It certainly isn't true that an MBA is going to be the right or best choice for everyone who considers it. Recently Forbes online published an opinion column that gave a resounding thumbs down to taking the MBA path. There's no doubt that the article had some good arguments. It is true that business success will lie in one's ability to master processes of discovery regarding good idea and effective solutions. Heck, if you think you've already got that covered then maybe you should hang onto that $150k!
On the other side of the equation, of course, a lot of people over the years have found that the rigors of a structured learning experience, such as provided by an elite MBA program, is just the place to learn such skills and aptitudes. That though is not the only relevant consideration.
Here are a few questions you might ask yourself.
Let's say that you put absolutely no value on the academics. Surely, though, you value having a strong business community network. What other experience is going to give you one like an MBA will? The business superstars frequently come to guest lecture at the top schools. And even more important than their talks is the opportunity to socialize, which is never squandered. Furthermore, don't forget about your peers. Many of them will turn out to be the superstars of the future.
Making these great connections while you're all still climbing up the industry latter will great a camaraderie that will serve you a lifetime. (Though, this does require, as we've emphasized elsewhere, choosing the right program for your chosen industry). And don't forget too the special perk of an MBA: a strong, influential alumni association.
Have you considered the blank slate effect? Obviously, graduating from an MBA program doesn't mean that in any way your past experience is erased. However, neither are you limited to or constrained by it. When the potential employer looks at you freshly out of your MBA program, they don't look at your past work history as a summary of your future potential.
Your past work history is no longer evaluated as a summary of your future potential. Now, your past work experience merely supplements your value as a prospective new colleague. But now you have the additional virtue of having demonstrated the initiative and exercised the discipline to better yourself; to in fact have equipped yourself with an exciting new skill set, body of knowledge and valuable professional connections. You're now full of the promise of new opportunities.
Finally, though it might at first seem a bit esoteric, there's a lot to be said for a person who demonstrated the ability and willingness to step outside of their comfort zone? It's great to talk about challenging oneself, people talk about it all the time. Doing it, and showing everyone you are doing it, is another matter. Entering an MBA program is a statement about your ability and willingness to take on unprecedented challenges. Don't think it doesn't go unnoticed.
You carve from your busy life the time to concentrate on personal improvement and advance. And you place yourself in a situation which will demand the best of you. If you can do that all on your own, that's excellent. But how many people fool themselves that they are (or will, someday soon) do so? When you take the leap and enrol in an MBA program, there's no fooling anyone. You've taken the challenge and have to rise to your best to succeed.
It's probably true that a lot of money and time is wasted on MBA pursuits that might have been better left unfulfilled. However, even aside of the curriculum there are many subtle, though extremely beneficial, perks of an MBA which it would be a mistake to underestimate. These are some the questions you should be asking yourself to be sure that it's the right choice for you.
On the other side of the equation, of course, a lot of people over the years have found that the rigors of a structured learning experience, such as provided by an elite MBA program, is just the place to learn such skills and aptitudes. That though is not the only relevant consideration.
Here are a few questions you might ask yourself.
Let's say that you put absolutely no value on the academics. Surely, though, you value having a strong business community network. What other experience is going to give you one like an MBA will? The business superstars frequently come to guest lecture at the top schools. And even more important than their talks is the opportunity to socialize, which is never squandered. Furthermore, don't forget about your peers. Many of them will turn out to be the superstars of the future.
Making these great connections while you're all still climbing up the industry latter will great a camaraderie that will serve you a lifetime. (Though, this does require, as we've emphasized elsewhere, choosing the right program for your chosen industry). And don't forget too the special perk of an MBA: a strong, influential alumni association.
Have you considered the blank slate effect? Obviously, graduating from an MBA program doesn't mean that in any way your past experience is erased. However, neither are you limited to or constrained by it. When the potential employer looks at you freshly out of your MBA program, they don't look at your past work history as a summary of your future potential.
Your past work history is no longer evaluated as a summary of your future potential. Now, your past work experience merely supplements your value as a prospective new colleague. But now you have the additional virtue of having demonstrated the initiative and exercised the discipline to better yourself; to in fact have equipped yourself with an exciting new skill set, body of knowledge and valuable professional connections. You're now full of the promise of new opportunities.
Finally, though it might at first seem a bit esoteric, there's a lot to be said for a person who demonstrated the ability and willingness to step outside of their comfort zone? It's great to talk about challenging oneself, people talk about it all the time. Doing it, and showing everyone you are doing it, is another matter. Entering an MBA program is a statement about your ability and willingness to take on unprecedented challenges. Don't think it doesn't go unnoticed.
You carve from your busy life the time to concentrate on personal improvement and advance. And you place yourself in a situation which will demand the best of you. If you can do that all on your own, that's excellent. But how many people fool themselves that they are (or will, someday soon) do so? When you take the leap and enrol in an MBA program, there's no fooling anyone. You've taken the challenge and have to rise to your best to succeed.
It's probably true that a lot of money and time is wasted on MBA pursuits that might have been better left unfulfilled. However, even aside of the curriculum there are many subtle, though extremely beneficial, perks of an MBA which it would be a mistake to underestimate. These are some the questions you should be asking yourself to be sure that it's the right choice for you.
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