For Reference, here is the program that I currently am interested in,

1.) https://www.kennesaw.edu/degrees-programs/master-degrees/business-administration.php?major=Master of Business Administration &url=https://www.kennesaw.edu/degrees-programs/master-degrees/business-administration.php

Master's of Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance (Evening) From KSU

2.) https://catalog.kennesaw.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=67&poid=8017

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I'll start this post with where I am currently in my career, how I got here, and what's prompting me to switch to a completely opposite career compared to my undergrad. First and Foremost, I am 23 years old. I've just received my Bachelor's of Interdisciplinary Studies in Environmental Science from Georgia State University in December of 2023. My undergrad GPA was a 3.65. And I have $0 in student loan debt.

I currently am an entry-level Geologist at a decently sized environmental consulting firm making a yearly salary of $53,000 before tax. Throughout high school, I thought that I wanted to study environmental science for 2 main reasons. 1.) The opportunity for field work (working outside in nature) and 2.) The opportunity for travel. However, going into my second month at this firm.. I'm studying to question this career path I chose for myself as the work-life balance as a Field Scientist (Geologist, Ecologist, Environmental Scientist, etc.) is absolutely terrible. The two reasons that initially got me into this career path as mentioned above are the exact reasons why I'm losing interest and my sense of self in this industry. 1.) Field work is too demanding both physically and time-wise. It may require working 10 hours some days and include weekends normally. 2.) Yes, this firm is great as it allows for us to conduct field work for clients in other states.. however it is normal for travel to be up to a month at a time.. and that's something that I genuinely don't want to be doing in my career compared to what I thought while in high school.

As you can tell, being a Geologist is very much a blue-collar job. It can be back breaking, take up too much of your time, but most importantly interfere with what I value the most in life.. a good work-life balance. Work weeks can average between 50-60 hours when out in the field. I don't mind the work load and responsibilities I have when in the office, but field work makes up largely 75% of my job. I actually am fairly satisfied with the salary that I'm receiving. It's not the pay that makes me want to switch industries, but rather the physical and mental drain that comes with working overtime in the field and having to not be at home all the time. I definitely do not see myself being in the field when I am in my 30s, and want to see how viable it is for me to switch careers over to more of a white-collar job if pursuing an MBA with a Finance concentration.

With that said, I have questions and am seeking advice from those reading this post. As someone who doesn't have an undergraduate degree in Marketing, Business, Accounting, etc., how possible is it for someone such as myself (holding a science degree) to transition over to a corporate white-collar career by obtaining an MBA? Is it worth it to even pursue an MBA --- will recruiters still express interest in someone such as myself that doesn't have an undergraduate background in BA but has a strong desire to work a corporate job? Do you have a similar story --- was your undergraduate degree in something completely different but then decided to make a 180 and entirely switch you career into something more white-collar through getting an MBA?

A main point that I wanted to make note of --- is that I understand that me obtaining an MBA does not necessarily mean that the doors are wide open for me to be placed in a managerial or executive career option. That's not want I'm currently seeking. I just want to know how feasible it is for me to acquire a typical white-collar office job through obtaining an MBA, while of course utilizing my networking options, attending career fairs, etc. Again, I'm not looking for a career-pivot for money, but mostly for a lifestyle change.

How will I pay for this degree? Well, Kennesaw State University's Evening MBA with a concentration in Finance is 36 credit hours, According to the university's graduate tuition and fees, that'll cost me approximately $12-13k total for the degree. I still live at home with parents.. therefore it is very possible for me to save up this amount of money by August 2024 with my current salary, which is when I plan on enrolling for the program. No, I don't think that my current Job as a geologist would support me in tuition reimbursement if I pursued this MBA, especially if I am seeking out this concentration as a means of switching industries.

Any advice and insight is appreciated. I am fairly settled on the idea that I don't want to be a geologist for the rest of my life, and would rather just go back go school, get an MBA, and completely pursue a career outside of what I went to undergrad for.

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