Contemplating an MBA after BA in Journalism

[NeilCartwright]

I hate to air out my business but I need to bounce some ideas around.

Finished up my BA in Journalism from an HBCU in 2017, then commissioned as an officer in the military. I’m getting out the summer, but will have 4 yrs active duty time on paper by the time im out.

Luckily I was the main POC for my unit (and sub units) so basically over 500+ people. Writing articles, managing social media, communicating between my unit and the district level, coordinating week long visits from foreign dignitaries, etc. We actually had 4 brothers from Guinea come down for a week and exchange ideas on how they conduct maritime business as opposed to how we do things in the US. Along with basically being in a managerial role for my regular military job.

I’m getting my resume together and feel like I have a strong public affairs background, but have been told an MBA, concentrating in accounting, might be a good look to change career fields. The main thing is the potential salary is higher compared to public affairs positions. I do feel like I can leverage my management experience in the military to offset my lack of undergrad business experience though.

I’m just wondering if making that large career shift from journalism to business is doable.

*For reference I’m talking to recent grads with only bachelors and at the most they’re making 45k (really only one. A Breh from Morehouse working at IBM). Most ppl I know are making around 30-35k, if they’re working at all.

On the flip side the 3 ppl I know swear by getting an MBA, and just leveraged their prior military experience or job experience. I got a Breh who’s undergrad was in political science, copped an MBA and got an offer out in DC making 80k. After being in the workforce for 3 years.

 

[GetSomeMoney]

That's quite a transition to go from journalism to accounting, are you interested in being an accountant or just the money? If you are trying to be an accountant, I think an MBA won't be quite enough, you would probably need to become a CPA too.

 

[NeilCartwright]

That's quite a transition to go from journalism to accounting, are you interested in being an accountant or just the money? If you are trying to be an accountant, I think an MBA won't be quite enough, you would probably need to become a CPA too.

It is quite a jump. Initially my plan was to ride out being an officer in the military for 20 years, but I’m having to call an audible.

And yes to be honest it’s about the $$ at this point. I’m thinking about my potential earnings with only my undergrad as opposed to an MBA

 

[phcitywarrior]

OP, don't think too much about it. Just do it. I've seen people study history UG then get a Top 10 MBA and move into the corporate space. Does prior experience within corporate/business help? Sure, but a lot of the ins and outs of the corporate world can be picked up during a summer MBA internship. You'll learn a lot on the job, the MBA will educate you on the nomenclature of business.

If the military can foot a large portion of the bill, even better. I'd say aim for a Top 15 school, Top 25-30 only if you'll be graduating with little to no debt.

Check out US news for the rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/mba-rankings

Rankings for the most part don't really change. The top schools tend to be the top schools.

Something to note, if you do end up getting your MBA, just know that the recruiting tends to be very localized to the major cities where you're school is located, the exception being for the Top 3-5 schools that have a nationwide pull.

Don't go to UCLA if you plan on working in NYC, vice versa, don't go to NYU if you plan on possibly working on the West coast.

 

[GetSomeMoney]

OP, don't think too much about it. Just do it. I've seen people study history UG then get a Top 10 MBA and move into the corporate space. Does prior experience within corporate/business help? Sure, but a lot of the ins and outs of the corporate world can be picked up during a summer MBA internship. You'll learn a lot on the job, the MBA will educate you on the nomenclature of business.

If the military can foot a large portion of the bill, even better. I'd say aim for a Top 15 school, Top 25-30 only if you'll be graduating with little to no debt.

Check out US news for the rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/mba-rankings

Rankings for the most part don't really change. The top schools tend to be the top schools.

Something to note, if you do end up getting your MBA, just know that the recruiting tends to be very localized to the major cities where you're school is located, the exception being for the Top 3-5 schools that have a nationwide pull.

Don't go to UCLA if you plan on working in NYC, vice versa, don't go to NYU if you plan on possibly working on the east coast.

THIS, Breh pretty much summed it up. The only thing I would add in regards to accounting is make sure it's something you are interested in.

 

[phcitywarrior]

THIS, Breh pretty much summed it up. The only thing I would add in regards to accounting is make sure it's something you are interested in.

Yea, totally forgot about this. Know the basics of accounting, but make sure you love it if you want to pursue a career in.

I remember I was talking to a partner at KPMG that does Tax. This dude was telling me it was an exciting year in the tax world.

I was like .

How is Tax exciting.

 

[Rawtid]

I think getting an MBA is a good idea, but I would scrap the accounting part. If money is the goal, you can get there far easier with your current skills plus an MBA. I'm assuming you have a a clearance, so you can easily get a fed job doing things you've already been doing, that is if you like doing that, just for a different department. GS12 and GS13 positions are in the salary range you're looking for and require a Masters Degree. When you build your new resume, change the journalism references to "research" where applicable. That term aligns more with business than journalism does.

If you legit want to do accounting, I won't discourage you, but there are ways you can shift into a more lucrative path with your talents without studying a new field.

 

[NeilCartwright]

I think getting an MBA is a good idea, but I would scrap the accounting part. If money is the goal, you can get there far easier with your current skills plus an MBA. I'm assuming you have a a clearance, so you can easily get a fed job doing things you've already been doing, that is if you like doing that, just for a different department. GS12 and GS13 positions are in the salary range you're looking for and require a Masters Degree. When you build your new resume, change the journalism references to "research" where applicable. That term aligns more with business than journalism does.

If you legit want to do accounting, I won't discourage you, but there are ways you can shift into a more lucrative path with your talents without studying a new field.

Nah unfortunately I don’t have a clearance. And I’ll make a note of that to word the public affairs experience to more of a research role.

And I’m not dead set on accounting, it was recommended to me to concentrate in that bc it’s a lucrative niche. I’m open to other options when I comes time to enroll in a program.

 

[MillionMills]

If you're going into accounting, you should get a CPA, not an MBA. Nobody in the field of accounting places more value on an MBA than a CPA. If you need to get more accounting credits, get a Masters in Accounting, then CPA. MBA is not necessary

 

[Spin]

Nah unfortunately I don’t have a clearance. And I’ll make a note of that to word the public affairs experience to more of a research role.

And I’m not dead set on accounting, it was recommended to me to concentrate in that bc it’s a lucrative niche. I’m open to other options when I comes time to enroll in a program.

How are you in the military without a clearance? you might want to check on that as you should at least have a secret clearance. Did you get the GI Bill/Post 9-11? You shouldn't be coming out of pocket for an MBA since you're military. Truth be told, your military experience is probably worth more than most MBA's. It gave you real life experience and employers are hungry to hire veterans to give off a good image. Contact this organization American Corporate Partners. I would suggest working for a consulting firm (Deloitte, Accenture, Bain, etc) since you already have experience with public affairs. You will also get to see how businesses are run and meet key decision makers. Don't sell yourself short. You're in a great position.

 

[NeilCartwright]

How are you in the military without a clearance? you might want to check on that as you should at least have a secret clearance. Did you get the GI Bill/Post 9-11? You shouldn't be coming out of pocket for an MBA since you're military. Truth be told, your military experience is probably worth more than most MBA's. It gave you real life experience and employers are hungry to hire veterans to give off a good image. Contact this organization American Corporate Partners. I would suggest working for a consulting firm (Deloitte, Accenture, Bain, etc) since you already have experience with public affairs. You will also get to see how businesses are run and meet key decision makers. Don't sell yourself short. You're in a great position.

They were supposed to put me in for one 4 years ago, but my command never pushed the paperwork forward. Then earlier this year i transitioned into a different role where i actually needed one, and a few weeks later i got jammed up in my legal allegations, which have since been dropped. But even still, i cant get a clearance before i get out.

And i agree with you on the experience. Our whole evaluation process, is essentially taking credit for what other people or the entire team did. It is what it is. Luckily the office on base that deals with resume writing is great. We're almost finished with it and its looking pretty good. Once its finished ill put it out and see if i can get some call backs.

I also submitted my application for ACP, i should be getting a call back early next week.