Is getting an MBA important to your career life?

I always appreciate higher education to pursue achieving knowledge in your fascinated aspect as it provides you with views and tools to better do your job, and then in this way, you have more opportunities for better career life. It's not the degree itself which can help you earn more money or be more competitive in job finding if your actual performance does nothing. Higher education here is not limited to MBA or MA or Msc, etc. Personally, I never think that MBA is the only best way of education for everything and is the only solution for networking with professionals. And I prefer a MBA with specialty to a general one.

It depends on your desires and your means. I attended Temple University in Philadelphia. Why? I could attend classes at night while I worked during the day, it was free since i worked there, and before I finished I had a family with two children to support. Temple has a strong program and in the region it is second only to University of Pennsylvania.

In regards to desire, that is both the profession you seek and where you would like to work. In other words, what do you want to do and where do you want to do it? Say it is Accounting in your local city. Often times we pass over the local school with a strong accounting program that is well respected locally for a stronger international program that may not be well known locally. You'll find yourself explaining how good the international school is to your employer and peers. The opposite is true if you seek employment from an international company that would value a degree from overseas.

In regards to means, if you were like me you would be very conservative as you had to be concerned about commitments you already made. But if single and without children then I would say you have no limits other than your own fears, and those are usually superficial. If you have no other commitments then I would recommend that you pursue whatever schools meet your desires.

At first, you have to decide what are goals of your career. As observed, many Vietnamese students go directly to Master degree after they graduate their Bachelor degree. For me, it's not a correct step.
If your goal in career path is to be in high management level. MBA certification will help you see a problem from different views but it's not compulsory. However, if your goal is just to be in senior level, you shouldn't go for MBA.

Second thing is when you should get Master degree. As can be seen, most of university where provide master degree always requires candidates who want to apply for Master course have at lease 2 years experience. Have you ever thought why they require this? The reason is after 2 years, you already gained experience and probably starting enter to manager level. That's why master degree is only for people who have experience and aim to be manager.

My advise here is you should identify your goal, think about why you want to go and when you should go. It's not "must" in order to help you become good manager!

In 1999, when I was finished university, I enjoyed the MBA exam. I cried because I did not pass. Now, after 10 year working time in some company, I have known that there are many things to learn not only MBA.

I second Chris Harvey’s idea that ‘an MBA does help you switch careers and be more flexible’. MBA is broad providing you with various choices of career. But please be careful, this may turn into a disadvantage if you are uncertain of your career path. Then think specific, think deep :)
Mine was not an MBA yet having pretty similar course structure and syllabus, so to share my experience, following are what I acquired from the programme:
*The certificate itself
*Self-confidence
*Knowledge and cultural exchange
*International Business skills
*Life experiences
*Career switch

I would rather say do an MBA than get an MBA :)
Cheers,