Should I bother applying to PhD program? MA in Econ bad for career?

[macroeconomicus]

If your goal is MBA and the jobs that come with that degree, you might as well skip the economics MA because it doesn't bring much to the table. Just get the best job you can get now, work for about three years, get a good score in the GMAT test, some good letters from employers (in addition to your professors) and go for an MBA degree at a business school with the best reputation you can get into.

[YoungEconomist]

Originally Posted by macroeconomicus

If your goal is MBA and the jobs that come with that degree, you might as well skip the economics MA because it doesn't bring much to the table. Just get the best job you can get now, work for about three years, get a good score in the GMAT test, some good letters from employers (in addition to your professors) and go for an MBA degree at a business school with the best reputation you can get into.

I think it's possible that an MA in addition to an MBA could be pretty valuable, especially in the finance industry. Additional comments on this topic would be appreciated.

[macroeconomicus]

I don't know that is exactly a typical MA in economics that makes it a must have for getting a finance job. MBA is still a better degree if you're aiming for the following careers:

1. Investment banking (I am talking about investment banking in traditional sense, not quant jobs at investment banks).

2. Stock picking and/or valuation.

3. Pension fund management.

4. Corporate financial management.

5. Venture capital investing.

Also, not all MBA programs emphasize "soft" skills. There are some MBA programs that offer a good amount quantitative skill courses (maybe MIT, Purdue, UCSD), just right for the job but not necessarily at the level of econ PhD or MS in quant finance.

[YoungEconomist]

Originally Posted by macroeconomicus

Also, not all MBA programs emphasize "soft" skills. There are some MBA programs that offer a good amount quantitative skill courses (maybe MIT, Purdue, UCSD), just right for the job but not necessarily at the level of econ PhD or MS in quant finance.

I heard Chicago also emphasizes the quantitative aspects of finance in their MBA program.

[moneyandcredit]

Thanks for letting me know where an MBA might be more appropriate. The only reason I'm still attracted to an MA program if I don't get admitted to a PhD program is that the MA might open up other opportunities that don't involve financial management.

I'm still not exactly sure what I want to do once I'm out of school, and I'm fascinated with Economics, so I'd like to study more of it after my BA is completed.

[YoungEconomist]

Originally Posted by moneyandcredit

Thanks for letting me know where an MBA might be more appropriate. The only reason I'm still attracted to an MA program if I don't get admitted to a PhD program is that the MA might open up other opportunities that don't involve financial management.

I'm still not exactly sure what I want to do once I'm out of school, and I'm fascinated with Economics, so I'd like to study more of it after my BA is completed.

You and I are a lot alike moneyandcredit. I don't know if I want to go the academic route or the private sector route, and the MBA may allow me many great opportunities in the private sector. However, I feel like graduate training in economics will open up additional doors of interest. Most importantly, I'm fascinated with economics and definitely want to go above the BA level. In other words, I'm not satisfied with my knowledge of economics and want to learn more, and feel that it will be well worth it personally to attend graduate school even if I don't pursue and academic career. Lastly, if I only obtain a masters degree in economics and feel like I should have went for the MBA, I can always go back after some work experience.