The Best Higher Education Option Hands Down—Earn an MBA Degree to Get Ahead

Amanda Watson weighs the reasons why earning an MBA degree is worth continuing your education in business administration.

In the wake of a miserable economy, staggering unemployment, and mounting student loan debt, going back to school for an advanced degree can seem misinformed at best. We, as a country, are in an extremely difficult time economically—this is a well-known fact. The unemployment rate remains at a steady high, the job market remains as fierce as ever, and graduating college students are faced with some of the largest student loan payments ever seen in history.

As a young 20-something just out of school and entering the “real world” for the first time, aside from mom’s basement graduate school was once a common safety net to harbor off the “real world” job search for just a few years longer. While many of us would love to spend two, three, or four more years studying the historical rhetoric in lesser-known Shakespearean plays or the existence of a “God Particle” in upper level physics classes, for most of us, this just isn’t a wise financial option. That being said, there is one degree in the higher education world that seems to have skipped out on the academic downfall of our economy—the MBA.

Study after study has shown that obtaining a Master’s degree in Business Administration is one higher education qualification worth the loan payments. While obtaining the degree will require more schooling outside of the work force and will have an academic price tag, the MBA degree typically pays its own bill in the long run. Like so many of us are, if you are suffering in today’s economy and are interested in the world of business, here are three reasons to consider an MBA degree:

Competitive Advantage in the Work Force

One of the most compelling reasons to obtain a Master’s in Business Administration is because of the competitive advantage this qualification can give you in the job market. With the job hunt being one of the most disheartening and difficult aspects of becoming a “true adult” in this age, having some sort of leg up on your competition can be hugely helpful. So many intelligent and qualified individuals are entering the job market full-force in recent years that it can seem almost impossible to make waves. Because so many qualified and experienced workers have been laid off from their jobs, open positions are flooded with qualified applicants. This can be a real struggle for recent graduates because employers tend to pick individuals with more experience. This is where an MBA degree can come into play. This advanced degree shines on a resume for the right position. In some cases, employers will pick the MBA holder over the applicant with years of experience.

Un-hit by Recession Struggles

While the recent economic recession has made open job positions scarce and limited, an MBA degree translates well into many different fields. While a specialized master’s degree or doctorate typically only lead to very specific areas of work, an MBA can be beneficial to almost any area of industry. Students who complete degrees in Business Administration gain professional skills and knowhow that employers from across the board value and seek out. Of course, obtaining an MBA does not guarantee a pass to the full-time position of your dreams. However, the degree specialization can be a big seller in the right industry and position. MBA programs work to combine elective and specialized business courses so that students are thoroughly educated in how to handle complete business situations. The MBA is one of the most professionally (and financially) sustainable advanced degrees available.

Flexible Degree

Another large perk associated with the MBA degree is the amount of flexibility many programs allot their students. Many MBA students are individuals already working in the industry and hoping to gain a leg up while remaining active in the working world. For this reason, many MBA programs allow flexible schedules to allow students to remain full-time or part-time employees. Because the purpose of an MBA degree is to supplement a career in business, many schools and programs work together with industry leaders and companies to prepare students without interfering with their regular industry work.

 

About the Author

An experienced writer on all things related to higher education and business, Amanda Watson spends her days covering the latest stories on various topics such as online mba rankings, web entrepreneurship, and social media marketing. You can contact Amanda at .