EMBA (NUS) Is is worth the investment?

[Justneeda2ndchance]

Hi brothers and sisters,

Recently I attended an NUS EMBA talk and I will like to seek your advice if this programme is worth the investment?

It cost 90k (after NUS alumini discount) and 15 mths (part time).

I tried looking in the internet to research about this programme and some figures ($$) caught my attention. Average NUS EMBA graduate annual income is about $160,000. While i know that figures on the net cannot be trusted wholly but it's still a quite significant figure.

I'm now a project manager in a listed construction company. I may have the intention to start up my own business again. (After failing one business venture about 3 years ago)

My most major concern is the study loan. 90k loan. And i know that i have already debts to carry from my previous failed business. In addition my CBS score are far from impressive. Will I still get a loan approval?

Lastly, I'm 38 and without children. Timing to take such programme is an essence. If i were to have children in the near future, and when numbers added to my age, I'm worried that i may not have the energy and time to commit to a postgrad program again.

Brothers and sisters, any advise is valuable to me. Thank you in advance!

 

[Rogue Trader]

Don't bother. EMBA courses are mainly for networking purposes. If you have already decided on setting up your businrss then that money is better spent on cheonging KTVs to network with other towkays in the construction industry

 

[Chase]

1. NUS might not really admit you for their MBA program. Such program needs diversity. Having more locals is like in-breeding which affects the ranking for their MBA program. An accomplished friend of mine, who represented Singapore on many events also got rejected.

2. Congratulations if you get admitted because you will pay lower fees. However, in the MBA arena, it's about having AMDK names. INSEAD, Chicago Business Schools and likes, are better sg-based MBA programmes. Otherwise, consider going to a good Aust or US universities for MBA programmes so that you can also explore overseas work opportunities and citizenship since your wife have not conceived yet.

3. Lastly, if you want something more tangible, go for MEng, JD or MAcc programmes. MBA programmes is about mingling with people and networking but honestly if you have nothing much to impress your MBA cohort, consider a Masters in Engineering course or Master in Accountancy course which values add your resume in a tangible way: Example:

• Even if you don't have accounting background, u can get Masters in Accountancy (if it is your interests), then convert to CPA Australia and become an internal auditor
• Even if you don't have legal training, you can join JD programmes in US or Melbourne Uni and become an corporate legal eagle
• Or you can take up MEng programmes in UK that comes with exemptions or accreditations to UK professional engineers licence, etc.

Please take note that all these paths will require long time frame but the rewards are there to reap. Please read up more. Don't just think getting an MBA will UP your career prospects. With recession around the corner, please thread carefully and not lose your rice-bowl first. Good luck