[ednever]

Getting an MBA from a non-top school CAN help. The key is understanding how it can help: 1- If your pre-MBA employer has a strong brand, and you are not planning to switch functions, then a mid-tier MBA will hurt you (i.e., you are working at Amazon in marketing. Getting an MBA from University of Portland thinking it will accelerate your marketing career is a mistake)

2- If you are using an MBA to switch functions, then even a lower tier school will help you do that (but obviously not as valuable as a higher tier school)

"Traditional employee" here just means someone working for an employer - not self employed or starting their own company. It does not mean "an average employee". Clearly a random person off the street is not going to make $1MM/year anytime soon. And anyone who claims they could make that happen are lying.

Also: I would hope much of the advice is helpful for anyone who wants to "accelerate" their career, even if they don't take it all the way to $1MM.