".

[nemild]

If so, I would focus on entrepreneurship. You don't need an MBA - and it may even be counterproductive for the earliest stages of entrepreneurship (coming from someone who has both an eng degree and MBA).

Still, hard to say 100% without knowing your background and goals.

[joeclark77]

I actually think one of the best cases for an MBA is for a techie who wants to expand their business skills. When someone who does an undergraduate business degree comes back for an MBA, they're really wasting time going over things they already learned, just to gain a credential. For a programmer, though, an MBA could be your first exposure to fundamental stuff like the basics of finance, accounting, and marketing. Heaven knows they don't teach us about compound interest in high school.

[hubatrix]

So true, well I have a question, my plan is to work for 2 years in R&D and curate a story line telling how now that I know the technical part I would like to learn more about management part. Or should I make the story about the startup I am working on which is in the energy sector, showcasing how I grew the company from what it is to what it became? What do you think will look more appealing for the MBA colleges a kid who built a small startup(might become successful but fewer chances, also it can fail too ) or a kid who worked at a Fortune 50 company for 2 years as R&D Engineer and learned the technologies good enough? Honest opinion

[joeclark77]

Unless you're targeting the Harvards and Whartons of the world, either should be fine. Graduate schools aren't too picky, they just want to know that you have the ability and are going to follow through and finish. My point was really that you should know for yourself why you want the MBA. Honesty works well in interviews.

Now, if you're targeting a top-10 program, understand that for those schools it's all about the rankings. MBA programs are ranked on things like GMAT scores but also on starting salaries after graduation. What's the best indicator you'll get a high salary after graduation? Answer: you have a high salary before entering the program. If you want to get into a Harvard or Wharton MBA, tell them about your job making six figures at a Fortune 50 company and that you want the MBA so you can get promoted to the next rank of management. Acing the GMAT would also help. No matter what the brochure says, they don't really want dreamers who want to change the world. For those top-10 schools, the full time MBA program is really kind of a showcase to keep them up in the rankings. Then they can cash in with undergraduate tuition, executive and part-time MBA programs (companies usually pay for these for their employees), publishing, and other side ventures.

[myrobostation]

Unless you are falling out of love for software development, being the cool mysterious guy who solves everything, always getting challenged to the brink. Then and then only you may opt for a MBA.

[hubatrix]

I just can't see myself coding for next 20 years whilst everyone else around me making millions just with getting C-type roles. I love technology!

[nemild]

And you can make good money while coding and working with technology. You don't have to be a C level executive or work primarily on the business side.