The Value of a Part-Time MBA

Do you know which path to take next in your career? Chances are that if you’re reading this, you have considered furthering your schooling with a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Whether you are like the many folks who do not know where their occupation is headed, you are a current student working on your MBA, or a seasoned professional who wants to get to the next level by earning the MBA credential, this guide will help you to see the advantages of pursuing a part-time MBA.
There is a market for part-timers and research shows that part-time MBAs have seen an increase in interest as many people are unwilling to leave their secure employment at the time as pursue a MBA. Therefore, many of the best business schools offer quality part-time MBA courses with the same faculty, as the full-time MBA students.
Some people think that doing a part-time MBA is not worth it. Many invest thousands of dollars within the course of three to four years with fear that they will remain in their same old jobs. However, research on MBA salaries show that it will pay off. Data collected for a study published in the Journal of Education for Business found that part-time MBA graduates achieved a median pay raise of 41% post-MBA. By their fifth year post MBA, their salaries had gone up another 56%
The same study, also reported that part-time Executive MBA students (who are older and have higher pre-MBA salaries) reported a median pay increase at graduation of 29% and a 43% gain after five years.
Another study done by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) reported that there was a 37% salary gain by graduates and Executive MBAs earned 17% more upon graduation. These studies, clearly show that pursuing a part-time MBA will benefit those who hold the credential in the long run.
A Part-time MBA enables you to visualize and experiment in the present job you are in because you are able to gain more knowledge, visualize, and experiment with the theoretical concepts that are learned at school. You will get to know the challenges that your manager faces and how corporate decisions are made. Such concepts will help you make better decisions in the workplace and will help you grow as an individual.
A part-time MBA will help you climb the ladder in your current organization faster because the relevant knowledge and skills learned during your part-time MBA, can be applied at your current workplace and enabling you to rise through the ranks. Many have been able to attain managerial positions after they started pursuing a part-time MBA, which often comes with a higher salary.
You will gain great networking resources and develop important relationships that can really push your career by getting a chance to interact in a relevant manner with colleagues, professors, and teaching staff. Part-time MBA students also get a good chance to meet potential employers through internships. Pursuing an MBA part-time is well worth it, as the benefits greatly outweigh one’s effort.