From Nanny to CEO: Do You Really Need an MBA?

Hey BA Fam! Today I’m answering a question from a listener who calls herself “Tired Nanny” — a 27‑year‑old who recently moved to the U.S., has a bachelor’s in education, and is wondering if an MBA is the key to pivoting into business.

She’s saved enough to cover grad school tuition and a year of living expenses and is tempted to quit nannying altogether so she can focus on school full‑time. In this throwback Brown Ambition Q&A, I break down: • Why your current job (yes, even nannying) can be a powerful bridge and not a dead end when you’re pivoting careers • How to decide if an MBA is actually worth the time and 50K+ price tag for the kind of business or career you want • Alternatives to grad school: continuing education, mentorship, networking, and learning directly from working entrepreneurs • How to reframe “this is all that’s left for me” into “this is how I’m planting seeds for my future self” as a young immigrant woman building a new life in the Stats See for privacy information.