Salary Diaries sheds light on the sometimes taboo and often mysterious topic of MBAs and money, including how people pay for their advanced degree and their salary after graduation and beyond.
This time, an Executive MBA alumnnus in the pharmaceutical industry from the Class of ‘02 works their way to a position as senior director making a $176,800 salary.
Executive MBA Stats
MBA Program: Executive MBA ‘02
Current Age: 55
Undergraduate Major: Computer Science
Pre-MBA Years of Work Experience: 10
Pre-MBA Industry: Pharmacy Claims Processing
Pre-MBA Occupation: Director of Operations
Pre-MBA Salary: $52,000
Current Industry: Pharmacy Benefit Management
Current Occupation: Senior Director of Compliance Reporting and Analytics
Current Salary: $176,800
Current City: Denver, CO
Why an MBA? Why Scheller?
I felt like a graduate degree would advance my career and compensation. My company at the time sponsored one or two individuals each year. I participated in my company's sponsorship program, graduating with an Executive MBA in Management Technology.
How did you finance your MBA?
My employer fully funded my participation in the Executive MBA program. This included a three-year commitment to stay with the company.
What do you wish you knew about an MBA?
I initially took for granted the Executive MBA program’s requirement that incoming students have significant work experience. After I started the program, I realized how valuable my fellow students’ work experiences would be. I more fully appreciated the value their experiences brought to my own education.
Thoughts or advice about the ROI of an MBA:
In 2002, I graduated with an Executive Master of Science in Management of Technology. The Board of Regents had not yet approved the program for MBA status. When I graduated in the early 2000s, MBA degrees were losing some of their luster, and it was an advantage to say I had an M.S. degree over an MBA. I would always go on to explain that the program was an MBA in every important area, if not in name. The combination of having a graduate degree and attending Georgia Tech has opened many doors for me.
Download: Executive MBA Career Impact Report