Will an MBA Open More Doors?

Education is expensive, but if you want to hit the heady heights of success in the corporate world, nothing less than an MBA from a prestigious educational establishment will do. Or so they say. But is this true?

An MBA is a popular qualification. You could go to Harvard, or you could study in your own time via an AACSB online MBA program. Really, it depends on your career aspirations and whether you have dreams of sitting on the board of a Fortune 500 company by the time you are 40. Online MBA programs fit in well with work commitments and are affordable, but unless the benefit outweighs the cost, an online MBA degree may not be right for you. So let us look at whether an MBA will actually open more doors.

Greater Success

Research has shown that people with an MBA typically enjoy greater success in the corporate world. As soon as you add the magic three letters ‘MBA’ to your resume, you can expect to be shortlisted (unless you are applying for a position serving food at a fast food outlet of course). Often, having an MBA is enough to guarantee you an interview when you might otherwise have been overlooked.

Greater Credibility

If you are lucky enough to score an interview, an MBA qualification gives you greater credibility. A potential employer will view you as someone with greater potential to ascend the corporate ladder, so unless you blow it, you stand a good chance of getting the job.

Higher Earning Potential

Candidates with an MBA on their resume have greater earning potential. Many companies award a salary based on qualifications and experience. With an MBA under your belt, your earning potential is a lot higher than an identical candidate without, although it does depend on the size of the company.

Greater Promotion Prospects

You are more likely to be promoted if you have an MBA. Companies tend to look more favorably at candidates who have taken the time to boost their skills.

Networking Opportunities

Do not overlook the benefits of the networking opportunities afforded by MBA programs. You will be required to work in study groups, do group projects and build relationships with your fellow students on an MBA program. These relationships will likely continue once you have graduated, so some of your peers could go on to become valuable and trusted contacts in the professional world. We all prefer to work with people we know, so if a vacancy arises in a top company and one of your contacts has a say in the hiring process, you are already a step ahead of the other candidates.

Whilst an MBA is undoubtedly a valuable qualification to have, it isn’t the only factor at play in whether you will be a success. There are plenty of high-profile entrepreneurs who have achieved a huge amount without a single qualification to their name, Bill Gates and Richard Branson to name but two.

Always weigh up the pros and cons before you apply for an MBA program, but if you do decide to go for it, an MBA could be the best thing you ever did.