Is a Business degree (MBA) essential to work in Corporate Business if I have a Law Degree?

Question:

Let me be specific: I am a law student (business law) with an undergraduate double major in Sociology-Organizational Studies and Psychology (with a double minor in History and English). Since I would like to keep the option open to becoming a business man at later age, I was thinking of applying for a dual degree (JD/MBA). I hear, however, that once you have a background in business law, the MBA becomes unnecessary, for you already have the critical thinking skills and can pick up the skills on the job. The marketability of having 2 degrees is unimportant for me if I can save myself the time and money of going to school for an extra year.

Answer:
It depends on the portfolio of your job.

1. If you are taking up a job in corporate which is only associated with law, then all you need to know is company laws. Your Law degree must be fine in that case.

2. If you are going for an executive post, or if you feel like switching over to management executive post later, then you would be required to have an MBA.

3. If you are going to start your own business, you need to be even a grduate, leave alone having an MBA!

But yes, having an MBA is an added qualification for 1 & 3 above, and essential for 2.

Given your splendid varying academic background, I would suggest you to do MBA. You could have an edge over managers who know only management, and lawyers who know only law.

No, I don't think it's necessary. I've heard of a VP who's credetials mainly consist of a nursing degree.

You don't need an MBA. If you want to get a more rounded business qualification do the CPA.

If your are a lawyer, a degree in accounting is good

Let me introduce you to the truth.

What you need to succeed in the corporate world are these 4 essential skills:

1. Creativity and Economic Value Creation
2. Team building.
3. Superb communication skills.
4. Personal Integrity

No amount of education in the world can teach you the above things. You must make a conscious effort to develop these every second of every day. God is on your side. Your formal education is your enemy.

my undergrad was in business. at one point i was drooling to get a JD/MBA. but my feelings were hurt when my school would not admit me into the MBA program b/c at the time they required work experience (i went to law school straight out of college). but now, i could give a flying fig! back then, i thought i wanted to concentrate on corporate law...then i discovered how much of a bore it was (to me).

i do want to go back to school one day, but now i want my PhD in Public Administration (i'm a government lawyer). i am not sure about you, but i am VERY CONFIDENT that i will not be practicing law for more than 7-10 years. but at this point, a MBA will not be doing much for me. it's really a marketability tool. so if you do not care about that, i would not worry about it.

but i will note...this all may be easier for me to say b/c i already have a business degree, and focused my undergrad on business (interships and the like). so if you feel you "may" need some credibility in business training, then go ahead. one year is nothing in the long run. and what's the rush to work? PUH-LEASE. i'm looking for somebody to pay for my PhD so i can go BACK to school :)

Is a Business degree (MBA) essential to work in Corporate Business if I have a Law Degree?

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