Upon graduating with your bachelor’s degree, you can either focus on pursuing a career or on earning an advanced degree. Choosing to earn your Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree immediately after finishing undergrad can be a smart decision. What makes this such a good option? Here are some of the most important benefits to diving into an MBA program right after undergrad.
- No Break in Your Education
Although you can put off earning your MBA, you might end up regretting this decision. Having a break in your education can make it much harder to go back to school later. When you start working right after earning an undergrad degree, there are no exams to study for or assignments to complete. You lose that school-focused mentality. It can make it a struggle to get back into a routine of paying attention to classes, completing assignments, and studying for exams. You may have to brush up on study habits that you’ve forgotten.
By going straight from undergrad to grad school, you maintain that learning momentum and focus. You’re already in the routine of handling school-related tasks from your bachelor’s degree program. While an MBA program is likely more academically challenging, you won’t have to make as big of an adjustment as you would if you chose to start working first. Earning your MBA right after graduating with your bachelor’s can set you up for success in an advanced degree program, since you’ll seamlessly utilize the study habits you developed as an undergrad and adapt them, as needed, for your MBA program.
- Focus on Your MBA Only
While you might be eager to put your undergrad education to use and get your career started, holding off a bit longer can be a good choice. Getting into an MBA program after graduating allows you to give it your full attention. Since MBA programs often involve a more challenging workload, this is an important benefit. You’re more likely to do well in grad school when you’re able to devote plenty of time to classes, exams, and assignments. Starting an MBA program right away gives you this time to focus.
If you decide to wait, you might end up having to juggle the demands of a job and an MBA program at the same time. Having to divide your time and attention between work and school can be difficult. This could have a negative impact on both your work and your academic performance. To make sure you succeed in your MBA program, you should consider earning this degree right away. Once you graduate with your MBA, you’ll be able to shift your focus to your career.
- Higher Earning Potential, Sooner
Finding a job right after getting your bachelor’s degree means you might be settling for less money. The jobs you can get with an undergrad degree usually don’t pay as much as the jobs you can pursue with an MBA. While this can vary by company, keep in mind that employers are typically willing to offer a higher salary to those who have an MBA degree compared to those who stopped with a bachelor’s degree. Your MBA can also make it easier for you to compete with other job applicants who have no degree or an undergrad degree only.
Having your MBA can also improve your chances of making more money right from the start. Rather than negotiating a higher salary later, you can start off with higher earning potential. This can help you build a rewarding career from a starting position of earning strength. While you’ll spend more on school when you go for your MBA right away, your higher earning potential can offset this. Waiting to earn your MBA means you’ll have to try to earn higher pay at a later point in your career.
- Network and Make Connections in the Business World
Networking and making connections in your industry is an important part of having a successful career. You never know what doors will open when you meet professionals in your field or industry.
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait until after you graduate to network when you’re in an MBA program. Your program should provide you with opportunities to make connections in the business world through school events, conferences, and even individual classes. Your instructors and MBA alumni might also be able to help you meet business professionals.
Being able to network when you’re still earning your MBA can make it easier to find a great job after graduating. If you choose to hold off getting your MBA, you’ll be missing out on opportunities to make important connections in your industry, potentially making it harder to build a career. Networking during your MBA program can help you learn about job openings you might be interested in or employers you might want to work for. You’ll also have a better understanding of what you can expect in your field or industry after talking to other professionals, helping you better determine the career path that’s right for you.
- More Time to Choose a Career Path
Taking a job after earning your bachelor’s degree might not put you on the right career path. You might find that you don’t enjoy your work or that you’re more interested in a different type of career. You might discover that you would rather work in an entirely different industry or field. Having to leave your job and look for another one can be time-consuming and frustrating. When you go into an MBA program instead of taking a job, you’ll have that additional time to think about your career goals.
During your MBA program, you can explore different career paths. This can help you determine the type of career you want before you enter the business world. Choosing a career you really want rather than settling for a job after undergrad can help increase your chances of having a satisfying career. When you earn your MBA immediately after graduating, you won’t feel pressured to choose a career you might not want. Instead, you can take your time deciding on a career path that fits your goals and interests.
If you’re interested in earning your MBA, contact The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for more information on our degree program options. UTC’s Gary W. Rollins College of Business offers an Online MBA option and a Flexible MBA option that is a mix of online and in-person classes.
Sources
https://thebestschools.org/degrees/mba/mba-right-after-college/
