After reading the title of this article, you may be thinking “what is an MBA?” An MBA is a Master’s of Business Administration, and it is becoming a very sought after diploma. The MBA is interesting, as it can be useful in a large variety of disciplines. Therefore, it is important to start learning about your post-grad options now.
I am currently studying Health Policy and Administration, and I have no idea what I want to do after I graduate. My parents are constantly nagging me to explore different Master’s degrees, but I still do not know what line of healthcare I want to go into. It was not until recently that I was on the phone with my Nana, and she suggested I pursue my MBA. I was surprised at first, as I never thought of healthcare as an industry where business knowledge would help, but then I got to thinking. Having any level of business knowledge is such an asset to a company, and a hospital is definitely a company.
It is important to know that there are a lot of dual degrees available. For example, I am interested in a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) program, but I know this career choice is not as lucrative as pursuing my MBA. However, I found there are plenty of MBA-MPH programs out there. I did some more research, there are plenty of other dual MBA programs such as MBA/Juris Doctor, MBA/Masters of Engineering, MBA/Masters of International Business and so many more.
Earning your MBA does not have to happen right after you graduate. Some jobs offer tuition reimbursement, as having more education makes you more valuable to an organization. Also, you can get raises based on your education, so you could go in with a higher starting salary. Who knew that being a lifelong learner is so profitable?
There are accredited MBA programs in almost every state, which is beneficial because you can earn it wherever you currently are. Additionally, there are many online programs that you can do. Based on your current life plans, you can spread out the time it takes to get your MBA by only taking a few classes at a time, rather than a full course load. This can help you achieve other personal goals while pursuing your educational goals.
Additionally, being a woman in business is so empowering. Due to most traditional businesses being male- dominated, it would be beneficial to have an edge on other male candidates. Having more women who are passionate leaders increases diversity within the workforce, which improves people’s happiness in their work. At Penn State, there are many ways to get involved with female-based clubs, like Women in Business or HerCampus.
With this, do not feel limited by the degree you earn in undergrad. If you feel the need to pursue a Master’s degree, the MBA is the right choice for you. Having a knowledge base on the various areas of business administration will benefit many aspects of your career, and make you a stand-out candidate in job applications and interviews.