Is getting an MBA important to your career life?

My answer to your question is very simple, please read this quote from Alan Lafley.
"I really believe knowledge is power, and translating knowledge into action in the marketplace is one of the things that distinguishes leadership."- Alen Lafley, CEO of P&G
Getting MBA is for your knowledge but applying your knowledge to your job sucessfully that makes you different from others.

.20 năm về trước người ta quan tâm đến bằng đại học vì không phải ai cũng có điều kiện đi học .hiện nay thì rất khác vì đa số ai cũng có bằng đại học, nên nhà tuyển dụng không biết nên chọn ai, nên tất nhiên họ sẽ tìm đến những ai có thêm được tấm bằng MBA, vì ít nhất nó chứng minh cho nhà tuyển dụng thấy là: "àh, ít ra thì tui siêng năng hơn mấy người kia!"

.nhưng quan trọng hơn hết là kinh nghiệm .kiến thức chỉ cho chúng ta một khởi đầu ít sai lầm hơn nhưng chính kinh nghiệm mới dẫn ta đến thành công

.chúc chị thành công trong sự nghiệp

I have gained the MBA degree recently , personally I think I it do not allow me more opportunities to have a good job or higher salary career . However , I believe that I have broaden view on corporate business processing , think outside of the box and it also help me to make better decision in my daily work . As a result , I add significant values to my work and I am proud of it

I can see that you guys are really interested in the reasons for getting an MBA. Here are some other opinions that you may find interesting

In a recent survey by the Association of MBAs, 1300 members of the association were asked why they took an MBA.
Most gave several reasons. In order of priority these were:
1. To obtain a business qualification — 82%
2. To improve job opportunities — 79%
3. For intellectual stimulation — 70%
4. To increase salary — 67%
5. To obtain general skills — 64%
6. To change career direction — 61%
7. To increase self confidence — 52%
An MBA course will enhance your skills by developing your ability to work as an effective team member and to lead others.
An MBA will also develop your self-confidence, communication and negotiation skills.
And as well as education and career enhancement benefits, an MBA offers worldwide networking opportunities.

It's very interesting topic. I am surprised since came to Vietnam with the situation that people too highly admire academic degree.
It was the same in Japan during 1980's, many people rushed to obtain MBA for the future carrier. But nowadays, people are understanding the difference between academic career and business career. As the fact, many universities invite business practitioners who don't have such degree to give the lectures and even invite them as rector, even though universities have plenty of MAs and Doctors.
That means academic degree will not ensure the ability of conducting practical business (If so, the universities mush be the most excellent business organization among the commercial companies).
MBA stands for Master of business administration. Because there wasn't suitable degree for the persons who didn't have specific technical skills, then MBA was created for general administrator. In this sense, MBA has no difference with other MAs.
Moreover, since around 5years ago, MBA curricular is being criticized by it's old fashioned method and case studies. I myself surprised that the Vietnamese person who graduated MBA recently, proudly explained me about the case study of Southwest airline (it was popular article 10years ago!).

I don't intend to say that the MBA is meaningless. It is still useful for the persons who have academic interests in business administration.
However, it is hard to say that MBA graduates are better than practitioner who spent the same number of years in the real field.
People can differentiate yourself by the way of spending time regardless of academic degree. I hope young people in Vietnam to try to obtain true knowledge and experience which can generate tangible value to the business and society.
(MBA certificate is only the paper which can not make any value. The matter is the obtained knowledge and experience)