Changes in the economy tend to send people scurrying for the safety of education. In an interview with CIO magazine, Thomas MacKay, the assistant director of IT at Christopher Newport University, in Newport News, Va., describes the extra support an MBA gives to an IT management career but it can apply to any potential MBA student. For this and the next post, we will present his argument in favor of earning a MBA.
- Credibility
Getting an MBA shows how committed you are to business, that you’ve invested in your skills, learned new technologies, and gained a certain amount of knowledge about business. - Learning to think like a business person
Becoming skilled in strategy, value, human capital, and planning cannot be undervalued. - Big picture
With an MBA, you learn to see problems and opportunities holistically. You also have analytical frameworks, such as risk assessments, cost-benefit analyses and strategic plans, to any problem or opportunity you encounter. - A Golden ticket
An MBA might be your ticket to a certain inner circle – you’re seen as having more to offer than someone without an MBA. - Improved communication with business colleagues
Business professionals use a lot of jargon. Business school teaches you distinct languages for all the business functions you will encounter. - Solving business problems
Because MBA students study a variety of business problem-related material; they can assist with a multitude of solutions.
These skills can certainly be gained from years on the job or alternate training. An MBA is expensive and requires a huge commitment – emotionally, financially, and personally. You can be distracted from your regular routine. But an MBA can provide all of the above benefits in a condensed amount of time within a comprehensive framework and offers lasting credibility.
Business ownership is not for everyone but furthering your education with an MBA to advance your career may be the best option.
