Reality Check: Is Your MBA Still Worth it in the Brutal Job Market?

Let's face the facts: job hunt sentiment just hit its lowest point in a decade. We don't even need WaPo to tell us that.

Candidates are applying to hundreds of jobs, landing no interviews, and are getting ghosted left and right. The situation is beyond discouraging and, for many, it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

For those of us in the MBA world – whether you're applying, currently in school, or a recent grad – this hits different. The reality is that a lot of us signed up for this thinking it was a sure path.

Well... think again.

The old rules no longer apply

Remember when MBB firms were tossing out offers at the peak of the pandemic? Those days are over. McKinsey, Bain, and BCG are all being way more selective now. Investment banks are pushing back start dates for new hires. Also, FAANG companies have laid off thousands.... while simultaneously reporting strong earnings. Go figure.

Here's what's actually happening

Before you start spiraling, I'll share some good news: some of the "old" doors are slamming shut... but new ones are opening everywhere.

AI Product Manager roles? Up 120% year over year. Additionally, European MBA programs are placing grads in markets that American students never even considered. Also, employers are prioritizing what you can actually do (or have done) versus where you graduated from.

The people crushing it right now aren't necessarily the ones from the best-known programs. They're the ones who can sell, understand AI, and bring real experience to the role – from day one.

The question you should really be asking

Many are still asking, "Should I get an MBA?"

It's a fair question to ask, but I think it's the wrong one.

Instead, ask yourself: "What problem am I trying to solve?"

Getting an MBA makes sense if:

• You're genuinely stuck and need to improve your trajectory
• You need specific skills that you can't get anywhere else
• The network would legitimately change your life (and I mean really change it...not just give you some LinkedIn connections)

However, you might skip the MBA if:

• You're already on a solid path with growth potential
• You can learn what you need through other means without going into debt
• Your function or industry values results over credentials

Here's what I'm recommending

The following hold true – even in today's market:

Focus on building skills that matter. Stop chasing credentials and start developing skills that create immediate value. Can you sell? Do you understand AI tools? How have you used them to solve business problems?

Create value first, ask for things later. Everyone's tired of hearing from people who start with what they want... instead of what they can contribute. Build something. Fix something. Make something better. Then, talk about what you're looking for.

Network like your career depends on it. Because it literally does. However, it's not all transactional. Build genuine relationships based on mutual value creation.

Consider paths that aren't on everyone's radar. European MBA programs, specialized certificates, starting your own thing, or just taking a strategic career pivot might give you better ROI than the traditional route.

So... where does that leave us?

I still believe that MBA can still be incredibly powerful for your career... but only if you're going in with your eyes wide open.

This isn't the market to get an MBA because it's "what you're supposed to do next" or because your parents think it's a good idea. (I've had plenty of those conversations lately, and it's simply not a good enough reason to hop back into school.) Instead, you need to have a strong idea of what you want to do post-MBA... and determine whether the degree helps you get there.

If you can figure out how to create value in this environment, you'll be way ahead of everyone else who is still doing the same old thing.

What do you think? Are you seeing opportunities in unexpected places, or is the market even tougher than what we're talking about here? Hit me up at laura@bethindthemba.com – I want to hear your take.