Weighing up the Pros and Cons of an MBA

In today’s increasingly dog-eat-dog job market, candidates have to optimize their resumes to keep pace with the pack. One readily transferable postgraduate degree is the Master’s in Business Management (MBA), which you can study abroad at institutions like American University of Sharjah, giving you an even more enriched experience. However, whether you have just received your undergraduate degree, or you have been qualified for a while, the decision to pursue further qualification has to be justifiable. Read on for some of the arguments for and against forking out for a Master’s.

The expense

There’s no getting around it: your MBA will set you back financially. The money you spend on going to business school could be spent on a deposit for a house, paying off existing student debt or even in starting up your own venture. But it’s worth bearing in mind that if you do successfully qualify, your salary expectations will increase, with the average MBA expecting to make significantly more than their less qualified peers, meaning your chances of a return on investment are good. And just like any business investment, there are always outside sources of funding (loans, sponsorship) if you’re a strong candidate.

The time

Committing to an MBA will take at least one year of your life. Consider all the job applications that could be submitted in that year, the amount of raw business experience that could be gained, or the lessons that could be learned in a year of sole trading. There’s also all the lost wages for the time in which you spend. If you’re still tempted to pursue the qualification but can’t bear the thought of pressing pause on your income or family life, there’s always the option to take it at a slower pace, and acquire a part time degree. For those who already have a mid or top level professional role, an Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) is designed to help those who want to augment their qualifications while in employment, which means you won’t have to give up your dream job for an advanced degree.

The gains

While time and money are pivotal factors in any decision, there are some more esoteric advantages to be gained from attending business school. You will be plunged into a challenging, competitive and commercial environment immediately. A baptism of fire, perhaps, but many graduates need this transition to be prepared for the business world. Studying an MBA abroad can forge the valuable connections so crucial to a far-reaching network of business contacts. What’s more, an MBA will arm you with the skills you need to start your own business, an ambition towards which many with an entrepreneurial bent strive.