In a job market that is narrowing down like a constricting passage, people are seeking any advantage for their next job or pay hike. From relocating and switching industries to finally pursuing an MBA, any idea seems viable as long as it yields results. However, a post by an Indian founder has prompted many to reconsider their choices.
The Founder's Perspective
Nayrhit Bhattacharya, co-founder and CEO of Gushwork AI, recently shared on X (formerly Twitter) that if he could advise his 18-year-old self, he would say: 'Don't get an MBA.' Bhattacharya wrote, 'I grew up worshipping the golden ladder: Engineering → MBB → VC → top MBA → PE by 30. I got into Booth while I was at a VC and felt like I'd won.' However, during his MBA, he interacted with 2,500 ambitious entrepreneurs and realized that none of them had MBAs.
He deferred his MBA to become a founding product manager at a fast-growing AI startup. 'Very steep learning curve. And that's when the math stopped making sense. Two years of time in my prime = Two years of opportunity cost in a world where AI was about to compress a decade of learning into 18 months,' he explained. He noted that the degree merely signals intelligence to firms he no longer wished to join.
He eventually completed his MBA part-time while working at the AI startup and launched Gushwork in his final quarter. 'The MBA isn't a career. It's a permission slip for a career someone else designed for you. The most interesting people I've met never asked for permission. They just started,' he wrote. He also mentioned that he is still repaying his MBA loan, with foreign exchange and US interest rates complicating matters.
Mixed Reactions Online
The post garnered mixed responses. Some were shocked that he is still paying off his MBA loans, while others appreciated his insight. One user commented, 'This is a great way of explaining why an MBA is a bad idea with a real example. Thanks, Nayrhit.' Another added, 'Still paying off the loan for your MBA? jesus.' A third pointed out, 'The golden ladder only looks gilded when they've already brainwashed you.'
The Shifting Value of an MBA
Once one of the most esteemed degrees globally, the MBA's value has diminished with the rise of AI. Companies now prioritize AI-related degrees or experience, leaving traditional MBAs less competitive. The founder's story highlights the growing sentiment that hands-on experience and entrepreneurial initiative may outweigh formal business education in the modern economy.
