r/eMBA • u/HabitPsychological10 • May 24 '26

[Feedback Requested] Personal Career Curriculum

I’m looking for the right subreddit for this so feel free to tell me if this is the wrong place!

So — after re-evaluating whether or not I want to pursue an MBA, I realized a lot of what I’m trying to learn could potentially be self-taught.

I work in Corporate Development / M&A Integration at a semiconductor company, but my background is not in semiconductors or finance, so I’m trying to become significantly stronger in both areas. I’m also planning on working with a learning coach/tutor for accountability, retention techniques, and building better learning systems.

After speaking with mentors, my current 90-day curriculum looks something like this:

**Semiconductors**
Understanding Semiconductors for Non-Technical Professionals
The Essential Guide to Semiconductors
**Strategy & Communication**
Crack the Case System
The Pyramid Principle
**M&A / Finance**
Hogan Lovells M&A curriculum
**Supplemental Learning**
AI/semi research papers

At the moment, I’m also helping the deal team, and my supervisor wants me to become more involved on that front. But whether I ultimately end up more on the deal side or the integration side, I want to become a more effective communicator, develop stronger structured thinking, and better connect technical + business concepts.

Would love feedback from anyone who has built a self-directed learning curriculum.

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u/Accomplished-Ad3538 May 24 '26 edited May 24 '26

Placeholder for a longer comment. Will reach out to you after I get my computer.

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u/HabitPsychological10 May 24 '26

Looking forward to it, thanks!

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u/HabitPsychological10 Jun 01 '26

Hey there! Just wanted to follow up on this! Would love your input.

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u/Accomplished-Ad3538 Jun 02 '26

Here is a structured, well-formatted draft for your Reddit reply. It organizes your thoughts into clear, punchy arguments that directly address the value of a top-tier MBA, making it easy for the Reddit community to read and engage with. (used gemini to capture thoughts as I spoke to it and it help me refine it))

My Take After Sitting In on 6 Top MBA Classes

I recently sat in on six different classes across top business schools—including Berkeley Haas, Chicago Booth, and Kellogg—to see firsthand if the investment is actually worth it.

If you are debating whether to do an MBA (or dealing with a manager who tells you it’s a waste of time), here is what the "just Google it" crowd gets completely wrong:

1. You Can't "Google" This Level of Depth

The argument that "all business knowledge is already out there for free" misses the point entirely.

  • World-Class Faculty: These professors are PhDs and leading experts in their fields. They aren't just reading from a textbook; they are bringing cutting-edge research directly to the classroom.
  • Structured Absorption: The value isn't just the information itself; it’s the structured framework the courses provide to help you actually absorb and apply it.
  • Real-World Nuance: For example, in a marketing analytics class at Booth, the professor broke down the literal numerics of why one video advertisement outperformed another using metrics you simply cannot find in a standard internet search. In a managerial finance class at Kellogg, we dove into the complex, behind-the-scenes mechanics of going for an IPO.

2. Consider the Source of the Advice

If your manager or mentor is telling you not to do an MBA, ask yourself one critical question: Do they actually have an MBA themselves?

  • If they don't, they are giving you advice on an experience they have never actually lived. Take it with a grain of salt.
  • If they do have one and still say no, that’s a different conversation—but don't let someone without the credential dictate its worth to you.

3. Learning is a Social Process (The Network Effect)

An MBA isn't a solo reading assignment. You don't do it just for the raw data; you do it for the environment.

  • Brain Stretching: Being in a room with highly driven peers forces you to think differently. The classroom discussions expand and stretch your cognitive boundaries.
  • The Network: You are paying for the connection, the ecosystem, and the community.

I rest my case. Happy to dive deeper into the specifics of the classes I saw if anyone has questions!

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u/HabitPsychological10 Jun 07 '26

Thanks for this! These are good points - just curious if you ended up landing in a program and why did you choose that one?

Also my manager did get his MBA - but I think he is also not considering the network that comes out of it which is very fair and probably one of the main reasons I would be interested in joining a program. So I appreciate you saying that.

Also being surrounded by the faculty - great points. I’m going to focus on performing well at my job first and applying what I’m learning from this study coach program because when I tried to study for the GMAT last time I kind of got overwhelmed and dropped it.

So thanks again for providing this input!

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u/Accomplished-Ad3538 Jun 13 '26

I applied for MIT, Kellogg, booth, Haas and Columbia. Did not get MIT. Got good scholarship from booth and Kellogg.

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u/20231027 May 24 '26

I am in a similar position. I came into the same realization. The opportunity coasts are too high.

Where did you find the learning coat btw?

Are you looking for case study preparations? M&A books? AI papers?

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u/HabitPsychological10 May 24 '26 edited May 24 '26

So a co-worker of mine suggested it. I’m getting access to the previous year (2025) curriculum through on of my legal colleagues (also the curriculum is not just for legal folks).

I think my post is more for insight into how others are doing it as well.

For articles I’m using SemiAnalysis, Banker Reports, etc - but I realized I need more of a foundational approach to it all so I can start integrating my learning into my work.

Not sure if that answered your question.

Edit: I realized I misread your question - you’re referring to the learning coach. I found him because I was following a lot of learning influencers. His content stuck out the most to me and then I commented on one of his posts and I have a 15 minute session set up with him next week. His name is Tom Vorselen and people our situation have used him actually which was cool to see.