Recorded April 30, 2025

Is it worth getting an MBA degree anymore? I chat again with Brian, a former MBA student of mine when I taught at NYU Stern. This was supposed to be a short video focused only on whether the MBA is worth getting anymore, but it ended up turning into another podcast episode, where we also talk about the importance of passion, and how the world may not need as many professors in the future.

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Amazon link to my book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5N6F1FV

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00:35 -- Intro, and the short answer from Brian

07:35 -- Work before getting an MBA

08:45 -- Bryan tries to defend the MBA

10:20 -- One positive of the MBA: Trying new things

12:25 -- Brian doing what "made sense" vs. what he loved

13:35 -- The challenge of getting a crypto job in 2020

15:05 -- How Brian knew what road to take

16:05 -- Bryan tries again to defend the MBA

18:05 -- Brian getting rejected was a blessing

20:05 -- Passion beats any MBA

20:55 -- MBA degrees are a filter

22:23 -- Companies care too much about resumes

25:30 -- Why passion should be THE criterion

27:25 -- Brian never looks at the clock when working

27:46 -- Passionate people will always figure out the answer

29:25 -- Does passion may matter more with emergent phenomena?

31:15 -- Lack of passion cripples organizations

36:15 -- Is expecting passion realistic?

36:35 -- Brian either loves or hates every job

41:05 -- People can make you love a job

42:35 -- Fulfilling work is about community

43:33 -- When is the MBA most valuable?

46:35 -- The jobs that suit MBAs

49:35 -- Declining interest in MBAs

51:08 -- Timing an MBA in the economic cycle

53:35 -- The AI threat to MBAs

55:55 -- NYU Stern is focused on AI

58:35 -- AI might replace white collar jobs

01:00:35 -- MBA is riskier than it used to be

01:03:20 -- How to career pivot without the MBA

01:05:06 -- A more uncertain future

01:08:30 -- The value of going to university

01:10:35 -- The bottom line

01:15:35 -- What the MBA isn't good for