As I completed my Junior year at Binghamton, I started to really consider what I wanted my future to look like. I began searching for opportunities and thought about getting my MBA. Below are some reflection questions (thank you Muse) that helped me reach a decision:
What are your career goals?
Think about what you’ve done in the past and what you’d like to do in the future. As you do this, consider how an MBA will help you get there, if at all. Is an MBA required to pursue a career you are interested in? Will it help you excel in the industry you’re aspiring to be in?
Are you willing to invest the time and energy into completing the degree?
This includes time to improve your skill set, study and take the GMAT/GRE as well as complete prerequisite courses, research programs, and of course, develop strong application materials. Also, think about the time and energy that’d be required to actually pursue your degree once you get in. One of the biggest upsides to getting your MBA is the potential for an acceleration in your career. For example, you may reach higher managerial levels faster with an MBA under your belt, depending on your industry and company. Assess your personal circumstance to determine if this will be the case. I highly recommend networking with employees at a company you are interested in. What does their career background look like? Do they have any advice?
What do you hope to gain from getting an MBA?
Think about the knowledge, skills, and resources that an MBA degree will give you and what you actually want out of the experience. What are you hoping to learn? Develop? Discover? Refine? Better understand? If your only reason for pursuing an MBA is because you don’t know what else to do or you don’t want to get a job just yet, you may want to reconsider. Trust me, I totally understand the struggle. Really dig deep, talk through your thought process with friends and family, and weigh the pros and cons. You got this!
Ultimately, after much consideration, I decided not to move forward with this idea. Getting your MBA, especially through the one-year program at Binghamton, is a great opportunity, however, it is not for everyone! The biggest piece of advice I can give is to not rush any decision. Really consider all of your options, take your time, and reflect on what you really want!
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