Debating the real value of an MBA is always a fun topic. For an example, see Seth Godin's great satire on his concept for a new business school, the New Order Business School, aka, NoBS. Given that I am quitting my job this summer to go back to school full time, it does sting a little to read this as there is a lot of truth to it, I am sure. However, I am not daunted, just realistic in what I hope to learn in and gain from business school.

I do recommend that all of my compadres out there who are about to embark on the MBA journey, or who have already set sail, pay particular attention to the five items that Mr. Godin suggest are vital to running a business that you won't learn in business school; those being:

1. Finding, hiring, and managing supergreat people

2. Embracing change and moving quickly

3. Understanding and excelling at business development and at making deals with other companies

4. Prioritizing tasks in a job that changes every day

5. Selling -- to people, to companies, and to markets

I think it's important for all MBA grads, students, and prospectives, to realize and understand the negative sentiments that you may encounter, then strive very hard to prove them wrong.

If reading that article brings you down, remember this: it was written by a Stanford MBA.

--Chris