MBAs enhance career paths to success

Regardless of the program format, an MBA is designed to provide students with the tools and experiences they need to reach both short-term and long-term professional goals. Regardless of the program format, an MBA is designed to provide students with the tools and experiences they need to reach both short-term and long-term professional goals. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close MBAs enhance career paths to success 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

"The purpose of an MBA is to add value to an organization. Having the knowledge from the cross-disciplinary approach in teaching and the confidence that comes with this knowledge allows students to grow within their company or have the skills to make a full transition to a new industry," said Dalia R. Pineda, director of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment at the University of Houston.

Pineda said MBA programs are looking for individuals who are ready to take on a rigorous curriculum and, at the same time, be able to contribute to the classroom environment with their own experiences and knowledge.

"We often tell applicants that learning in an MBA program begins with the faculty and continues with the students themselves - you're starting a lifelong network of professionals from diverse industries and professions, so being willing to dive in and learn through collaboration is key."

Those seeking MBAs often come from a variety of backgrounds – potentially an advantage, Pineda said.

"Over half of MBA students come from a non-business or non-engineering background. Diversity is key. An MBA program is designed to bring you in and build off of your existing foundation of knowledge and teach you how it applies to business in every industry," Pineda said. "Anyone from any background can be successful in an MBA program.

"The fact that you can view problem solving from a different set of lenses is extremely valuable to any organization."

Applying to an MBA program takes some preparation, but MBA admissions teams are trained to support you every step of the way.

"Fill an application form and schedule an interview with (an admissions committee). Prospective students are also encouraged to come to an information session or a visit to an actual MBA class on our campus," said Alex Sleptsov, assistant dean for Executive Education at the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University. "We are looking for highly motivated people who want to dramatically expand their knowledge base and, through that, their career advancement options.

"We evaluate our prospective students in a holistic way, looking at their experiences, expertise, aspirations and commitment levels."

Once enrolled, the amount of time required to earn an MBA varies by program. Some colleges offer full-time "fast track" programs that may be completed in as little as 18 months or conventional programs that may be finished in two years.

"Regardless of the program format, an MBA is designed to provide students with the tools and experiences they need to reach both short-term and long-term professional goals. Graduates find their MBA degree provides a competitive edge," said Arvind Mahajan, associate dean for Graduate Programs at Texas A&M's Mays Business School.