Here’s Why Non-business Majors Should Get an MBA
by Sumona Job & Career 02 July 2022
It’s no secret that the business world is competitive. To stand out from the crowd and thrive in this challenging environment that’s driven forward by technology, it helps to have an edge.
And while a bachelor’s degree in another field of study will almost certainly help you get your first job after graduation, getting an MBA can help you stand out from your peers and give you the professional edge you need to advance your career.
What Is an MBA degree?
The MBA degree is a 2-year part-time program that prepares graduates for business management roles. The MBA curriculum is designed to give students a strong foundation in both business theory and practice.
In general, an MBA degree aims to equip students with the necessary skills to lead change and drive innovation in organizations. It will improve your career prospects and give you a professional certification that will prove useful for future job opportunities.
Even if you don’t have a business-related undergraduate degree, you can still get an MBA. Many people choose to go back to school after completing their undergraduate studies and enrol in programs that offer an MBA for non-business majors. They might have majored in something else, such as biology, engineering, or computer science. Or they might have acquired an undergraduate degree in a non-business field.
But even as a non-business major, an MBA degree can help you explore new opportunities and pivot toward jobs with more business-related responsibilities.
If you have a non-business undergraduate degree, you may be wondering why you should get an MBA, what it takes to get into business school, and how to go about finding the right MBA program for your needs. Keep reading this article to learn the answers to your questions, and more.
Let’s get started with the ways in which non-business majors could stand to gain from getting an MBA:
1. An MBA Helps Build Your Network
Business is a network-based industry — so much so that many business schools actually teach students how to network effectively. Business networks can help you find jobs, find investors for your startup, and find clients for your service business.
If you’re a non-business major, you may have trouble finding your way into these networks. An MBA can help you make inroads through the business community. If you’re able to attend a top business school, you’ll have the opportunity to meet other ambitious and successful business leaders — many of whom will be eager to connect with someone in a different field.
Your network can help you land a job, learn about different industries, and connect you with the contacts you need to get your business off the ground.
2. An MBA Teaches You Business Basics
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is perhaps the most well-known graduate degree. It’s also one of the hardest to get admitted to, due to its reputation as a proving ground for future business leaders.
As such, for many non-business majors, the main reason they don’t pursue an MBA is a lack of confidence when it comes to their understanding of business concepts such as finance, marketing, and operations management.
Many non-business majors mistakenly believe that they’re not qualified to attend a top business school. But the truth is, you don’t have to be a business major to get accepted into a top business school. However, you do need to understand the basics of business.
Business schools want to admit individuals who can easily transition into leading a company one day. Therefore, they want to admit individuals who clearly understand the ins-and-outs of business so that they can easily transition into leading a company one day.
If you’re a non-business major, you can ensure that you’re prepared by taking business-related courses during your undergraduate education. Read as many business books as you can, and familiarize yourself with the language of business.
3. An MBA Helps You Build Core Skills
Business is a vast field that includes nine different specialties. Most non-business majors have a specialty within their industry that they are passionate about.
An MBA can help you deepen your knowledge in your specialty and transition your career toward a more business-focused area.
For example, let’s say you’re a psychology major and you work as a therapist. You’re interested in transitioning into marketing, but you don’t think you have the right background. Getting an MBA will allow you to strengthen your marketing knowledge, even if you have no formal education in that field.
4. An MBA Gives You a Leg Up in the Job Hunt
A major reason why individuals with non-business majors pursue an MBA is to give them a leg up in the job hunt.
Business is the most popular industry for job seekers, and many companies accept candidates with non-business degrees. However, if you want to get your foot in the door at a top firm, you may need to get an MBA.
Some fields are even more competitive than others. For example, many companies value engineers, computer scientists, and other technical majors above other candidates. If you’re a non-technical major, getting an MBA may help level the playing field.
How To Get Into a Top Business School After Your Undergraduate Degree?
If you want to get into a top business school after your undergraduate degree, you need to put in a lot of work.
First, you need to understand what top business schools are looking for in their applicants. Once you do that, you can create a strong application to show them how valuable you would be as a student at their school. Make sure you stand out and demonstrate your value through an exceptional application.
You might need to also improve your GMAT score. Aiming for a score of above 730 on the GMAT is crucial to getting into a top business school.
Which Type of MBA Program Is Right for You?
The best way to decide which type of MBA program is right for you is to do some research. You can start by visiting our list of recommended business schools where you can find more information about each school’s MBA program. Consulting a business school admissions advisor can help you make a better decision on which type of MBA program is right for you.
You should also think about your long-term career goals and how you want to position yourself in the business world. If you want to become a leader in a specific industry, you may want to consider applying to a hybrid MBA program. These programs allow you to specialize in a specific field, such as marketing, finance, or operations.
If you’re getting an MBA, it’s important to make sure the school you choose is accredited. Accreditation is the process by which organizations evaluate and approve educational institutions.
Confirm whether the school programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Management (ACB). The ACB is an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits business school and business administration programs.
These programs have specific criteria for admitting non-business majors, though, so make sure you understand the requirements of each program before applying.
Another thing you should also consider is the MBA program. Generally, there are two types of MBA programs: full and part-time programs.
Full-time MBA programs are designed to be completed in two years. They usually require students to take classes on a full-time basis during the day and commute to campus. Part-time MBA programs, on the other hand, are designed to be completed in two years. They usually require students to take classes on a part-time basis in the evening.
Students who choose a part-time MBA program may do so because they have a full-time job that they don’t want to leave. They may decide to get their MBA while they continue working full-time.
However, both types of MBA programs require students to complete a capstone project. This project is designed to integrate everything you’ve learned in your MBA program, culminating in a finished product. It can be related to your field of study or something completely different.
The Bottom Line
The business world is more competitive than ever, and it’s getting harder for companies to find the skilled workers they need. That’s why companies are looking for individuals who have specialized skills that enable them to work across many different fields.
In response to the ever-growing demand for technologically savvy business leaders, many individuals with non-business majors are getting an MBA to position themselves for a career in the business sector.
According to the latest data from the Association of MBAs, there has been a 19 percent increase in non-business students applying to get their MBA over the past two years. This signals that non-business majors recognize how valuable an MBA can be in advancing their career — whatever field they currently work in.
All in all, an MBA degree is a great way to position yourself as a valuable asset in the business world. It allows you to acquire the skills you need to work in a variety of fields. It also allows you to work across many different industries, advancing your career while making the world a better place.
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