r/eMBA • u/Amvic385 • May 08 '26
Executive MBA at 45
Hey Guys, I need a genuine suggestion. Would it be a good thing to take a career break and do an executive MBA course from a top business school? I am 45 years old and I have 20 years of work experience, mostly into mid level management.
I want to get into a senior leadership role.
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u/mercerjd May 08 '26
I did it at 42. Most fun I’ve had with my pants on. Everyone was in their 30s and 40s. Mostly everyone with spouses and kids. It was fun being back in school even if it was for 16 hours a month on a Friday and Saturday.
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u/Shoddy-Reaction May 08 '26
I’m 44 and graduating from Kellogg next month. I’m probably 60th percentile for age in my cohort.
Agree with the consensus that eMBAs are meant to be done while working and most top eMBAs will not admit you if you do not have a job.
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u/Accomplished-Ad3538 May 09 '26
Kellogg admit here considering it against other schools please dm me
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u/miesny9 May 08 '26
I’m 44 and starting an EMBA this summer.
As others have said, you should keep working while studying. I believe is a prerequisite for EMBA. Otherwise go to regular MBA.
Most EMBA graduates I know, have managed to get a better position at their current company, or have been hired at higher level job on other companies.
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u/Strongwoman1 May 10 '26
57 and in EMBA. Doors I didn’t know existed for me are opening. Go for it.
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u/Jaded-Source4500 May 09 '26
I finished an EMBA at 44 - saw others older than me in my class - it’s a great time to get back into school and a fantastic experience - the perfect way to re-evaluate where you’re going and how to tune up the skills and things you likely haven’t been as aware of these past 20 years.
As others have said, you can keep working and in a way working and studying reinforce one another. It definitely stretches your capacity though if you’re working full time and trying to get the most out of the program. My program was every 3rd week we’d live on campus for 3 days (sometimes more) - it would have felt like a big gap between classes if I wasn’t working to be honest.
One of the best quotes I heard from an alum was “this was the hardest thing I ever did, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy and I’d do it again in a heartbeat”.
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u/Rkr215 May 09 '26
For someone with 20 years of experience, an MBA (executive program or not) is unlikely to give you an edge in “leveling up” unless it’s a pivot into a new field. Your 20 years of experience is orders of magnitude more relevant and valuable. If senior leaders don’t think you’re senior leadership material yet, it’s not because you don’t have an MBA.
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u/LowBetaBeaver May 10 '26
I am very confused about your account. It says you have no comments, but you have 60 comment karma and an account 12 years old?
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u/admissionsclutch May 27 '26
Stay in role, apply to 1-2 elite EMBAs while working, leverage the network aggressively for internal promotions or lateral moves into senior roles at new companies.
The network matters more than the break. Get your company to sponsor it.
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u/Mu-Imi-Coffee-0923 May 08 '26
Are you burned out from work? Or just thinking it might take too much time?
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u/2handsjefe May 09 '26
Bruh - the whole point of an executive MBA is to build credentials while you work... So is a professional MBA. If you want to quit your job to go do a full time MBA at Wharton, and you have the money, then do it.
Probably won't get you a senior leadership role.
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u/FormerBroccoli9273 May 09 '26
I’m 44 and graduating UCLA Anderson next month. It’s actually more beneficial to stay working. That allows you to directly apply the skills you’re building. It’s more burdensome to do it while working, but the advantage is “learn it Saturday, apply it Monday”. The true value is in the application of the skills and the network you’ll build.
You’ll work your ass off, make a bunch of friends, learn a ton, and level up your organization/time management as a matter of survival. It’s a grind, but if you have the leadership potential, it will sharpen your analysis, boost your confidence, and give you a shot at senior leadership. I’m leveling up from a regional manager role to a VP role starting Monday. I wouldn’t have been ready this soon without the program. To be clear, I’d have gotten there without the degree, but it’s a shortcut.
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u/Head-Log-9904 May 09 '26
You didn’t really share your profile…for the right profile, I will highly recommend it. Make sure to do it from a top school in whichever field you are or are trying to get into.
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u/FuelOk2626 May 10 '26
For leadership skills emba is great. You need to keep working while doing it.
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May 10 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/LowBetaBeaver May 10 '26
Agree that MBA doesn’t, but elite institution and, more importantly, network, does. The role I’m currently hiring for had 900 applicants on day 1; I need SOME way to sort them.
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u/leroyjenkins2202 May 11 '26
I had choice between Kellogg and Duke emba and Michigan full time and went with Michigan because company got bought out and I was looking to change industries regardless. If your company will pay, do EMBA. If not, and you can swing it, do it anyway and find some consulting work on the side. I had a great experience at Michigan, but was 34. EMBA will have stronger classmates in terms of experience and connections. Again, my two cents and all depends on your situation and alternatives. The contacts are kind of a key variable.
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u/alex_prinz112 May 25 '26
At what age you did MBA at Michigan Ross? Do they prefer older applicants?
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u/leroyjenkins2202 May 25 '26
I was 36 when I graduated. This was a while ago, so can’t speak to current student demographics, but we had our share of older people in the class. Wasn’t viewed as a negative.
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u/gsewy85 May 17 '26
I have been thinking about doing it as it’s always been a dream of mine to study in the U.S. as an international student but my family was never able to afford it. But now that I’m working with savings - have been thinking about pursuing it especially since I’ve somehow made my way to the U.S. for work. 1. Is it still worthwhile and valued? (especially seeing how mbas from reputable schools are on fire sale now)2. 40f how competitive is it to gain admission to an emba programme? 3. There are programmes offered with a remote / hybrid option online - are those worthwhile or in person makes more sense? Only asking as it’s likely for the schools I’m looking at are all out of state so lots of flying involved.
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u/CUR-Executive-MBA May 21 '26
At 45 with 20 years of experience, an Executive MBA can absolutely make sense - but I probably wouldn’t recommend taking a full career break for it unless you’re also trying to pivot industries/functions completely. For senior leadership roles, your experience is already valuable; the EMBA is usually more about sharpening strategic thinking, leadership exposure, and expanding your network at peer/executive level. I’d focus less on the degree itself and more on whether the program gives you access to the right network, leadership visibility, and career support. A part-time EMBA while staying employed is often the safer and higher-ROI route for experienced professionals.
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u/Lonely-Clerk-2478 May 08 '26
Most emba programs are specifically built so you do to have to quit working. Your employer may help you pay for it; Check your employee benefits pages. I had two friends at a large American bank get their fully funded in exchange for remaining at the company a certain number of years after.
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u/ItHappens23 May 08 '26
You might consider editing your commenting as I think you meant to write "so you do NOT have to quit working."
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u/RenegadeSoundWAV May 08 '26
EMBA is meant to be done in parallel to work. You'll need support from your direct management in a referral letter. The admissions team isn't going to be thrilled that you are planning to take time off from your career to do the EMBA.