Here are some of the most common questions students have when considering an MBA. An MBA can enhance your marketability as a professional and increase the quality and quantity of job opportunities. An MBA also helps you build business leadership skills, as well as a professional network. Wharton graduates are part of an extensive alumni community — over 99, strong in countries.
Learn more about the value of a Wharton MBA. One of the benefits of getting an MBA is an increase in earning potential. Why get a Wharton MBA? Professionals who graduate with an MBA will learn business fundamentals such as leadership, communication, and critical thinking and analytical skills.
Veterans and current members of the military may also be eligible for additional awards benefits to offset the cost of tuition. Similarly, exceptional students may also qualify to be part of the Wharton Fellowship Program. Learn more about tuition and financial aid at the Wharton School. The Wharton MBA application process takes place at three different times during the year, making it convenient for students to apply to the program.
An MBA could be key in acquiring the experience you need to have a competitive advantage in the job market — and this is not a bad reason to pursue one. To explore new industries or functions. Business school is a great time to gain exposure to peers, faculty, and a network of alumni from many professional backgrounds — as well as class projects and case studies that dive deeply into different industries and sectors.
Take the example of one student I recently spoke with. She has two career ambitions: to pivot into biopharmaceuticals and to lead an organization one day. She decided an MBA degree would allow her to accomplish both goals because she will be introduced to resources that will help her learn about and more easily transition into a new industry, and attain the leadership skills she will need 10, or even 20, years down the road.
Some students even come to business school to explore an entrepreneurial path. They typically go on to launch their own startups, or join early-stage firms, including those founded by alums. Something to note about the MBA is that you can apply it to most industries. To accelerate your career path. Not everyone who pursues an MBA wants to make a dramatic change.
Many are looking to pick up the pace of their professional development within a certain industry or at their current company. A part of that involves gaining access to more senior roles with higher salaries. Graduates from top MBA programs often land positions that put them on an accelerated path into leadership.
The reason is simple: Employers expect graduates of these programs to have the academic, interpersonal, and leadership skills to solve complex business problems.
Accelerated MBA programs are also an option for people looking to earn the degree in a shorter period of time. Kellogg launched the first one-year MBA program more than 50 years ago for candidates with the focus and discipline to earn their degree in 12 months, and other schools like Cornell and Duke have added similar offerings.
The accelerated option is not for everyone, but if you have a business background and the need for speed, it may be the answer. To expand and diversify your network.
An MBA education focuses on standard business skills, like accounting, finance, operations, and marketing, but it also focuses on key skills like critical thinking and analytical skills. This type of education can certainly give degree-holders an edge for managerial positions. However, in a lot of industries, companies want to hire managers who have specialized knowledge and experience in their particular industry, not necessarily those who have general educations, like the MBA curriculum.
Make sure you understand what hiring managers in your field are looking for. The reality is that at some point, your MBA will become obsolete. So while an MBA can help boost your career at a specific stage, how well it will serve you down the road largely depends on how you manage your career, and your ability to remain on the cutting-edge in your field. Goals we should all strive for, regardless of education level! There are so many other ways much less expensive and time-consuming ways to advance your career and build your professional skillset without pursing an MBA.
Companies that actively recruit MBA candidates report that they value the critical thinking and problem solving skills of MBA candidates.
So honing in on classes or programs that help you develop these skills could certainly give you a foundation for skills desired by employers and help you decide if this type of education is for you. Maybe a bit of a stretch, but it does serve to show that you can gain skills to enhance your career from a variety of other sources: free online programs, learning from colleagues, or attending conferences or seminars in a field that that interests you. You work your butt off to earn your degree to increase your job prospects, but your shiny new MBA seems to only be limiting you professionally.
An MBA can give you an edge in your career and lead to higher-level and higher-paying positions. What about adding a specialization? More important, though, is that choosing to concentrate your studies in a particular area will better prepare you for the challenges of that specific career path.
MBA programs traditionally focused on finance and accounting but the evolving demand of the market led most graduate business programs to offer additional areas of focus.
This helps students become more knowledgeable about a particular field. For example, he says those looking to be a more effective leader may choose to focus on organizational leadership, while someone looking to up their decision-making and operations quotient may opt for a concentration in supply chain management.
Mossavar-Rahmani reiterates why he often recommends students to add a specialization. Many MBA-seekers are aspiring entrepreneurs. The curriculum in a graduate-level business program can provide a solid foundation for planning, starting, managing, and growing a sustainable, successful business. Launching your own product or service, however, is still closely tied to the idea of leadership and management for an employer.
So, aside from working in a traditional business environment, what can you do with an MBA or how else will an MBA benefit you professionally and personally? Here are a few examples of other job options as well as community involvement opportunities where you can apply your business savvy:. These are just a few ways you can take what you learn in the MBA program and on the job and use it to benefit others.
Not only do these volunteer opportunities feel good; they can also help you expand and nurture your network. The potential for an excellent salary is another motivator for earning an MBA. Of course, pay will vary based on various factors including geographic location, work experience, and type of organization. We also highlighted some industry averages, as that can certainly impact your salary offer.
There are many reasons to earn an MBA: career advancement, salary increase, and personal enrichment to name just a few. I confirm that the information provided on this form is accurate and complete. I also understand that certain degree programs may not be available in all states. Message and data rates may apply. I understand that consent is not a condition to purchase any goods, services or property, and that I may withdraw my consent at any time by sending an email to optout nu.
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