What are the Benefits of an MBA?

A Master of Business Administration is such a popular degree, its initialism, MBA, is common knowledge. But what does it mean to earn an MBA? How does it benefit those who achieve it? How could it benefit you?

It's currently estimated by the US Census Bureau that 8% of Americans hold master's degrees. So earning an MBA already puts you into an elite group of individuals who have taken their education beyond a bachelor's degree.

An MBA is also the preferred degree for those looking to move ahead. In fact, the degree is so popular that out of all master's degrees conferred in the 2011-2012 school year, a staggering 25% of them were MBAs. When that many people move toward one degree, it has to make you think.

There are many reasons to want to earn an MBA. Compared to other levels of education, from high school diploma, to associates degree, to bachelor's degree, a master's level degree indicates total mastery of a subject. 

It doesn't take a mathematician to see the significant difference between even a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. Not only this, but CEOs and high-level directors and corporate board members were found to commonly have MBAs. In fact, 40% of Standard and Poor's 500 CEOs polled have earned MBAs.

You might be wondering if attaining this level of education can help you to get a job, but what about keeping it? Unemployment levels are also estimated by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. They report that individuals with master's degrees faced 2.8% unemployment. This is compared to 3.5% for someone with a bachelor's degree and a hefty 9% for someone with a high school diploma.

The education that goes into the MBA is just one facet of the degree. Networking is an important part of any business and you can make many helpful and powerful connections during your time earning your degree. This is especially important for MBAs and it shows! 59% of survey respondents who had earned a master's degree stated they use the network they formed in college to help out not only their professional life, but their personal life.

Thinking about working for yourself? Many entrepreneurs earn MBAs before venturing into the business world for themselves. Although self-employed business grads make up a small percentage (about 13%), this group reports 90% satisfaction with their business school education.

Perhaps you're worried about being stuck where you are for several years while you earn your MBA. But with online education and international MBA programs, you don't have to stay put to get your master's degree. Travel can be helpful if you want to specialize in a particular market or segment of the business world. Being able to move to the epicenter of your interest can put you right in the middle of the action.

Online MBA programs allow you to study and work wherever you are. Whether you're traveling through Europe or never leaving your hometown, your classroom is a few clicks away. This option is convenient for many people looking to attend schools which aren't local, and who aren't interested in relocating.

MBAs have been shown to be beneficial, but how can they help you grow as a person and, more specifically, a business person? You can gain many important skills while studying for an MBA. For example, you could learn management and leadership skills. Classroom education puts you in charge of pretend companies so you can practice your skills without having to worry about a company folding because you made a simple mistake.

Additionally, you will be working with your classmates on projects and demonstrations. You will need to hone your teamwork skills in order to make the grade. Problem solving can be a large part of business management. When everyone is looking to you to come up with a solution and the clock is ticking, you've got to know what to do. With MBA classes you can practice in a safe environment for real-life issues.

Another benefit you will gain from an MBA will be exposure and familiarity with different kinds of technology. No matter what you're used to, there is always something new coming out and a savvy business person has to know not just how to use one program, but many. Earning an MBA degree will allow you to learn new programs and use them to solve problems, preparing you for when you're in charge of your own team.

If you'd like more information about how an MBA could benefit you, be sure to download your free copy of Is An MBA Worth It? If you're considering ECPI University for your MBA, contact a friendly admissions advisor today to discuss your options and see if ECPI University is right for you. 

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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