How an MBA Can Help You Get Ahead in Your Career

Interested in studying an MBA and want to know what the benefits might be? Adam Maidment is a guest contributor from Manchester Metropolitan University, one of the top MBA providers in the North West of England.

Having a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) qualification as part of your repertoire will really set you apart from those without one. As one of the most highly-valued qualifications in the business world, it might just be what you need to advance your career.

MBA programmes aim to teach you all the essential knowledge and skills you’ll need to advance in your career. Many professionals who complete an MBA course were promoted to more senior positions as a result of their studies too.

In the GMAC 2015 Year-End Employer Poll Report, 96 percent of employers said that hiring recent MBA graduates created value for their company showing that not only can it add value to your own career but those who you work for too.

Whether an MBA is something you’ve been considering for a while or something you’ve never contemplated, we’ve taken a look into how an MBA can open up new opportunities for your career.

An MBA is typically taken by people who want to advance their career by progressing into senior roles or management positions.

Many people will decide to study for an MBA later on in their careers, especially after gaining the essential business experience that is expected from such a high calibre of students. Many universities will require you to have at least a 2.2 undergraduate degree in a related subject. Postgraduate and specialisation qualifications may also help to strengthen your application.

Some top MBA accreditors (such as AMBA) expect applicants to possess a minimum of three years professional experience with a strong background in management and leadership. It’s best to check the exact entry requirements for any given courses.

MBA applications are also likely to involve an interview. Here you’ll be expected to demonstrate how an MBA fits into your career path, so make sure that you’ve thought out your career goals and have a clear direction of where you want to go. This is your chance to impress, so make it count.

An MBA is a globally recognised qualification, renowned for having high entry requirements. This means it can have an immediate appeal to employers as they consider applicants for new positions.

Earning an MBA can also be a crucial step within your overall career progression. Research suggests that 42 of the top 100 Fortune companies are lead by CEOs who hold an MBA. This shows that more top business leaders are seeing first-hand the potential that this qualification has.

As the MBA programme is aimed at professionals who have already started their careers in business, many programmes are part-time and perfectly suited for those who already have work commitments.

Many MBA candidates use the qualification to progress to leadership and management roles, or use the knowledge and insight they have gained to start their own businesses and enterprises. In fact, according to recent research, the failure rate for small businesses started by those with an MBA qualification is half that of the standard rate of failure.

Another benefit is the many opportunities to network and meet like-minded people with the same business acumen that you possess. With access to a wider professional community, you’ll not only have chance to expand on your business connections but also to learn skills from them that’ll help you further down the line.

Finally, many MBA programmes also offer vital hands-on experience within various settings. This can include trips abroad or across the country, showing you how other businesses work and operate differently. This experience can be invaluable and will often transform your own business practices and approaches.

Paying for an MBA can be an understandable obstacle to most, but with there are many different funding opportunities available.

Working alongside your studies is one option that helps many contribute towards their fees. There are also many universities that offer a variety of scholarships and opportunities. Investigate what your potential university has on offer and if there are any available options applicable for you.

Another funding option is to be sponsored by your employer. Not only will your company benefit from the leadership and management you’ll have developed from your MBA alongside enhancing their own skills, and in some cases you may also be able to gain discounts on fees.

If you put in the time and effort, the experience and know-how you’ll gain from doing an MBA will be invaluable for the rest of your career. Not only will you learn essential life skills but you’ll also gain the confidence and knowledge to lead and manage in business.

Today’s business climate has made it even more difficult to land that dream job so having a highly-recognised qualification like an MBA will help establish you against potential employees.

Studying for an MBA will offer a fulfilling challenge and a rewarding experience - and it might provide just the stepping stone you need to advance your career.