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[Jennifer]

Hi, I'd appreciate some advice. I have given up pursuing music therapy, somewhat reluctantly, because I had to face the fact I can't stand the psychological jargon and the detailed clinical aspects of the work.  

I have a broad range of interests, mainly in the visual arts and music, in addition to a natural knack with planning, organization, and other business skills. Am I correct in thinking the M.B.A. will serve me well in the nonprofit sector? Since I want to stay at my current school (I currently have an assistantship doing graphic design for the music department programs), my other option would be to design my own program, which would include business and  music courses, which would take me less time than the M.B.A. Only thing is, would the "special studies" degree be as valuable as the M.B.A? And finally, do I even need a master's degree? (My general feeling is I do, since I have very little knowledge of budget planning, accounting, etc.) My undergraduate degree was in liberal arts with an emphasis in psychology and English.

I see myself working in nonprofit for causes I feel strongly in, such as working with youth, with arts organizations, event planning, health issues, assisting in and developing human-service programs, etc. From what I've been researching it appears that higher degrees (such as in business) would help me. I do know I wouldn't want to be stuck just number- crunching all day. Lots of variety needed.

I'm also concerned about being versatile and marketable in an unsteady job market.

I'd appreciate any guidance.

[Jennifer Taylor]

I was the second graduate of an innovative graduate program at Ohio State University.

I have found that the skills, experiences, and contacts that I made at Ohio State have been invaluable. The curriculum flexes to meet your needs and interests, allowing you to explore multiple areas of interest. Many of my peers have secured fulfilling leadership positions in the arts, i.e. The Urban Institute, Maine Commission on the Arts, Idaho Arts Commission, The Theatre In The Park in Johnson County, Kan., Wexner Center for the Arts, and public radio. I'm an independent nonprofit consultant in Corpus Christi, Tex.

I cannot say enough good things about the the Arts Policy and Administration program at Ohio State University. It's
one of the first in the country dedicated to serious research and advanced training in arts policy and administration. Based at a major research university, it offers both a Masters degree and a Ph.D. specialization. Intrinsically interdisciplinary, APA-OSU draws upon the talents of the leading arts education department in the nation, a well-respected School of Public Policy and Management, and innovative center for computer                               technology and the arts, leading studio arts departments, the recently established John Glenn Institute of Public Policy, and the Center for Survey Research. The program curriculum clusters in three primary subject areas: 1)
public policy and the arts and culture, 2) arts management, and 3) arts education policy and program management.
                                                                               The APA program strives to contribute to the emerging field of cultural-policy studies through a three-part strategy of training, research, and collaborations. Although only a few years old, the APA-OSU program has already forged productive collaborative relations with professional and public                         arts organizations, notably Americans for the Arts and the Ohio Arts Council.
                                                                               Biennially, the APA program convenes, in collaboration with the Ohio Arts Council, the Barnett Symposium on the Arts and Public Policy, which was endowed by Lawrence and Isabel Barnett to facilitate focused inquiry and analytical discussion of public and nonprofit sector policies and practices concerning the arts, arts education, and cultural policy. The program is also looking to pursue research interests in the broad field of cultural policy.

[Andrea]

i have recently spoken with a number of professionals in the nonprofit field and have found out that more and more nonprofit organizations are turning to professionals in the business field to get the work done. A local museum hired a business professional (who works in cell phones or something like that) to be their director of development. In short, a business background is exactly what nonprofit groups need when it comes to handling, well, the business side (accounting, grants administration) of their group.

Over the last few years, according to a friend who is the executive director of the same local museum, nonprofit organizations are beginning to realize that they must in many ways run themselves like a business in their strategies of budgeting in particular. I think an M.B.A. is great and I'm personally planning on pursuing one. But with so many people pursuing M.B.A.s and so many programs available, try to get a good concentration (like accounting) that will be of help, personally or professionally. It'll make you stand out.

[C. Ruggelo]

I was closely involved with the School of Community Economic Development at Southern New Hampshire University for a long time and they offer many benefits like being able to pursue a business degree as well as a Community Economic Degree.  

Nonprofit groups, nongovernmental organizations, and government-run organizations are all hiring the alumni here like crazy. I think about 95 percent of the alumni are employed, which is a pretty high rate especially in this economy.  

Good luck in pursuing your career. There are so many people out there who are working hard and need help.

[pakura]

Melanie Holmes is an executive for a Fortune 500 employment services firm and two years ago, at age 55, she decided to go back to school and get her MBA.

Why? It’s not what you think.

“It was a personal thing. I just wanted to achieve it,” says Holmes, a vice president for Manpower Inc. “I didn’t expect anything differently in my job nor did I expect to go higher up the ladder.”
Buy Magic Jack

[freddavis]

Melanie Holmes is an executive for a Fortune 500 employment services firm and two years ago, at age 55, she decided to go back to school and get her MBA.

Why? It’s not what you think.

“It was a personal thing. I just wanted to achieve it,” says Holmes, a vice president for Manpower Inc. “I didn’t expect anything differently in my job nor did I expect to go higher up the ladder.”

Yes some people do MBA for there own personal thing and to to prove something to the community.


Fred Davis

[mtsdesignss]

HI,

I have seen a funny video regarding MBA that they can not even operate computer. And it was DHL advertisement I guess.

[jibonerkotha]

I am going to admission test for MBA. I am very happy to study on MBA.

[jamal002]

I have just finished my graduation. Now I am looking for M.B.A

[toddbotner]

There is nothing wrong with you taking an MBA. In fact I am also one of them. Just always bear in your mind that you should follow where  you passion and heart is to become successful. It's very difficult to start things and end up giving it because it is not what you really wanted to happen in your life.