To MBA or To Not MBA? The woes of contemplating grad school..

As a post-grad, I’ve been considering my options of graduate schools. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in visual communications with a graphic design specialty and a minor in art history & psychology.  After much pondering…I have come to the conclusion that at this point I have 3 options.

1 ~ Go to grad school for a MFA in Graphic Design

2 ~ Go to grad school for my MBA

3 ~ Run my own business (Yep I have one..) or move to Jamaica (my brother’s suggestion.)

I decided to ponder these each a bit more.

Going to grad school to get an MFA is going to cost me anywhere from $36,000 – $80,000 and two years of extremely hard work. I’m not one to shy away from work but being even further in debt is something I’m definitely not too keen on. After-which, I could teach at the collegiate level (I’ve always wanted to be a professor). Work at an ad agency. Run my own design firm (If I wanted too). Or pursue studio art (my dream de la dream!) However, the closest schools to me are VA, TN, NC, FL or SCAD which would cost me an arm and a leg that I do not have : ( I am seriously considering Corcoran University and the University of Gloucestershire :) Whether I go or stay isn’t a big deal. I’ve never really had roots so this nomadic girl tends to like to move a lot!

On to the next option…Going to grad school to get my MBA..my mom keeps asking me what in the world I would do with an MBA and how it will benefit me. Good question mom! I decided to figure that out.

By pushing myself further into the business side of marketing, I will gain the skills I need to move up the corporate ladder into more of a managerial roll. The MBA degree would give me the skills I would need to become the Creative Director, Account Executive, Account Manager or Director of Marketing. The master’s degree program will give me the theoretical and analytical resources to work as a professional in the industry.

Third option: Run my business full-time. Which would be awesome! I would have the time to push and develop products that I love. Create new products and make stuff. However, to keep up with the business and products would be a life consuming full-time endeavor and I worry that I will burn out or go hungry.

So what do you think? Are you pro MBA? Con MFA? Pro small business owner? Give me some feedback :)

XoXo~ Lemon