The Impact of an MBA on Your Career
An MBA is a transformative experience, professionally and personally, says AMBA employer relations manager Aarti Bhasin.
Studying at an AMBA-accredited business school is a considerable undertaking that requires a huge amount of discipline, time and money – and it can be challenging. But, if you are determined and dedicated, completing an MBA can be life-changing.
The MBA offers high-level insight into management strategy and analysis, focusing on core areas such as marketing, operations and finance and specialist topics including sustainable business and innovation. However, an MBA can offer much more than that: an MBA is a transformative experience, professionally and personally.
So what, in particular, can MBA graduates expect to achieve?
Career Prospects
Completing an MBA is a great way to stand out as a candidate for advancement within your company. AMBA’s 2016 Careers and Salary Survey of 3,355 MBA graduates found pre MBA 15% of respondents held senior management positions, but a quarter (25%) of respondents were at a senior management level within one year of completing their MBA. In 2016, 58% of the MBA graduates surveyed for this study are in senior management, board level or CEO roles, following the completion of their MBA.
Research conducted by AMBA’s strategic partner GMAC found that 84% of employers planned to recruit MBAs in 2015 compared to 74% in 2014. In fact, the MBA was the most sought-after post-graduate qualification in the opinion of the employers surveyed.
Flexibility
IfIf you want to stay with your current company or cannot afford to give up a salary for a year, an MBA is still a great option for you. Part-time MBAs allow participants to continue working in a job role they enjoy, whilst developing their skills and knowledge.
Your employer may even offer to fund your MBA as these programmes teach valuable skills. If you show promise, it could be in your company’s best interests to train you in this way. You may have to commit to your organisation long-term for them to invest in your future, so, if you are content in your work environment, ask your employer whether this is an option.
Transferable skills
Studying for an MBA will give you the chance to enhance your skills and knowledge about your industry, and can offer aStudying at an AMBA-accredited business school will enable you to enhance your skills and industry knowledge, while also offering additional benefits that will span the duration of your career. During the course, you will develop leadership proficiency and study in-depth management strategy and analysis. These are vital skills that can be used in all areas of business and are very impressive to prospective employers.
The programme will give you the opportunity to work on a series of team projects. Through these, you will develop skills in people management, teamwork and negotiation. You may also be required to complete modules that require public speaking; all good leaders develop their communication skills to ensure they are perceived as confident, knowledgeable and calm.
You will have the opportunity to learn about all aspects of business; not just the areas in which you work. You will develop an understanding of other people’s roles, which is paramount when leading in business.
You might consider starting your own business. The leadership and negotiation skills you develop during your MBA, as well as your contacts and knowledge, will put you in a great position to take this leap.
Salary Increase
If you’re looking for a high-earning role, an MBA could be the route for you. AMBA data shows that the global average salary of a graduate from an AMBA-accredited business school stood at £69,760. In the UK the mean salary of an MBA graduate was £86,225.
Networking
During your MBA course, you will meet and build relationships with some of the best business minds in the world. Your tutors and lecturers will share their knowledge and experience with you, and there will be regular talks and guest lectures from industry thought leaders.
The people alongside whom you study make excellent networking contacts. Afterwards, they will likely go on to be successful in their field, so will be useful contacts throughout your career.
Studying for an AMBA-accredited MBA gives you an exceptional platform for networking at the highest level. You will be part of a diverse and experienced group of professionals, studying alongside people who have been carefully selected, while benefiting from top-quality connections with alumni from some of the world’s best business schools. Some of your fellow students are likely to become lifelong friends.
AMBA has a membership network of more than 40,000 MBA students and graduates in some 150 countries across the world, who regularly connect via our online Community or at our social events across the globe, to innovate and collaborate.
How Can Studying an MBA Impact My Career?
Completing an MBA is a solid investment for a hardworking, ambitious and motivated person who believes that they are suited to senior management. Studying for an MBA can help you advance up the career ladder, create new networks of contacts and open doors you may not have previously considered. Although it’s a considerable commitment, if you know you’re the type of person who can handle the challenge of holding a leadership position, and are prepared to learn and develop new skills throughout your career, an MBA could be the best career direction for you.
AMBA is here to support you throughout your entire MBA journey, from researching courses to offering support during and after your studies, through knowledge sharing, networking and learning events.
As an AMBA member, you will have access to our Career Development Centre, where you will find e-learning tools and guidance to help you with your employability and candidacy for your next step. The Career Development Centre also as an MBA Jobs portal, updated daily with relevant jobs to help you make the most of your qualification.
You can sign up to receive regular newsletters and updates on our activities, including international learning events. Our entire global network of MBA students and alumni will be within reach, helping you forge new connections and business partnerships. Get the best out of this by becoming involved with our varied programmes and helping to run events.
