Getting an MBA is not the right decision for everyone. A Forbes opinion piece a while back gave a thumbs down to the MBA route. And it made some valid points. The true key to success is indeed mastering the process of idea and solution discovery. And if you can figure that out to the degrees necessary for your success, then maybe you should save the $150k!
Of course, though, there's more to it than that. For one thing, we shouldn't soft pedal the number of people who have experienced the highly structured learning environment of an elite MBA program as exactly the milieu for mastering just such skills. That though isn't the only matter that has to be weighed in taking the measure of such criticism.
Here are a few questions you might ask yourself.
Let's say that you put absolutely no value on the academics. Surely, though, you value having a strong business community network. What other experience is going to give you one like an MBA will? The business superstars frequently come to guest lecture at the top schools. And even more important than their talks is the opportunity to socialize, which is never squandered. Furthermore, don't forget about your peers. Many of them will turn out to be the superstars of the future.
Making these great connections while you're all still climbing up the industry latter will great a camaraderie that will serve you a lifetime. (Though, this does require, as we've emphasized elsewhere, choosing the right program for your chosen industry). And don't forget too the special perk of an MBA: a strong, influential alumni association.
Have you considered the blank slate effect? Obviously, graduating from an MBA program doesn't mean that in any way your past experience is erased. However, neither are you limited to or constrained by it. When the potential employer looks at you freshly out of your MBA program, they don't look at your past work history as a summary of your future potential.
Instead, that work record is just supplementary to a potential colleague who has taken the initiative and exerted the discipline and work to equip themselves with a whole new set of skills, knowledge and professional connections. You're now a freshly wrapped and exciting promise of new possibilities.
Another benefit that is easy to overlook is that which comes with challenging your comfort zone. Talk about self improvement and mastering the discovery of new ideas is great, but, let's face it: like all talk, it comes cheap. So no one can accuse you of cheap talk once you've taken the plunge into an MBA. You've removed yourself from comfortable routines and put yourself out there, where it's either put up or shut up. There's a lot to respect in doing that.
You carve from your busy life the time to concentrate on personal improvement and advance. And you place yourself in a situation which will demand the best of you. If you can do that all on your own, that's excellent. But how many people fool themselves that they are (or will, someday soon) do so? When you take the leap and enrol in an MBA program, there's no fooling anyone. You've taken the challenge and have to rise to your best to succeed.
It's probably true that a lot of money and time is wasted on MBA pursuits that might have been better left unfulfilled. However, even aside of the curriculum there are many subtle, though extremely beneficial, perks of an MBA which it would be a mistake to underestimate. These are some the questions you should be asking yourself to be sure that it's the right choice for you.
Of course, though, there's more to it than that. For one thing, we shouldn't soft pedal the number of people who have experienced the highly structured learning environment of an elite MBA program as exactly the milieu for mastering just such skills. That though isn't the only matter that has to be weighed in taking the measure of such criticism.
Here are a few questions you might ask yourself.
Let's say that you put absolutely no value on the academics. Surely, though, you value having a strong business community network. What other experience is going to give you one like an MBA will? The business superstars frequently come to guest lecture at the top schools. And even more important than their talks is the opportunity to socialize, which is never squandered. Furthermore, don't forget about your peers. Many of them will turn out to be the superstars of the future.
Making these great connections while you're all still climbing up the industry latter will great a camaraderie that will serve you a lifetime. (Though, this does require, as we've emphasized elsewhere, choosing the right program for your chosen industry). And don't forget too the special perk of an MBA: a strong, influential alumni association.
Have you considered the blank slate effect? Obviously, graduating from an MBA program doesn't mean that in any way your past experience is erased. However, neither are you limited to or constrained by it. When the potential employer looks at you freshly out of your MBA program, they don't look at your past work history as a summary of your future potential.
Instead, that work record is just supplementary to a potential colleague who has taken the initiative and exerted the discipline and work to equip themselves with a whole new set of skills, knowledge and professional connections. You're now a freshly wrapped and exciting promise of new possibilities.
Another benefit that is easy to overlook is that which comes with challenging your comfort zone. Talk about self improvement and mastering the discovery of new ideas is great, but, let's face it: like all talk, it comes cheap. So no one can accuse you of cheap talk once you've taken the plunge into an MBA. You've removed yourself from comfortable routines and put yourself out there, where it's either put up or shut up. There's a lot to respect in doing that.
You carve from your busy life the time to concentrate on personal improvement and advance. And you place yourself in a situation which will demand the best of you. If you can do that all on your own, that's excellent. But how many people fool themselves that they are (or will, someday soon) do so? When you take the leap and enrol in an MBA program, there's no fooling anyone. You've taken the challenge and have to rise to your best to succeed.
It's probably true that a lot of money and time is wasted on MBA pursuits that might have been better left unfulfilled. However, even aside of the curriculum there are many subtle, though extremely beneficial, perks of an MBA which it would be a mistake to underestimate. These are some the questions you should be asking yourself to be sure that it's the right choice for you.
About the Author:
Thomas Ryerson write regularly for the site, Business Week MBA Rankings, check it out here.
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