An MBA degree can provide a variety of benefits. It can help you advance your career within your current company or move into a new field.
To earn an MBA, you’ll need to meet the school’s application requirements, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, GMAT or GRE scores, and essays.
A Global Perspective
An MBA puts you in contact with peers from across the world with diverse work experiences and perspectives. This is especially true if you pursue an MBA program with a global component, such as the one at SNHU. Course designers also keep in mind the need for critical thinking skills and communication in an MBA program, ensuring that graduates will be ready to face any business challenge they may encounter in their careers.
Whether you are just starting your career or seeking a promotion, an MBA can help to propel your professional growth. The degree can also cultivate your entrepreneurial ideas and help you establish yourself as a business owner. However, it’s important to understand that an MBA is not right for everyone. If your current career aspirations don’t require or significantly benefit from an MBA, it may be more practical to earn a different type of masters degree. The following are some examples of other masters degrees you could consider if your career goals don’t include an MBA.
Strong Communication Skills
In our largely remote and hybrid work environments, strong communication skills are the hallmark of highly connected teams. They help people understand and support each other, collaborate more effectively, and resolve conflict efficiently. They also increase personal happiness, bolster workplace wellness, and improve overall mental health.
Effective communication includes listening to hear, but also speaking to be understood. It encompasses verbal and non-verbal cues, including tone of voice, enunciation, and body language. It also involves reading the emotions of others and being able to respond appropriately.
While it may seem trite, it’s true that good communication is key to almost every aspect of life. It is the foundation of intimate relationships, and it is essential in professional settings to foster teamwork and build a positive reputation. In addition, it’s crucial in business, where it allows you to articulate complex ideas and negotiate deals. It is considered a “soft skill” but is essential for success in any career.
Practical Experience
The experience gained from internships and practical experiences help individuals bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional requirements. Through hands-on activities and exposure to real-world environments, these opportunities cultivate essential skills and give individuals the confidence to excel in their fields.
In addition to gaining valuable skills, students also learn to be self-reliant and capable of working independently through their practical experiences. This is an invaluable trait that translates into the workplace and beyond.
According to a former director of MBA admissions at Drexel Dornsife, work experience helps applicants stand out. She adds that MBA programs want to see that the applicant has a clear progression of their career, which can be demonstrated through describing their roles and responsibilities. This shows that the student has leadership potential and is ready to take on greater responsibilities once they earn their MBA. It also gives the impression that an MBA is a necessary next step in their career path.
Networking Opportunities
A key benefit of an MBA program is the opportunity to build a strong professional network. Many programs go to great lengths to provide networking opportunities for students through mentorship, seminars, workshops and industry events. This access to a variety of people from different industries offers students and graduates insights into the workings of various industries that they may not fully understand through reading.
MBA alumni networks are also a valuable resource, and many schools will arrange one-on-one meetings with alumni for their students. Using technology such as Human Roads can help students find alums in their area to talk to about their careers and the industry they work in.
Whether you are looking for your next big role, or simply want to expand your business horizons, networking is essential. The process of forging links between people in an organised way for a specific purpose is key to boosting your career, and MBAs are among the best-positioned people to do so.
