“In the IT industry, where technology and business strategies are increasingly intertwined, having a strong foundation in both areas is invaluable,” Cohn says. “An MBA equips IT leaders with the business acumen necessary to align IT initiatives with overall organizational goals, making them indispensable assets to their companies.”
Pro 7: You’ll likely make more money
An IT leader with an MBA can usually command a higher salary than someone with only IT credentials. How much higher depends on many factors, including the enterprise’s size, market, and value. If you’re lucky, your current employer will recognize your accomplishment and automatically reward you with a pay raise.
Now, here’s a look at the major drawbacks.
Con 1: Your personal life may suffer
Obtaining an MBA isn’t easy. Even when approached on a part-time or virtual basis, the process is demanding and time-consuming. With little spare time to spend with friends and family members, you may find yourself becoming depressed and isolated. Your depression could also spill over into your professional life.
AllCampus’ Bhargava advises IT leaders to evaluate a variety of MBA programs and to find one that fits their specific personal needs, including full-time, part-time, and even executive education programs. “There are various options and choosing the right format that aligns with the individual’s goals is very important.”
Con 2: Results may vary
An MBA may have only a limited positive effect when an IT leader’s existing role is highly specialized, if the enterprise doesn’t value add-on business acumen, or the individual already possesses strong leadership and business skills, observes Michael Falls, CEO of internet connectivity technology provider Sabertooth Tech Group. “The approach may be essentially useless when there’s no commitment, recognition, or justifiable return on investment,” he notes.
Falls believes that IT leaders can advance their careers without an MBA by focusing on continuous learning, earning certifications, leadership development, networking, and demonstrating exceptional performance in their roles, tailored to their career aspirations and context.
Con 3: You simply may not be cut out to be a business leader
Many IT leaders are quite satisfied being highly regarded tech experts and have little interest in becoming a business pro as well.
“If an IT leader isn’t willing to invest the time and effort to learn the new business and soft skills taught in an MBA program, having an MBA may not improve their career,” says startup investor Matthew Ramirez. “Similarly, if the IT leader has a negative attitude toward business school, or fails to recognize its value, the MBA is unlikely to have a positive impact on their career.”
Con 4: You may be disappointed
Obtaining an MBA doesn’t guarantee an instant career boost. While an MBA can be a powerful career advancing asset, there are situations when it may have only a limited positive impact.
“For instance, if an IT leader is already at the pinnacle of their career with extensive experience and a proven track record of success, the incremental benefits of an MBA may be minimal,” Cohn says. “Additionally, industries where specific technical certifications hold more weight than broad business knowledge might render an MBA less essential.”
Con 5: You may find yourself falling behind on critical new IT developments
Any type of formal or informal education will likely have a positive effect on an IT leader’s career. Knowledge, after all, is power. Yet the time dedicated to earning an MBA may draw attention away from rapidly evolving IT-related developments in areas such as AI and security, Bhargava notes.
Takeaway
There really isn’t a clear-cut answer as to whether an MBA is the best solution for IT leaders looking to advance their careers — it all depends on you and your career situation. “It’s a strategic decision that should be based on the needs of the individual, the organization, the industry, and the prevailing job market,” Bhargava advises.
