Thread regarding ExxonMobil Corp. layoffs

So many colleagues got their MBA and left EM after realizing how toxic the culture was. If they didn't leave right away, they did so after the min period. Most MBAs network to find better opportunities and then leave EM.
Sure, the pay may be higher, but the overall work environment is terrible and fewer people will tolerate a job they hate.

I got one using the company’s tuition benefit (evenings/weekends.) It was a fantastic experience and I learned a ton.

Perhaps the most valuable part was meeting classmates from other companies/industries and getting a better understanding of how truly sh***y EM’s culture is. My organizational behavior & leadership courses also underscored this.

I used my business school’s career office to land a new role in a new industry. My new employer gave me a signing bonus equivalent to what I owed EM for leaving before two years, and I also doubled my EM salary. Best decision I ever made.

Our core culture encourages employees to be arrogant and have an MBA (MAJOR BAD A$$).

Kudos to those with a real MBA...................not like the one mentioned above!

If you have a “Technology “ degree instead of an “Engineering “ degree, getting an MBA might climb you out of that category in your HR records.

I have seen a great capable guy held back because he had a 4 year Technology degree. He was in same category as draftsmen. He went to night school for 6 years to get a real engineering degree and move out of that category.

@1ypc+1s6ehyfG How do you get a sponsor? What part of management is eligible to sponsor someone?

Company doesn’t care. If you aren’t already a HiPo it won’t make you one.beware if you have company pay part of the cost as you will then be stuck at exxonmobil or have to pay it back if you leave. Days of company paying for it all are gone.

I’m the one who posted about senior leaders having MBA. I stand corrected. It’s been a couple years since I looked at that and to be fair there’s been a lot of movement since then. Maybe things are changing.

You should not get an MAB

Getting a sponsor is much more valuable that getting an MBA.

@xlt+1s6ehyfG. I don't think you spent 15 min researching our leaders..so not sure where you got your information. But we are still a company primarily run by engineers. Contact execs..NC and JPW do NOT have MBAs. And DW was hired WITH his MBA... he didn't do it after he was hired

President of Upstream... NO MBA
President of EMPS.... NO MBA
President of EMTEC.. NO MBA, just PhD
President of Global Projects...NO MBA
... Trading... NO MBA, masters in mgmt
... GO&S : NO MBA
...GBS.: NO MBA
Supply Chain: NO MBA

@xlt+1s6ehyfG. Not sure where you got your information. But we are still a company primarily run by engineers. Contact execs..NC and JPW do NOT have MBAs. And DW was hired WITH his MBA... he didn't do it after he was hired

President of Upstream... NO MBA
President of EMPS.... NO MBA
President of EMTEC.. NO MBA, just PhD
President of Global Projects...NO MBA
... Trading... NO MBA, masters in mgmt
... GO&S : NO MBA
...GBS.: NO MBA
Supply Chain: NO MBA

MBA can get you a higher salary than any Exxon role if you consider finance or consulting or founding a company

Engineer background with MBA in money. It’ll help a lot if you want Finance career

I would lose the y'all draw first before anything else upstream engineer.

I have a response that’s a bit of a hybrid of what’s already been said.

The company doesn’t care about MBAs? I suggest you go in career connect or company websites and spend 15 minutes studying the educational background of our most senior leaders in the company. Our CEO has an MBA, and I want to say all the contact executives do too. Not sure on the presidents but based on this pattern I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re batting well over 0.500.

I asked this same question of a friend once, and he told me that if you need an MBA the company will tell you when it’s time. I worked with a rising star who, curiously, kept working his MBA when the company stopped paying for it. Was he doing it on his own dime? Maybe. But this same person also got a cush expat assignment in 2020 when they couldn’t bring expats home fast enough due to costs. Is it too much to think maybe he was getting special treatment?

That said - if it’s something that you’re interested in and you think it’s going to make you a better worker then absolutely go do it! Just know that you’re not going to get a promotion or a pay raise, and nobody is going to bow at your feet either. But the educational reimbursement is still a great benefit.

If you're doing it for yourself... go for it

If you're doing it to climb in the company... This is not a guaranteed path. once you're in the company, your ranking and potential are more important gateways to new opportunities

I'm an engineer...I did the MBA for myself, and I believe it did help me to compete as a candidate for roles in finance (e.g planning) , but I know others that it didn't work for.

Bottom line...do it if you want it for yourself, but there are no guarantees it will benefit you in EM

Company will give $60K allowance under a bond that you stay 2 years.

Managers most of them with bachelors from tier-3 schools in the south don't value it; in fact might ding you in assessments.

Get it and consider prospects externally.

I did it. Was absolutely useless in the company’s eyes. If anything, it will entrench the view that you are an analysts wonk and lock you into a perma staff role.

Also beware that most MBA education is not what it was twenty years ago. The weekend warrior MBAs are now worthless because they accept everyone and you lose the value of learning from your classmates.

Mr. Woods has an MBA.

Not worth anything at Exxon. Do it for personal reasons only. If you want to get real value out of it you'll have to use it to go elsewhere.

Saw some cases of those who have MBA's played down by their managers who don't have Masters Degrees, like jealousy playout.

MBA is useless