A master of business administration (MBA) is a professional degree that equips graduates with specialized hard and soft skills, enabling them to climb the corporate ladder or start their own businesses. The degree combines an academic background in business fundamentals with hands-on experience through internships, case studies, and other experiential learning activities. It also helps students cultivate interpersonal and communication skills.
In addition to helping graduates boost their earnings potential, an mba can help open new career opportunities in different industries and regions of the world. It can also connect students with a global network of alumni, giving them access to a broad array of job possibilities and mentors.
Many MBA programs offer a range of specializations, or concentrations, where students focus their education on a specific field of business. The degree typically requires a high level of prior work experience and full-time enrollment, with classes scheduled around working professionals’ schedules. Choosing a specialized track can be beneficial if you have a clear idea of what type of industry or company you want to work in.
Regardless of your intended career path, you should carefully consider the reputation of your prospective program. An MBA earned from a low-ranked school won’t carry the same weight with recruiters and hiring managers as one from a top-10 program. Moreover, an MBA doesn’t automatically make you a better manager—in fact, it can be counterproductive if you’re already obtuse or slow to adapt.