Are you planning to get an MBA? Here are a few things—the good, the bad, the unexpected—to consider before you do.
For the most part, MBA programs focus on quantitative and technical training, which are, without a doubt, important skills to learn and master. But in the real world, managers face more than just issues on finance, accounting, and operations. This is why there are now a few business schools that have expanded their curriculum to include interpersonal and leadership training in their MBA program. If you’re planning to get an MBA, go for a school that offers these. You’d want to enroll in a program where you’ll learn not only the technical and operational aspects of running a business, but also the organizational skills you’ll need to manage and work with other people.
Networking is one of the chief benefits of getting an MBA. In business school, you will have a lot of opportunities to work with a group. This encourages teamwork and gives you the opportunity to expand your network. The people you meet, get to know, and form social relationships with in your MBA program—peers, alumni, professors—can help you later on in your career. The network you form in business school can be beneficial for job searches, finding mentors, and establishing your professional contacts.
An MBA can help in your career advancement, but keep in mind that there are a lot of people in top managerial positions that do not have an MBA. What we’re trying to say is that an MBA can be beneficial and give you a competitive edge, but is not necessary in scoring a leadership position in a company.
Also, there are some who have a negative impression of people with an MBA degree. Some believe that graduates of MBA programs are arrogant, entitled, and difficult to work with. So remember that at the end of the day, how well you do and how far you get in a company depends less on your degree and more on how well you get the job done.
If you’re planning to start your own business, an MBA degree can equip you with the knowledge, skills, and tools you’ll need to manage your own start-up. As a plus, you can tap into the network you established in business school.