When it comes to progressing in business towards management or even executive levels, you need the right connections and the right skills. An MBA, in many cases, can help you secure both. This is particularly true if you are at the topmost of your career and are looking to break into the next level.
A great engineer, for example, is wonderful at what they do. What they don’t yet know, however, is how to manage a business from higher up. That is what an MBA can do for you; but, to help you understand further, we have broken down an MBA and what benefits you’ll see from achieving one:
What is an MBA?
An MBA covers many core subjects that will affect every business. Marketing, financing, managing, and even accounting, are usually all covered as standard. You will often be able to customize what you learn further by choosing a certification that will help you direct your efforts specifically towards your career.
MBAs are hard to get into because they look at more than just your academic career. You often need managerial experience in order to apply and get into top degrees.
These degrees are focused around a variety of assessments, so you’ll learn real-life skills alongside invaluable information to help you improve your leadership, management, analysis, and strategic planning skills from the ground up.
How Long Does It Take to Complete an MBA?
It can take anywhere between 12 to 24 months to complete an MBA, depending on whether you attend full time, part time, or online. Most working professionals will take the two-year route so that they don’t have to take a year off work.
Types of MBA
There are different types of MBAs available. The one you aim for will depend on what your goals are and what your industry is. You might want to go for a general MBA if you are looking to enter management, or a specialist MBA if you want to go into a specific role, like engineering or supply chain management.
- General MBA
- Specialist MBA
- Executive MBA
Online vs. Campus
The last distinction when it comes to MBAs, of course, is whether you attend campus or not. For most working professionals, it does not make sense to go to a campus to attend lectures or seminars. It will be hard enough to juggle work and your education without having to travel to and fro. You will also be locked into what your local options are, instead of being able to attend top institutions that have received the #1 ranking for online MBAs in their state, like Kettering Online, for example.
Whichever option you choose, make sure it is the best one for your career and your lifestyle. If you work unpredictable hours or want to be able to better juggle the work/education life, then online works best. If you want to attend your MBA full time to get it completed within a year, then a campus situation could be better.
MBA Certifications
Top MBAs will allow you to customize your degree as you need to with certifications. This is often where you can turn a general MBA into a specialist degree. There are options for healthcare management, supply chain optimization, engineering management, and so much more. You will get two degrees in one and can better position yourself in your career.
Who Should Complete an MBA?
MBAs are for those at the upper end of their career. Not only is it recommended, but many institutions will require you to be in a managerial position and have at least three years of experience in the field. Alternatively, if you are at the top of your career and want to look into global management or into the next tier of roles that are currently locked to you because you don’t have business expertise, this is also when you will want to complete an MBA.
What Can You Do With an MBA?
You can do a lot with an MBA under your belt. You can prove to your employers that you are not only a top expert in your field, but that you also have the managerial know-how to reach new heights. Other benefits are that:
- You can advance your career prospects when job hunting.
- You can build on your existing skillset to make yourself a more effective employee if you are already in top-level management.
- You will have all the tools you need to start your own business.
The possibilities are endless, especially if you combine your individual assets with the new skills learned during your MBA. Take advantage of the tools, resources, and network you will have built to further your career goals.
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