144: Should I Get a Masters in Engineering Management or MBA [Podcast]

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Engineering Management (EM) vs MBA? That is a question I have talked about a lot in the last few years. 

I have both a masters in engineering and an MBA. And since joining the university, I have been running an engineering management program (Information Engineering and Management or IEM). So I have seen them all up close and personal. 

I have the conversation almost daily with engineers and technology leaders who are looking to grow through higher education and considering both the MBA and the Engineering Management paths. 

Should I Get a Masters in Engineering Management or MBA (Podcast Outline)

1. Things to consider before making the decision
   • The company I work for or want to work for – culture
   • Knowing where you want to go
2. Define your goal
   • Management strictly and get out of technology
   • Move into technical management
3. MBA Programs – Not all the same
   • Course work similar but varieties
     • Economics.
     • Accounting.
     • Entrepreneurship.
     • Marketing.
     • Strategy.
     • Project Management.
     • Organizational development.
   • Connections to industry highly variable
     • Some pure academic
     • Some talk about the industry with little true connections
     • Some highly connected
4. Engineering Management Program – Not all the same
   • Course work variations
     • Statistics
     • Systems engineering
     • Project Management.
     • Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
     • Leadership and strategy.
     • Communications.
     • Technical paths.
   • Connections to industry
     • Often less than in the MBA.
     • Look behind the scenes and ask questions.
5. How to evaluate
   • What is your goal? 
     • Move into technology leadership.
     • Pure academic vs applied.
     • Just get a degree.
   • Look at faculty
     • What industry backgrounds do they have?
     • Have they ever practiced what they teach?
   • Is experience required
     • If you want to grow your network – go for programs that require experience
     • Many programs geared to recent graduates
   • What are the income projections? 
6. Other Considerations
   • Does the EM talk more your language
   • Does this EM help you move from tech doer to tech leader
7. About IEM
   • Real-world
   • Real faculty
   • Client-focused vs curriculum-focused
   • Coaching
   • The $30k challenge

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Links mentioned in this episode:

• Master of Engineering Management in Information Engineering and Management
• Master of Engineering or MBA?