Product Managers Community

by NeitherHereNorThere

Stealth

a year ago

Prod Man(after MBA) vs Google

Hello Folks, I'm currently working at Google, and I'm considering quitting for an MBA (expecting admits to IIM-A/B/C) to break into Product Management. Honestly, I'm interested in it for industry exposure, the chance to climb the ladder quickly, and, let's be real, the fat paychecks. I am currently not really earning at the level I should be, even at Google. Could someone with experience share some genuine insights?

PunyDrama38

Stealth

a year ago

i am confident that people are going to advice you against mba here, and reason is obvious

NeitherHereNorThere

Stealth

a year ago

And the obvious is?

LosingmakesnoCents

Stealth

a year ago

Yes please. What is the obvious reason?

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TurningBrain

Stealth

a year ago

CSE+Senior SE+ MBA here. Do not go for MBA. Mic drop

PunyDrama38

Stealth

a year ago

what are into nowadays? planning to go back to sde? tier 1 mba? how much experience? why not mba? don't like the current role?

TurningBrain

Stealth

a year ago

No i am a senior pm at an mnc saas company in India. I am liking it. But this position pays more or less same as that of a engg manager.

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HarperStern

Investment Banking

a year ago

Assuming you get admits to any of ABC, I'd say go for it. With Google and a tech background on your resume, if you have good 10th 12th UG scores (8/8/8) or above, recruiters will lap you up for PM roles. It is going to be a costly affair, but the ROI will be great. With a bit of effort, you can expect a CTC of 40 lpa. PM recruiters generally look for at least 2 years of tech related experience (not a rule of thumb though). If you fit the criteria, go for it. Such an elite MBA will also help in getting into the leadership track at big firms.

NeitherHereNorThere

Stealth

a year ago

thanks a lot @HarperStern , yeah I do fit into the criteria that you've mentioned, hoping it works out then :')

Raptor1

Google

a year ago

What is your Level? L4 PgM is between 45-85. If you are in this range then no matter whatever MBA you do cannot get this TC in any firms, except investment firms.

NeitherHereNorThere

Stealth

a year ago

L3, sort of an SRE role, considering that?

Raptor1

Google

a year ago

Update your TC here

LostCombat49

Student

a year ago

Hi OP, what are the main questions in your mind as you're weighing up this decision? That might help folks responding to share perspectives accordingly.

NeitherHereNorThere

Stealth

a year ago

My main concern is, leaving a job at Google, leaving behind my salary for two whole years, will it all be worth it? considering I'm the sole earning member in my family :/

LostCombat49

Student

a year ago

Understood. From a pure ROI perspective here's how I would think about it: Opportunity cost: - MBA fees - 2 years salary - Stress of supporting your family (i dont want to understate this) (the Google brand stays with you, so not factoring it as a cost) Opportunity upside: - MBA brand (not condoning it, but you can't ignore the impact it has on recruiters/funding if you're starting out) - Easier shift into product management (compared to trying internally) Other upsides (not necessarily from an ROI perspective) : - You do learn to think about businesses more holistically (can be done by self effort, but requires a lot of motivation) - You do get a network of batch-mates who are all likely to be doing well for the most part. My advice to you: - think through a little more about if you want to do an MBA. From a purely financial pov, there are much easier ways to make money. - if you get the admit for iima, they have (or at least used to) an option to defer the admit by a year. Use that option to think this through more - explore potential internal mobility options into pm at Google if that's something that happens. Good luck!

Voldy97

Stealth

a year ago

Go for MBA if it is from IIM A/B/C. Prod-man is not the only way from here. You will open multiple avenues for yourself with an MBA. Go with an open mind. Don't worry about ROI. You can't place a value on tier-1 college MBA for such a juvenile calculation.

NeitherHereNorThere

Stealth

a year ago

thanks for your response @EdtechManiac

RawVolume30

Stealth

a year ago

you’re working at Google and can get into IIM, wtf are you doing taking advice from here? go for the IIMs how can it hurt?

NeitherHereNorThere

Stealth

a year ago

Just wondering about the ROI, and if it is worth it :)

Msd123

Stealth

a year ago

Majority of PMs don't have fatter pay checks compared to their Engg Counterparts. I would suggest to stay in Google, connect with a few Principal PMs, leaders and make a switch internally. In a BSchool, things can go haywire at times.

Eren

Student

a year ago

FYI You can break into Product Manager without an MBA too

Upstarts

Startup

a year ago

What do you do at Google

NeitherHereNorThere

Stealth

a year ago

Just joined a few months ago, I'm an engineer, a bit of coding, a bit of other tech stuff

Upstarts

Startup

a year ago

If you're not a full time SDE go get that MBA. If you are an SDE then wait for some time before deciding.

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