Four MBA Benefits for Non-Business Majors

Many people mistakenly believe that you need an undergraduate business degree to pursue an advanced business degree like an MBA. In fact, many colleges and universities value and seek out prospective students with non-business undergraduate degrees to diversify their student body and cultivate differing opinions and skills. Earning an MBA as a non-business major widens your perspective, allowing you to combine your existing talents with useful business skills. Non-business majors who complete an MBA program are on the path to become successful business leaders; the key is recognizing how to apply and leverage your unique skills across many fields and industries.

Whether you want to build on your current expertise, change careers, earn a promotion or start your own business, an MBA program will help you achieve your career goals. Here are four key MBA benefits for non-business majors.

1. Change Your Job or Career

Changing careers is always difficult, but it’s especially daunting in a slow growth economy or later in your career. Your professional experience and qualifications may appear to lock you into a particular career path that is no longer right for you. If you feel trapped, earning an MBA could be the difference between the status quo and a new career.

Job opportunities for new MBA graduates exist in Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, Operations and Marketing, but that list is not exhaustive. Employers in many other industries value an MBA, as it is a clear sign that you possess broad knowledge about the workings of business.

2. Walk And Talk Like A Business Professional

In today’s market, recruiters seek candidates with good communication skills along with the ability to work collaboratively. Collectively, they are referred to as managerial “soft skills” and often include leadership and teamwork. According to the Wall Street Journal, MBA programs have responded to the demands of employers and now devote considerable resources to developing students’ soft skills. What’s more, people with good soft skills are the ones most likely to be identified by their manager for promotion.

Soft skills are essential in a global marketplace where teams must work across geographies and departments to accomplish a goal. Horizontal management structures are increasingly replacing the traditional hierarchical structure where edicts once trickled down from ivory towers. Today, employees spend more time on teams. If you are looking for greater recognition and a promotion, make sure you can walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk.

3. Start Your Own Business Or Manage A Department

If you’ve ever dreamed of setting up your own business or running a department, having an MBA is an invaluable first step. During your comprehensive study over a one or two-year period, you’ll learn the essential business skills needed to get your venture off the ground. Most start-ups fail because of financial mismanagement, not because of a lack of enthusiasm or value. Whether you are looking for seed money for a new business or an opportunity to run your own department, the probability of success will be much greater with the knowledge and skills learned in your MBA program.

An MBA program is also a valuable opportunity to build and expand your professional network. This can be vital for entrepreneurs who are looking to strike out on their own. By choosing an MBA program that welcomes both business and non-business graduates, you can tap the talents of your classmates. Who knows, some of them could make useful partners or collaborators in your next business venture.

4. Gain Confidence and Complement Your On-The-Job Training

Even if you aren’t planning to start your own business or make a dramatic career change, earning an MBA can still help you get ahead. Many employers provide graduate tuition reimbursement, in addition to on-the-job training, because they know that it takes productive workers to stay competitive.

Ask your employer about the value of continuing your formal education. Highlight the key skills that you are interested in obtaining and demonstrate your determination to make a greater contribution to the company. Some employers encourage workers to get an MBA and will adjust work schedules to accommodate schoolwork. Many part-time programs offer classes at night or online, minimizing any potential work conflicts.

Some of the skills that you’ll gain during your studies will be directly applicable to your job. You may just be surprised how quickly classroom theory translates into on-the-job action.

In certain industries, an MBA has become the de facto standard for certain managerial positions and can set you on the right track for additional training and promotion.

An MBA Helps You Pursue Your Career Goals

There are many MBA benefits for non-business majors. Whether you want to increase your confidence, improve your chance of a promotion, set yourself up for a career change, or learn how to manage your own business, an MBA program could be right for you.

Many MBA programs welcome both business and non-business majors. There’s no need to worry about lagging behind your business major classmates since many offer preparatory foundation modules, which provides enrollees with a base level of knowledge that is necessary for success.

Don’t let a lack of business knowledge hold you back or diminish your career goals. Enroll in an MBA program today to develop your skills and gain a qualification that demonstrates your value to current and future employers.

Categories: MBA