He worked as a software developer for about 10 years and then went to one of the top business schools in France to get his MBA (he's French Vietnamese). He's now a project manager for HP in Singapore and moving up the corporate ladder. The school he went to is equivalent to the Ivy League school here so I agree with the previous poster that you need to get your MBA from a top business school.

This may be an odd place to ask a professional question, but I figure there are plenty of people on this board that are successful. 

I’m considering going back to school to get a MBA.  I feel professionally I’ve been stagnant the last couple years.  I have mostly software engineering background, but I’ve always been interested in the business side of things.  Ultimately, I’d like to do combine either to manage or be part of a .com/mobile business startup.

Any advice?  Is the market in need of MBA’s?  Is the software engineering + MBA education/background too eccentric?  Are there opportunities for that?

I’m using an alias, because frankly I don’t like anything personal attached to my real username.  Obviously, this isn't my sole avenue for advice, I was just interesting in seeing some answers.

in large part on where you get it.  An MBA from Harvard, Stanford, Wharton or other of what are generally considered the top 20-30 most reputable grad biz schools (in the DC region these are Darden, Georgetown, UMD Smith) clearly will help just because of the reputation of the school.  An MBA from any of the next ranking 50 or so schools (e.g. GMU, though they are fast rising in the rankings, and JHU which has recently started a program) will likely enhance your business skills and help you in the business world, but in terms of immediate out of school salary, may not have much impact, and in the long term any increased comp will come largely based on your performance - so if you lack a biz background and this helps educate you to fill that type job role, then it may help - but for these schools, consider a public university where the tuition is more reasonable as the cost of a private school MBA may outweigh the benefit.  An MBA from a school ranked below the top 100, IMHO, only helps if you work for the government or some like organization that gives a bump in comp simply based upon having an "MBA."

I agree with the poster.  A professional (as distinct from an academic) graduate degree in any field helps to build skills, but does not carry any particular professional cachet unless from one of the big names (not that the skills you acquire at these schools will be any better).  So the value to you of the degree is to refocus your skills, and most reputable programs (and there are a number of local ones) can meet your needs.  Don't spend more than you need to spend to get what you're going to end up getting.

As a ex HR professional, you may get thousands of applications with a BA so MBA thins the herd.  Most senior managers think like Lanier but those resumes never reach his desk in the large cotp

I am in the process of hiring someone for my company now. The field is marketing. I entirely discount an MBA from a local institution and don't give someone a second look based on that. By itself, it means nothing whatsoever. Because the area I am hiring for is technical, I do look to see if the applicant has a grasp of the technical skills required. This may or may not be connected to an MBA. But coursework from a local school means nothing. I need some other proof beyond coursework that they have technical skills. I'd be more inclined to explore a resume from someone with an MBA from a nationally-ranked business school.

I know the job market stinks but I'd still wonder if you could make the career transition without the degree. I am amazed by how many unfocussed, passive, inflated cover letters and resumes I see. I think someone can still stand out in the job market by having a strong sense of direction and explaining clearly and forcefully what they seek. It might be worth trying that and doing informational interviews before investing in the MBA. You'll need that kind of focus whether you get the degree or not.

developers and projects are sorely needed, but they tend to be the last one hired. IMO, managers tend to think a bunch of independent software developers sitting around will produce something useful with no direction or requirements. Kind of like the concept of a million monkeys in a million years with typewriters coming up with "War and Peace". An apt comparison I think.

Go figure.

In addition to the other helpful suggestions here, I would add that you look especially for programs that have special tracks for technology management. I am familiar with Wharton's program, for example.

Its not the schooling but the person that makes the difference in business.  I've seen plenty of MBA's I wouldn't trust with my kids lemonade stand.  If you are outgoing, good at sales, not afraid to go out and make something out of nothing then it might be worth a shot.  If you are meek, afraid of people or in general are not listened by others then an MBA will not change anything.  Have you done anything growing up to show you have an entrepreneurial spirit?  Do you have proven leadership experience?  Actually this might be an appropriate forum since so many of these women literally put their asses on the line by selling their time with charm and elegance.

An absolutely worthless degree, and I should know.  I would much rather hire someone with real life experience managing people, than some idiot from the Ivy League who doesn't know crap about the real world, but all kinds of academic theory shit.  Get an IT cert instead...

The personality issue is often overlooked.  Credentials are important but if one does not have the personality to match their field they will not fulfill their career goals.  There is something to be said for making a true assessment of who you are so that you can make the right career choice.

' MBA from a school ranked below the top 100, IMHO, only helps if you work for the government or some like organization that gives a bump in comp simply based upon having an "MBA."'   I worked for the Fed Govt for over 35 years; I got a Master's (MS in Info Sys Tech) when I was young to stay competitive with the other young upward movers, and to learn enough about IT that the wire-heads couldn't BS me.  The Federal Government does not give any sort of 'bump-up' if you get a degree (of any kind) and stay in the same job.  The only place it gives you an advantage is in seeking promotion, where the ranking system (at least it used to) gave extra points for a 'related' advanced degree.  The problem was with the 'related' word; many rating panels & selecting officials were so interested in avoiding grievances (which can greatly delay the hiring process, which is already too long) that your MBA might be just as relevant as an MA in Art History.  But if you stay in the same job, you can go get a PhD in the exact field you're working in, with no impact on paycheck (some special scientific job series (e. g. nuclear physicist, astrophysicist) may have exceptions to that).  And some jobs require an advanced degree, like lawyers.

Yes, an MBA can be used to thin the herd of resumes, but if that is all your HR people are doing you need to fire your HR dept ASAP, lol...and I spent my first nine years post MBA in HR.

I think the most telling statement in your post is this "Ultimately, I’d like to do combine either to manage or be part of a .com/mobile business startup. "

These people rarely hire senior positions from a recruiting firm that is simple grinding away at buzzwords (MBA, J2EE, blah, blah, blah) and are hiring from their personal networks (at least the key positions).  Start-ups have very few managers, not the overhead a start-up wants or needs. You need to be a player/coach and have DONE something that shows initiative and smarts.  If you don't know what to do, that likely means you're not cut out for the job.

Degree's and previous positions become more important when you're part of the executive team and need to raise money, but they are much more interested in what you have accomplished professionally.

Big companies, Oracle, HP, IBM are much more impressed with advanced degree's than the small start ups.

Just my $.02