I had 14 years writing code, running development teams etc. before I did my MBA.
At the time I was technical director for a online service so already pretty business aware.
It helped me to fill in some of the gaps in my knowledge but most of all it taught me how to think - how to hold two opposing ideas in my head and work out possible solutions, it really helps to pick ideas and arguments apart and look at the alternatives.
Nearly ten years on from my MBA, I'm still doing hands on technical work and enjoying it but I also can talk to anyone from development, ops etc. right through to board level execs in their own language and that works wonders.
At the time I was technical director for a online service so already pretty business aware.
It helped me to fill in some of the gaps in my knowledge but most of all it taught me how to think - how to hold two opposing ideas in my head and work out possible solutions, it really helps to pick ideas and arguments apart and look at the alternatives.
Nearly ten years on from my MBA, I'm still doing hands on technical work and enjoying it but I also can talk to anyone from development, ops etc. right through to board level execs in their own language and that works wonders.