How Can an MBA Work for You?

Assessing how an MBA can meet your personal and professional goals can help you find an MBA program that best matches your needs and business skills.

By Karen Lawson
karen.lawson@mba-business-schools.com
MBA-Business-Schools Columnist

The MBA degree, or Master of Business Administration, is highly coveted among business professionals and corporate recruiters. Determining whether, when, and where to get your MBA degree is important to your success. MBA candidates typically have significant business experience in addition to a four-year undergraduate degree. Here are some tips to help you decide if an MBA is right for you, and how to match your experience and career goals to an MBA program.

The ABC’s of Graduate School: Finding an MBA Program That Works for You Admissions to top MBA programs can be highly competitive, and you’ll want to do your research before applying. The Graduate Admissions Council suggests the following tips for selecting an MBA program that will best assist you in advancing your business career.

• Accurately assess your skills and experience. Avoid embellishing your credentials, or writing what you think the admissions committee wants to hear. Your knowledge of your abilities and goals will help you (and MBA admissions committees) determine if a particular program suits you.
• Is Your Timing Right? Many MBA programs require significant business career experience. If you want to advance your career with your current employer, are there opportunities for MBA graduates? Are you financially and personally prepared for the commitment required of graduate study?
• Know the Culture of Your Prospective Schools. Academic institutions, like corporations, have specific cultures. If possible, arrange to visit the campus or contact current students and faculty to learn about the culture of MBA programs you’re considering.
• Consider What You Can Contribute. A major aspect of success in your business career and successful MBA study is teamwork. What will you contribute to your MBA program? Students consistently rate the contributions of their colleagues as significant to the quality of their MBA programs.

Knowing your goals and researching MBA programs can help you select a program that works for you and your business career.

Source

Graduate Management Admissions Council

About the Author

Karen Lawson is a freelance writer whose interests include topics in education and the humanities. She holds an MA degree in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Posted on February 28, 2007 at 2:23 PM

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