In this post, I'll offer some answers to the two common questions below (and some others):
1. What is an MBA degree?
2. Why pursue an MBA?
Both are excellent questions. Let's break down some of the lingo.
"MBA" stands for Master of Business Administration. It is a graduate degree held in value by many companies and other organizations.
With most MBA degrees, the goal is to develop students' managerial and business expertise and open up new career opportunities. Over the course of the program, students become robustly equipped to lead organizations. University of Houston-Downtown's MBA program offers more than nine Concentrations to choose from, ranging from Accounting to Supply Chain Management. Additionally, UHD's MBA Core curriculum features 10 managerial courses designed to advance students' leadership expertise.
What kind of new career opportunities could an MBA open up for me? According to a 2023 report from NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers), MBA graduates on average earn significantly higher starting salaries than their BBA counterparts.
"The mean salary for general business majors at the bachelor's degree level was $65,246. However, Class of 2022 master's grads in general business earned a mean salary of $110,700—a staggering 70% higher." Kevin Gray, "Salary Differentials Show Value of Earning a Master's Degree for Class of 2022 Graduates".
Should I pursue an MBA? It depends on several factors to consider. You may wish to consider common factors such as cost, time of program completion, whether your organization values MBA degrees (or whether an MBA would benefit you if you're self-employed), and of course the personal return on investment. Additionally, the UHD MBA program asks all applicants to answer the following questions: "Why do you want an MBA degree? How will it advance your career or your goals?" This requires candidates to spend some time in self-reflection and research prior to writing their personal statement. Successful responses that provide specific details are likelier to stand out than vague responses. For more helpful tips regarding the UHD MBA personal statement, you can find on our FAQ page.
Ultimately, pursuing an MBA degree is your decision and no one else's. No MBA can be achieved without hard work and grit, but as graduates forge ahead in their careers, the payoff (such as a promotion or industry pivot) may be precisely the outcome that you are looking for.
The Executive Path is the official blog of the University of Houston-Downtown's MBA Program. For further information on the UHD MBA Program, you may visit https://www.uhd.edu/mba. For the upcoming calendar of virtual Information Session links, check out https://www.uhd.edu/mbarsvp. To reach the UHD MBA Office, email mba@uhd.edu or call 713-221-8252. Thanks for stopping by our blog, and stay tuned for more posts to come!
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