Hi!

I'm in the middle of my 3rd year (of a 4 year program) studying
economics in canada.  It looks like i'll be getting a specialized
degree in this field.

Problem is, im not sure what to do after that??
My dad said to go and get an MBA after i graduate, he said that would
help me get a high paying job (which is what im looking for.. lol)

So heres some questions
1) what does an mba program consist of?
2) what job options would be available to me if i successfully complete this?
3) is getting an mba the best route to being hired for a high paying job?
4) are there other avenues i should be looking at?

im pretty sure my question will need to be clairified, so ill be
around to provide more info incase i left anything out

Thanks!

Buddy06 --

Virtually all of the major business schools have Admissions pages
describing curriculum, requirements and what graduates are doing.  The
MBA is not as narrow a professional degree as say, law or medicine or
even accounting -- which prepare one for a professional exam.  MBAs do
all kinds of things:
"Do MBAs Add Value to the World?" (Omnivorous-GA, Sept. 9, 2002)
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=62925

Note that most major schools have admissions programs for
undergraduates -- but are finding that 3-4 years of work experience is
very valuable.  This from the University of Chicago's Graduate School
of Business, one of the top schools in the U.S.:
"Q: What about work experience?

A: The admission committee looks for quality of work experience, not
just quantity. Applicants should highlight skills developed,
contributions they have made to organizations, and leadership roles.
Typically, our students have three to four years' work experience
before applying to the GSB. Students find that having work experience
as a frame of reference enhances classroom learning. Equally
important, recruiters view pre-M.B.A. work experience as an asset,
which maximizes you career opportunities after school."

The University of Chicago's students ALL have full-time work
experience in the class entering this year.  The average age was 28:
"Chicago GSB Class Profile, 2003" (undated)
http://gsb.uchicago.edu/dynamic.asp?nNodeID=847

University of Chicago GSB
"FAQs" (undated)
http://gsb.uchicago.edu/dynamic.asp?nNodeID=849

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA
University of Chicago GSB, 1979

buddy80-ga ,

If you wanted a Masters degree that was perhaps more flexible than an
MBA, you might consider a Masters in Project Management.  Here's a
link to one such program, from the Keller Graduate School of Business
Management:

http://www.keller.edu/programs/mpm.html

Just wanted to give you another possibility. 

Hope this helps,

omniscientbeing-ga

Hello buddy80-ga,

I suggest that you start with talking to your campus career center.
They will have lots of information. Check what they offer in terms of
counseling and workshops for exploring your career options and the
pros and cons of getting a graduate degree.

To start gathering information about what it takes to get an MBA there
are tons of resources on the web.

Start with the Google Directory and search for MBA.
://www.google.com/search?q=mba&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&cat=gwd%2FTop

Do some reality checking by talking to people who have an MBA. Ask if
your career center can connect you with some alumni. Ask your Dad if
he knows any MBAs who would be willing to talk to you. Talk to
everyone you meet about their jobs and how they got started.
Concentrate on things you like to do and find out who is doing work
along those lines.

Ask yourself whether an MBA is worth it. 
http://www.quintcareers.com/MBA_degree.html
The Master of Business Administration: Is the MBA Worth the Time, Effort, and Cost?

Good luck on your explorations.

~ czh ~