Hi everyone,

I am a postdoctoral researcher in robotics and AI quite tired of the academic life and looking for moving to a business position. More specifically I am interested in innovative businesses (IoT, BigData, Virtual Reality, etc.) and entrepreneurship. I have already tried with some job positions but they all see my profile to be too abstract and technical. That is why I consider that getting a degree such an MBA could help. I have 7 years of working experience (with 5 years managing teams and projects). I speak Spanish, English and can survive to speak French.

This is the list of schools I am looking at so far:

- IE
- Manchester Alliance
- Warwick
- iMBA Illinois
- EADA

I have read in many threads Duncan saying that we should pick the programme based on the value it provides and not its cost, but I guess that the value is obtained for the average MBA student (consulting, banking, business backgrounds). As my profile is, let's say, not conventional (and probably will get lower salaries), I am a bit skeptical about me getting the same value from the MBA. Would it be still worth it?

Being more pragmatical, and aiming just to get a degree ASAP. I have listed the following 1-year and cheaper programmes:

- UNIR - Distance Learning MBA
- OBS - Global MBA Online
- EU business school - MBA Entrepreneurship

What do you think? Would the top-ranked programmes still be worth it given my profile? or would a cheaper and faster programme be a better fit? Among those programmes listed, which ones will you pick for each case?

Thanks a lot!

[Edited by Pablo Gómez on Dec 28, 2018]

You need a career consultant, not an MBA. An MBA won't lead you to the sort of roles you describe. If you look on LinkedIn, you will see people in those roles don't have MBAs.

As postdoc, are there resources available to you to allow you to move into entrepreneurship projects in STEM fields? In the UK, for example, there are KTP and Horizon funds aimed at people with academic backgrounds.

Thanks Duncan. I'll consider your advice.

Hello Pablo
I come from a bit similar background, I have PhD in AI as well :)
I found it very easy to find jobs as Project Manager in IT companies when I started in Business.
A PMP or PRINCE2 certification is a good start.
I did an MBA later down the road, it was very good decision

Keep in mind depending where you are working, countries like Germany value your PhD more than MBA for management, so checking Linkedin like Duncan said, will help you identify what companies in your area of interest are looking for

A good step would be to identify what role you are looking for. IT manager? Project Manager? Service Management? etc. Be specific in what you are looking for, for your own sake (this is where a career consultant, or a lot of research, can help)

Hi George!

Getting a PMP or PRINCE2 certification is a great idea indeed. I'll follow that approach.

Which MBA did you do? Do you think that for our profile the business school is that important?

Thanks again for your help