Obtaining a master’s degree in business is expensive and while you may be entertaining the idea, it can often be difficult to push yourself to fork over such a large chunk of change. Here are ten excellent reasons to take the plunge and sign-up for business school. From networking opportunities to developing a marketable skill-set, these reasons should help you make a sound decision.
1. Quantifies your knowledge base.
It doesn’t always matter where you learned something, but having a degree is an easy way to prove your knowledgeability on a subject. Prospective employers can see exactly what classes you took and what subjects were covered.
2. Prepares you to think like a business person.
Not everybody is ready for the cutthroat world of business. Obtaining a master’s in business, however, exposes you to the business environment at a more gradual pace. You will be working with teachers and staff whose sole job is to prepare you for what comes next. This will give you time to adjust to the fast-paced world and enter it fully ready.
3. Exposes you to networking opportunities.
Business schools typically maintain large alumni networks, full of graduates who know and respect the program and are happy to give informational interviews or consider current students for internships or jobs. Student peers, too, can prove useful contacts years after graduation. By attending a master’s program, you will be exposed to all of these contacts which can drastically help you get a job post-graduation.
4. Exposes you to business terminology.
The more you know what someone is talking about, the better you’ll understand and be understood. Business jargon can be quite specific, so it’s helpful to know what the terms relate to (especially the acronyms that give no clues as to what they might mean). Business schools will keep you informed on the most up-to-date jargon.
5. Develops written communication skills.
Classes at business schools usually require long papers dealing with the topics and issues of the class—these provide practice for explaining a point in writing, as well as developing and proving your skills at comprehensive analysis.
6. Helps better solve business problems.
By exposing students to an array of aspects of business, an MBA can prove far-reaching when information outside of one’s own specialty is needed. Particularly now that business school classes are more diverse than ever, a broad base can help problem-solving skills and thinking outside of the box.
7. Teaches standards of business.
Business practices are often fairly standardized—clients, coworkers, and often the law expect certain protocols to be followed, protocols that are typically taught and analyzed at business school. This can also expose you to useful technology and skill sets, and you won’t have to reinvent the wheel each time you do something new.
8. Provides skills relevant to any workplace.
You’ll notice that quite a few of the skills on this list would be helpful in any work setting—no matter what kind of business you’re involved in and often regardless of whether it’s “business” you’re involved in at all. Therefore, obtaining an MBA cannot hurt you. If, for whatever reason, you choose not to pursue a career in business, the skills you learned in business schools will be impressive to many employers and will help you in any job environment.
9. Many jobs require an MBA.
Today’s job market is competitive and more and more positions now require a master’s degree. When deciding whether you need to get an MBA, make sure to explore all potential career options. You may find that you don’t have a choice at all and an MBA is required for many of the positions you are interested in.
10. You want to start your own business.
For those interested in starting their own businesses, an MBA is an excellent stepping stone. Not only will this give reassurance to future employees and clients, but most MBA programs will give you excellent ideas and contacts for starting a business from scratch.
Sarah Stegner is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog. She also writes on online college courses for Guide to Online Schools.
My ESADE MBA 