MBA Careers

There are many options available to you when it comes to MBA careers.

However, you are not "guaranteed" the career of your dreams just because you have an MBA.

Career planning should take place well before you get your first MBA job.

Potential MBA students will get the most out of their career when they know "why they want an MBA" and "how it will help them reach their career goals".

But that is not enough...you need to progress toward your MBA career before, during, and after your MBA program. Essentially, you have to make a plan and follow through with that plan.

There is a lot to consider when it comes to careers and an MBA. Here are a few considerations...

• Work Experience - The first thing to think about is your personal work experience. Think of this consideration as what you can do "before" your MBA. Work experience prior to getting your MBA makes a big difference. Most MBA programs require some work experience after you graduate from college. This not only makes the MBA learning environment richer, it also puts you in a position for better entry level MBA jobs. All other things being equal, the MBA graduate with more and better work experience will get the job over the another MBA graduate.
• Networking - The second thing to consider is networking "during" your MBA. The associations and connections you make during your MBA program can have both immediate and long-lasting effects. Take advantage of your associations with motivated students as well as resourceful professors. Also take advantage of any career services and recruiting resources that your school may have. If applicable, get a summer internship in an industry or with a company you are interested in. All these things should help you find the kind of MBA career you are after.
• Job Search - The third thing to consider is the job search required to find a job. Often, this happens toward the end or even "after" your MBA program. Whether it is upon graduation or during the rest of your life, job searching is a vital skill. If you have matched your career goals with the right MBA program, have relevant work experience, and have properly networked during your MBA, you may find that your job search is simplified. However, job searches are rarely easy. When searching for a job you must be proficient in knowing how to create a good resume as well as how to interview well. Conducting a good job search will help you land the job you want.

It seems that every decade or so, there is a question about the "quality" of the MBA degree. History keeps demonstrating that and MBA is indeed valuable and shows a good return on investment. Remember, an MBA is an investment in yourself, your career, and your earning potential. This applies both at graduation and in the future. So it helps to look at the long-term view of your MBA career.