Now or Later: When to Pursue an MBA Degree

by Richard Barrington

 

For anyone sold on the benefits of an MBA degree, the primary question is not whether to pursue an MBA, but when to do it. Does it make more sense to continue on immediately after college and earn an MBA, or is it better to get some work experience first?

Those choosing to pursue an MBA generally expect it to open up new career opportunities, but among this group there are significantly differing schools of thought on when it makes sense to get the degree. Which is the right course may depend on the person and the circumstances, so first consider the pros and cons of each side of the argument before deciding.

No Time like the Present

There are several arguments in favor of going on directly from earning an undergraduate degree to pursuing an MBA degree:

·                  Why wait to reap the benefits of an MBA? If the degree really does open the door to new career opportunities, what's the sense in waiting?

·                  Don't risk having your plans derailed. You may plan to gain a couple years of work experience and then go back for your MBA, but there are plenty of things that can get in the way in the meantime--family, health, motivation, changes in financial position, etc. Just because you have the motive, means, and opportunity to pursue an MBA now doesn't mean you can count on having those things in the future.

·                  Go while you are still in scholastic mode. Ever try exercising after letting yourself go for a couple years? It's not easy to get back into something challenging. Not that work isn't difficult too--it is probably more difficult than school, but it requires a different set of "intellectual muscles". Getting back into studying and test-taking doesn't always come naturally after some time away from it.

There Is No Teacher like Experience

Those are all valid arguments, but the counter-points for waiting to earn your MBA are worth considering as well:

·                  Gaining some work experience first can help you determine how you want to concentrate your MBA studies. For example, if your employment experience triggers a desire to eventually start your own business, you may want to enroll in an entrepreneurship program. An MBA incorporating an entrepreneurship program will teach you advanced business skills focused on the challenges of starting a business.

·                  Earning a paycheck and paying down some of those college loans may put you on more solid financial footing before you pursue another degree.

·                  Your work experience may be so successful that you decide you don't need an MBA after all. Some time in the workplace should help you determine whether you can reach your goals under your own power or if you'll need the extra boost of an MBA degree.

Have Your Cake and Eat It

Then there's the "have your cake and eat it" school of thought, which advocates pursuing an MBA concurrent with gaining work experience. With the recent increase in opportunities to pursue MBA degrees online, this path may be especially viable. Some employers even offer education benefits, paying some or all of their employees' continuing education costs.

Whether you earn your MBA degree online or in the classroom, working and taking classes at the same time can be a heavy burden. Juggling these priorities will certainly require sacrifices in other phases of your life. However, strongly committing to your new career both at work and in class could impress your employer and push you ahead of your competition. Also, you might find that working and going to school complement one another, as your work experiences add dimension to what you are learning, and your coursework gives you new insights to apply on the job.

Find Your Own Path to an MBA and New Career Opportunities

The benefits of an MBA degree can be realized either before, after, or concurrent with gaining work experience. So choose your own way--to quote German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche "... you can never climb in vain: either you will reach a point higher up today, or you will be training your powers so that you will be able to climb higher tomorrow." The option of earning an MBA degree online just adds more ways in which you can customize the approach to suit your needs and circumstances. In the end, you'll find that picking your own route will be the most satisfying way to the top.