Stuck in a position

[Hello_Hello]

Folks I want to seek your help in advising me...I have worked for 1 company 1 client for more than 10 years as a programmer. I don't want to take another position as a programmer, but nobody is ready to take me in the management position with the experience I have(as a programmer). Do you think spending 40-50K doing MBA would make any difference in my struggle to find another a job. I hardly have 30-40K savings...I'm counting, whether spend my lifetime savings on myself or keep it for my kids..your inputs are greatly appreciated.

[GCHope2011]

Folks I want to seek your help in advising me...I have worked for 1 company 1 client for more than 10 years as a programmer. I don't want to take another position as a programmer, but nobody is ready to take me in the management position with the experience I have(as a programmer). Do you think spending 40-50K doing MBA would make any difference in my struggle to find another a job. I hardly have 30-40K savings...I'm counting, whether spend my lifetime savings on myself or keep it for my kids..your inputs are greatly appreciated.
Honest opinion - i dont know you, but given the situation outline you have given me, you might start benefiting by taking lead roles, either as designer or architect, or even project lead. To do that, you could do architecture certifications, or CAPM certification or PMI certification training at least. Once you do some of these, you will need to start applying the knowledge in your work and in talking with others, which will position you to be more than just a programmer.

These will not even cost you as much, while giving you the much needed confidence to take on a different role.

[Hello_Hello]

My basic question is can a MBA degree, without any management experience, help you escape out of stagnant hole. Can you reword the question so it makes sense

[ArkBird]

Folks I want to seek your help in advising me...I have worked for 1 company 1 client for more than 10 years as a programmer. I don't want to take another position as a programmer, but nobody is ready to take me in the management position with the experience I have(as a programmer). Do you think spending 40-50K doing MBA would make any difference in my struggle to find another a job. I hardly have 30-40K savings...I'm counting, whether spend my lifetime savings on myself or keep it for my kids..your inputs are greatly appreciated.


I am assuming you are in your mid to late 30s or early 40s. At this age MBA will not help you much specially part-time MBA. Also, ever thought of being an entrepreneur? No I am not talking about Amway! :) Develop some apps for mobile device and who knows where it will lead you!

Anyways, for managerial roles here are few things you can do.

Concentrate on "hands-on" manager/supervisor positions.
Get your resume written by good professional resume writer. That helps a lot in getting an interview
If you can, also get some professional help in preparing for interview. They can provide valuable help.



Good luck!

[Hello_Hello]

Thanks this is what the problem is, I am 43 right now and will be 47 or 48 by the time I will be done with the, would spending 40-50K in a part time MBA program help me at all ? In your opinion it will not..I am assuming you are in your mid to late 30s or early 40s. At this age MBA will not help you much specially part-time MBA. Also, ever thought of being an entrepreneur? No I am not talking about Amway! :) Develop some apps for mobile device and who knows where it will lead you!

Anyways, for managerial roles here are few things you can do.

Concentrate on "hands-on" manager/supervisor positions.
Get your resume written by good professional resume writer. That helps a lot in getting an interview
If you can, also get some professional help in preparing for interview. They can provide valuable help.



Good luck!

[Hello_Hello]

Can we brainstorm on some business ideas here ? I'm blank..

[PHANI_TAVVALA]

Thanks this is what the problem is, I am 43 right now and will be 47 or 48 by the time I will be done with the, would spending 40-50K in a part time MBA program help me at all ? In your opinion it will not..

Unless you are for a complete career change, sinking 50 grand to be promoted in the same line of work is not worth it. You are better off getting M.B.A from third tier school and take your chances if you think M.B.A improves your promotability. This will only cost you $10-15k.

If you go to school full-time, sinking $80k-100k, from a top-rated school and are willing to do a complete career do-over then it might be worth it at your age.

[smuggymba]

Can we brainstorm on some business ideas here ? I'm blank..

Join a small company and manage a team of 4-5 developers. In 1-2 years, apply in offshore comps like TCS, Infy and join as PM. Work there for another 1-2 years. Then join a US based company as a PM.

MBA is useless unless it's from top 10 if you need to move up fast and straight out of college.

[sorcerer666]

My thoughts Exactly!! But before that, OP isn't really clear as to what he wants to do.

Does he want to stay in the technical field or try something completely different. MBA opens up a lot more opportunities, consulting in his industry, finance, HR, etc.

What OP really needs to do is, go attend the information sessions in the schools, talk to the aspirants and see what their goals are and also what the schools have to offer in terms of development in any particular fields he might be interested in.

Join a small company and manage a team of 4-5 developers. In 1-2 years, apply in offshore comps like TCS, Infy and join as PM. Work there for another 1-2 years. Then join a US based company as a PM.

MBA is useless unless it's from top 10 if you need to move up fast and straight out of college.

[pappu]

A lot also depends on your PD and Category. If you are close to approval, do you want to drop everything and go back to school? What is your PD?

Secondly, since you are over 40 have you tested the market in your field how you will do after Green Card. Being in the same position for 10 years is a career killer. People change jobs every 2-3 years and take lot of promotions in 10 year period for some industries. Have you evaluated these factors.

A lot of people in US start their own business after working in a full time job for some years. After 40, it is a good time in my opinion to use one's experience and knowledge to start their own enterprise.

The long wait and stress in the greencard process does ruin innovation and new ideas Immigrants can bring and start their companies. How about we have a thread on IV where people who want to start business can look for partners with specialized skills to create something new? People can post their skillset and if someone is looking for a certain kind of expertise, they can collaborate.

[floridasun]

A lot also depends on your PD and Category. If you are close to approval, do you want to drop everything and go back to school? What is your PD?

Secondly, since you are over 40 have you tested the market in your field how you will do after Green Card. Being in the same position for 10 years is a career killer. People change jobs every 2-3 years and take lot of promotions in 10 year period for some industries. Have you evaluated these factors.

A lot of people in US start their own business after working in a full time job for some years. After 40, it is a good time in my opinion to use one's experience and knowledge to start their own enterprise.

The long wait and stress in the greencard process does ruin innovation and new ideas Immigrants can bring and start their companies. How about we have a thread on IV where people who want to start business can look for partners with specialized skills to create something new? People can post their skillset and if someone is looking for a certain kind of expertise, they can collaborate.

That will be a very useful thread and can channel our frustrations and negative energy into more constructive and realistic goals rather than unlikely and may be unrealistic goal of eg. USCIS making EB-3 dates current ;)