Am a stay at home mum/ student and a mother of 3 ( 5yrs, 2, & 6months old) . Arrived Calgary in March 2009. Am currently with uni of leicester ( online MBA program) and will be graduating early next yr.

1. Anyone out there who is currently in an MBA program?
2. Any tips on job prospects for MBA graduates.


Considering that my baby will be about 1 yr + when i complete my program, getting a job will mean having to use daycare etc. am considering going for a PHD .

3. Any PHD students out there?

Kindly share your experiences and offer advice of any nature.

Nope, thick as two short planks me but massive respect for what you're doing and with 3 young kids, talk about employable, if you can do all that - the worlds your oyster...keep going Calgarygirl

Mardyarse, thanks for the encouragement, I need lots of it. Sometimes I feel am at a disadvantage acquiring all the degrees but no proper work experience.

I think that you probably are.

Are you studying for the intellectual challenge, or because the job you'd like needs a PHD as an entry requirement? Without any experience I'm not sure you're going to be a great deal better off.

If you specialized in accounting you might be alright, otherwise without experience or connections you might not get the position you want.

This pretty much fits with what I have found in Ottawa. An MBA is a 'nice to have' at best and I have yet to see a job description that lists it as a requirement. I've plenty of experience but not the kind that fits well with the job market in Ottawa so, having taken some advice from contacts I have made, I decided to pursue an accounting designation (CMA).

I don't know the Calgary market but I would expect that an MBA/accounting combination would carry more weight than MBA/PhD. If it's like here, just getting started on an accounting designation should open some doors.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do. If you want some info about the CMA program just let me know.

Thanks guys for your replies. The decision to keep studying is not out of choice but that seem to be the best for now considering that if I get a job I have to sort out child care for 2 kids, so I felt why not keep studying ( online). Now after the MBA I will still not be able to go back to work so my mind is now thinking towards a PHD.

Thanks Deva, I will like more info on the CMA program, I have actually given it a thought.

Ya Rich, I have put that into consideration and my consolation is I get to stay home with my kids while they grow up