The MBA, which stands for Master of Business Administration, has been launching careers since Harvard Business School’s inaugural MBA program in 1908.
Today, the MBA is the most sought-after business management degree worldwide, both among students and companies.
Top firms like Google, Amazon, and McKinsey hire thousands of MBA graduates to oversee divisions, manage difficult projects, and devise strategies.
MBA alumni have led some of the world’s largest firms. Michael Bloomberg has one, as does Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Donald Trump sometimes claims to have one. Even Shaquille O’Neal owns one.
What we are saying is that MBAs are cool.
With this in mind, we interviewed MBA students, graduates, professors, MBA admissions staff, bloggers, and entrepreneurs, asking them all the same simple question: Why obtain an MBA?
We’ve produced a list of all the reasons you should get an MBA, from advancing your career to learning new skills.
Here’s how earning an MBA can help you advance your career.
1. Go From MBA To CEO
Who rules the world? MBAs. MBA graduates run some of the world’s largest companies, including Apple, Google, and JPMorgan. Andy Jassy, Amazon’s CEO, holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
2. Double Your Earnings
Get rich quick with a return on investment in less than four years. MBA wages in the US average above $100k, with top business schools earning up to $200k.
3. Change Industry
Want to go from finance to fashion, or engineering to business management? An MBA is the ideal opportunity to start over.
More than half of business school candidates pursue graduate management education to change their job function or industry, benefiting from the opportunity to gain new skills and create new relationships quickly.
4. Get Access To Top Employers
MBAs are in high demand at top organizations such as Bain and Microsoft. According to Julia Sanchez, the dean of global alumni relations at Spain’s IE Business School, an MBA “opens your eyes to infinite possibilities.”
5. Scholarships
Although a full-time MBA program is a hefty commitment, there are various ways to fund it. Schools offer a variety of MBA scholarships, some even covering 100% of tuition.
6. Go From MBA To US President
You can acquire an MBA in practically any place in the world, and even MBA programs closer to home can serve as a springboard for travel.
7. Study Abroad
Why pursue an MBA? With an MBA, the world is your oyster, since top business institutions offer MBA programs all over the world.
If you’ve always wanted to work in a particular nation, such as the United States, consider enrolling in an MBA program to learn about the work culture and develop connections for a post-graduate career there.
8. Work In The World’s Top Cities
Top business schools are found in many of the world’s most desired cities. Where you choose to study can influence your future career.
9. Break A World Record
Students at London Business School set a new world record for the most different countries participating in a popular singalong. They performed John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ on the school grounds.
10. Cross Cultures
You can learn to operate professionally in other cultures by studying abroad, whether for the whole of your degree or simply a short trip.
Did you know that in Japan, excessive eye contact is considered disrespectful? The more you know.
You may even gain valuable knowledge outside of the classroom.
