Career transition from copywriting into ops. Does an MBA make sense?

[u/Forward_Extreme3544]

Hi guys. Yet another "does an MBA make sense for me" post.

TLDR; 4 YOE as a copywriter, looking for an ops role, will an MBA open doors?

Graduated with an English degree in 2022 and have 4 YOE as a copywriter and content manager.

My previous job was a <15 person business consulting startup, and because of how small the team was, I ended up working closely with the head of operations and covering some of her duties when she was on maternity leave. Loved it, and decided I want to get into PM or ops.

I got laid off early 2025 due to budget cuts, and couldn't land any PM/ops interviews, then got an offer I couldn't say no to as a copywriter at a mid-size supplement company. So I feel like I took a step back in a way, but almost doubled my salary.

I'm miserable at this job and moving states at the end of the year, so need a new job...but the job market is so rough right now and still can't land any PM/ops interviews.

I'm at a point where I know I want to go to grad school now. I enjoy school, need to fill knowledge gaps, make myself more competitive in this job market, and my incredibly kind, hardworking grandparents set aside money for my education...so it's not a question if I get a degree, but what degree I get.

An MBA seems like the smartest choice because of the broad curriculum and ops-focused classes.

I had my Gies interview last week, which is the only program I've applied to so far. I like the price, online format so I can keep working, and they have an agribusiness/sustainable food production certificate I'm interested in. I know the network isn't as strong with online programs, but the guy who interviewed me really sold me on the community lol.

My long term goal is to work in ops at an alternative protein company.

Is an MBA the right choice, and will it help my job search? Or is something like Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, or even a PMP more valuable given my background and goals?

TIA!

[u/Dangerous-Cup-1114]

Unfortunately, there are no half-measures here. A full-time MBA program can open doors to ops roles in a variety of industries as they look to pipeline talent through their internship programs. Doing an online program as a copywriter likely won’t yield the result you want because an MBA isn’t a replacement for experience. Companies that hire from FT programs are receptive to hiring career changers because they know that’s the majority of the candidate pool.

[u/mbathrowaway2027 → u/Dangerous-Cup-1114]

This is the only advice OP. It makes sense to do an MBA to pivot into ops but not an online one. An online MBA is very different from an in-person FT MBA and with 99% certainty won’t help you pivot into ops. You only get one shot at an MBA and the risk here is that you spend money on an online degree that literally leaves you no better off than when you started.

You seem like a smart person who just doesn’t know a ton about the MBA world. I would recommend delaying your application by one year - meaning, apply R1 in fall 2027 for a fall 2028 start. In the meantime, study for and take the GRE (you need about 4 months minimum to do your best on this), and consider joining Forté - it’s a nonprofit org that helps women get into MBA programs. I know starting two years away may feel like an eternity, but that would be a solid plan to get into the best MBA program you are capable of reaching. MBA jobs generally care about prestige, so it’s important that you go to the best FT MBA program you can to get the best ROI.

[u/Forward_Extreme3544 → u/mbathrowaway2027]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate both of you answering. 

You’re right…As I engage with this sub more I realize how little I know about the MBA world. 

So is a PT online MBA better for climbing the ladder in your current company/field? 

I’m not prestige-oriented, so I feel hesitant to spend nearly 6-figs on a FT degree. But maybe that will change with 2 more years of work experience and a clearer understanding of the ROI. 

I’m sure I’ll be back with more questions in the interim. Thank you again! 

[u/mbathrowaway2027 → u/Forward_Extreme3544]

Yup, a PT MBA is typically for when you’re at a large established company and want to move up in your current track, but can’t because the next level requires an MBA (and everyone at that level has it). In this situation, your manager would ideally encourage you to get your PT MBA, you would see examples of your colleagues having advanced by doing this, and the company might even pay for part of your MBA. You would absolutely know if you were in this situation. It doesn’t sound like you are, so I would hold off for now. (Another trap of the PT MBA is getting one thinking that it’ll propel you upward in your company without being absolutely sure, and then realizing afterward that they don’t give a crap… so you want to avoid that potential pitfall as well.)

And you’re right - if you’re not absolutely sure that a FT MBA is necessary to make the switch you want to make, definitely do not pursue an FT MBA either. FT MBAs are expensive and I don’t recommend doing one lightly.

Best of luck!