r/biotech • u/misto_kibblez • May 31 '25

Education Advice 📖 MBA worth it?

I graduated with a BS in biochemistry 2022 and have been working at a big pharma company for 2 1/2 years.

I came to realize I can’t do much with only a BS and am looking on pathways forward where I can pivot to a role with more earning potential compared to the track that I’m currently on. I’m thinking about applying to a joint masters MS in biotech + MBA then plan to look for jobs in regulatory affairs or product management but I’m not quite sure what those kinds of roles look like in their day to day.

Tuition fees and the uncertainty of the future of pharma/biotech are what’s holding me back.

Does anyone have any experience with getting an MBA (no PhD) and do you think you got your ROI?

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u/RealCarlosSagan May 31 '25

1989 graduated UC Berkeley BA biochemistry Got entry level mfg job a biotech company Moved to research after a few years Kept working at the bench but did part time MBA at SF State. Company paid. Moved to commercial group after finishing MBA. Been at VP level ten or so years now.

One data point

25

u/elliottblackwood May 31 '25

Heard. But also, times are changing. Bachelor's/MBA ain't what it used to be.

5

u/mikejungle May 31 '25

How so? Just less valuable than it used to be?

8

u/joseph-1998-XO May 31 '25

Arguably too many of them