A Master’s in Business Administration is one of the best degrees you can achieve because it is so universal. Every industry has managerial levels, executive levels, and to reach these, you either need to be in the know with the right people or you need the right skillset.
In both cases, having that skillset is going to make or break your career. You can get to the top through nepotism, but only with the right tools under your belt will you succeed in that role.
That is why everyone who has their sights on a managerial position should look to an MBA to help them thrive. MBAs are perfect for lower level managers wanting a bigger position, and for those who are top in their field that want to transition off the ground and into a managerial role.
Completing an MBA while maintaining a full-time career is difficult, but not impossible. With this complete guide, you can take it step-by-step until you succeed:
Reach the Right Stage in Your Career
MBAs are not for newcomers. They are not the next step after you complete a bachelor’s degree. They are not even for those at the start of their career. They are for upper level professionals such as the top engineer who wants to be eligible for the manager role. They are for the manager who wants to conquer a region. They are for those that are on the precipice of the golden years of their career but cannot seem to overcome key barriers.
Find the Best MBA for You
If you are in this position where you need business know-how to proceed with your career, then all that is left is to find the right MBA for you.
A Career-Focused Program
Most MBAs are created with careers in mind, but what you need to focus on most is that the MBA in question has your career in mind. There are specialist MBAs out there to help those in unique industries. Engineers, supply chain operators — all of these have specialist MBAs or certifications available to make you more effective at your job.
The second quality of a career-focused program is a simple ‘learn today, use tomorrow’ mantra that ensures the skills you learn can immediately be put to work towards your career. This is great practice and wonderful for building the cornerstones towards your promotion.
The Right Certificates
For example, you will usually have a choice of four certifications to complete alongside your degree. These include:
- Global Leadership
- Operations Management
- Supply Chain and Enterprise Resource Planning
- Healthcare Management
There are, however, many certifications available. Finding the degree that will help with your individual career trajectory the most is important. An engineer looking to rise to management positions not just on the floor, but on the global scale, will need global leadership or supply chain certifications to go far.
Click here to learn more about what your MBA will offer and what each certification includes so that you can customize it to your needs and goals.
The Right Institution
Don’t necessarily look at the overall ranking of the institution, but at the program’s ranking. Pay particular attention to student satisfaction to help you decide whether the program is right for you or not.
Apply to Your Top MBA Choices
Once you have a shortlist you will begin the application process.
GMAT vs. Non-GMAT
The first difference between application types is whether the institution in question requires GMAT scores or not. GMAT is, essentially, a standardized test. You can study for your GMAT and complete it online. It is not, however, the only option. If you hate taking tests, then don’t worry. There are many institutions that will look at your merit and experience instead of a highly problematic standardized test.
Entrance Essay
You will almost always need to create an entrance essay for your application. This essay should be a cover letter, with the only difference is that it also outlines why and how you would use your MBA to further your career.
Collecting References
References are most important for non-GMAT applications. It also doesn’t hurt to ask for them as you can publish these references on your LinkedIn profile, or you can keep them on hand if you are ever on the job market again.
Using Your Experience
You will also be required to send in your resume or CV. In many ways, you can consider your MBA application a job application, so brush up your resume the same way you would for a job by tailoring it to the institution.
Top Tips to Help You Juggle Work and Study
Remember that you will be accepted. It might take a while, but you will eventually secure a place at a top MBA program. In the meantime, you will want to improve your habits so that you can seamlessly and successfully start juggling your career and education.
1. Adopt Healthy Routines
You need to be healthy if you want to have energy during and after work. This means exercising regularly, eating healthy breakfasts, lunches, and dinner. It means getting a solid eight or nine hours of sleep every night. Your routines will make or break you, so build healthy routines well in advance to support your education.
2. Learn on Your Commute
You can learn on your commute. If you take a bus or a train to work, you can read on a tablet, your phone, and even take notes. If you drive or cycle you will need to rely on audio tools. Video lectures, text-to-talk articles, or even voice notes you make for yourself are useful.
3. Use the Same Study Space Every Day
You need to be able to focus immediately on your study and the best way to do that is to place yourself in an environment where that is all you do. This could be a home office, it could be a café, or the library. Try to work at the same place and ideally during the same time frame every day for the best results.
4. Create Reviews of What You Have Learned
If you want to really take in what you learn and retain that information, you need to translate everything into a medium you best understand. For most, this means making your own notes and then organizing them into reviews so you can easily go back through what you have learned.
5. Use What You’re Learning at Work
Top MBAs teach you on-the-ground tactics, meaning you will be able to use what you learn at work from the start. Do this, and you can commit what you have learned to muscle memory.
6. Take Breaks
Just as you schedule when to work or study, you should also schedule breaks. Try to make these breaks productive. Instead of scrolling on your phone, meditate or go for a walk. Give your mind the space to calm down and relax, rather than bombarding it with even more information.
7. Don’t Burn Yourself Out
Know the signs of a burnout and be prepared to take a step back. You might be working too hard if you feel like you are close to losing it. Pushing yourself so hard your work and education suffer is not in your best interest. Regroup and try new tactics until you feel you have a good grasp of the situation.
Ways You Can Take Your Education Further
You won’t ever want to stop learning. Businesses change, business models change, policies change, the world changes. You cannot stop this, but you can stay on top of it. That is why you will want to follow up with these steps:
Attend Talks, Workshops, or Relevant Events in Your Area
It doesn’t even matter if the talk, workshop, or similar event does not offer any new information because these events are wonderful networking opportunities. Get in with these event planners and hosts and you may even be extended an invitation to become a guest speaker yourself. Why are these events beneficial?
- You can learn on-the-ground concepts
- They’re great for networking
- It will help with reputation building
Stay on Top of the Latest Literature
Read the latest reports in your industry, stay on top of economic news, and even consider investing in academic journals that relate to your business or industry for the latest information and ideas.
- Stay on top of latest theories and trends
- Be the go-to employee
Start a Successful Blog
Use what you know to write. You can either start a blog and use the skills from your MBA to build up yourself as a brand, or you can create content to publish on leading websites and print media. In fact, you can do both! It will enable you to:
- Gain international fame
- Build your online reputation
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
The last tip is simple: don’t overdo it. You don’t need to race through to complete your MBA. In fact, rushing often leads to a burnout. You aren’t just juggling some part-time job that you can shift focus away from. This is your career. You need to pay equal attention to both and this takes a lot of energy. Slow and steady wins this race.
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