We asked recent HBS alumni to reflect on their time at—and after—HBS to answer the question “Is the MBA worth it?” Here are their thoughts on the business school experience, the value of an MBA degree, and how to best prepare for HBS. (Part 1 of this series is available here.)
Dilan Gomih (MBA 2019) is the Senior Director of Digital Talent/Strategy and Instructor at Barry’s
If you were to describe your HBS experience in 3 words what would they be?
Epic, amazing, and transformational.
Was an HBS MBA worth it?
10000% worth it. As I reflect back on navigating my path from finance to fitness, I couldn't have arrived where I am without HBS. From a personal standpoint, I've had the confidence to take risks and be the leader in the room because HBS prepared me to be. From students to faculty, I met some of the people who I am the closest to now and I could not imagine my life without them. From a professional standpoint, the HBS MBA opens doors that I never knew existed—but they opened because the HBS name speaks for itself.
What advice do you have for prospective HBS students?
APPLY! I've had way too many people who count themselves out before giving it a shot.
Scott Robertson (MBA 2019) is the Director of Government Commercialization at Solugen
If you were to describe your HBS experience in 3 words what would they be?
Revealing, useful, and fun.
Was an HBS MBA worth it?
The standard argument against getting an MBA is that you can progress in your field without one by spending those two years getting more experience. The problem is that most people who hear that argument have only experienced a tiny fraction of the universe of career possibilities. I believe that the key to a happy life (or a successful business) is constant reevaluation of your core principles—along with having the strength to update those principles when required—and an HBS MBA is the ultimate chance to do just that.
Do you think you could have achieved your short-term goals without an MBA?
Not a chance. The HBS network and the credibility of the degree opened doors that I would never have even thought to knock on. I have ended up working in some of the most exciting, cutting-edge life sciences companies in the world, and I never would have even considered the industry before coming to HBS.
Mollie Breen (MBA 2020) is the Founder & CEO of Perygee
Was an HBS MBA worth it?
110%! From the RC (first year) curriculum, to getting to go deeper into specific areas of focus in the EC (second year), the classes at HBS helped prepare me for the day-to-day of running a startup. It’s incredibly important to have a foundation of, say, the marketing 4 P's or the difference between cash and accrual accounting. I really don't know what I would have done without the MBA. And I've only touched on the classes, I haven't even gotten to the funding resources, the people, etc. that made it so worthwhile!
Do you think you could have achieved your short-term goals without an MBA?
I think I could have but I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish them as quickly or as effectively. I know I had a burning desire to start a company and would have done so with or without HBS, but I don't think I would have been able to gain the customers, or meet the investors, or recruit the right talent, or build as effective of an internal and external strategy without HBS.
Adam Friedman (MBA 2020) is a Vice President at Linden Capital Partners
If you were to describe your HBS experience in 3 words what would they be?
Learning new perspectives.
Was an HBS MBA worth it?
Yes—I met so many interesting and accomplished people from varied backgrounds that I never would have otherwise met. The networks I built with these people are an invaluable resource as well as a source of great friends!
What advice do you have for prospective HBS students?
There’s no one archetype of the “HBS Student.” As long as you have a drive to learn new things and have an interest in building relationships with those around you, you can thrive at HBS.
Page Wagley (MBA 2016) is the Associate Director of Investments at Bowdoin College
If you were to describe your HBS experience in 3 words what would they be?
Dynamic, thought-provoking, and introspective.
Do you think you could have achieved your short-term goals without an MBA?
No. I wasn’t sure if I was in the right career field and wanted to explore. Without HBS, that career exploration would have been hard to do. HBS offers resources and a soft landing if you make a misstep.
What advice do you have for prospective HBS students?
Think about HBS as a crash course in how to be a decent person and a decent manager.