Qualifications allow employers to benchmark your ability to absorb and apply knowledge. The benefits of an MBA to an employer are immense and shouldn’t be underestimated. This prestigious qualification is highly valued by top employers.
An MBA demonstrates to employers not just what you have learned and mastered but how you tackle challenges, interact with those around you, and receive, process and interpret information. It also demonstrates your ability to adapt to new situations and to apply the knowledge you've gained in the real world.
An MBA is a fantastic indicator of all these components, but what exactly is an MBA? And will it give you a better chance of landing that dream job?
The MBA explained
An MBA or Master of Business Administration is a graduate degree that gives you theoretical and practical business administration skills. It covers a broad range of leadership topics, from accounting and human resources to business law, ethics, strategic management and international business.
Whether you’re looking to go into marketing, supply-chain management or see yourself as one of the next generation of business entrepreneurs, an MBA covers almost every topic related to business administration. You can go straight from your degree studies and into a postgraduate MBA course, but an alternative course is to study for an MBA while working. The flexibility of an MBA means that you can study without impacting your ability to fulfil your work commitments.
Continual assessment provides you with ‘real-world’ opportunities to apply your training and knowledge that take you beyond the classroom. This is why employers encourage employees to build their skill set by studying for an MBA whilst working in their current position.
Why employers like MBAs
There are a variety of reasons why employers are particularly keen on MBAs:
- Increased value to the business – An employee who actively pursues an MBA is bringing a lot to the table. By taking on the challenges of an MBA, an employee is showing their loyalty to the business and offering value on a long-term basis. An MBA isn’t something you do on a whim – it demonstrates real commitment, dedication, and a willingness to go that one step further. These are all qualities that employers appreciate.
- Developing leadership skills – While a qualification cannot give you instant leadership skills, it gives you the framework upon which to build. An employer will recognise that committing to an MBA course indicates that you are keen to take on a more challenging role and have the core skills to hone your leadership abilities. From decision-making to goal-setting, your MBA shows an employer that you are willing to take on the role of a leader rather than being content to be 'just another employee'.
- A ‘Big Picture’ perspective – An MBA teaches you to look at a business not just on the micro but on the macro level. By understanding all the challenges each part of the business faces, your decision-making process becomes more inclusive.
- No impact on your working hours – MBAs are flexible and can be studied outside your usual working hours. You are expanding your skill set without any detrimental effect on the day-to-day running of your employer’s business operations.
- Best-Practice and CPD – An MBA gives the student the latest in best-practice business techniques within a continual personal development framework. The net result for the employer is a better-qualified work colleague with both leadership skills and a more in-depth understanding of the most modern business practices.
Put simply, an employee that undertakes an MBA becomes a highly valued asset to the business. And assets are what employers want most – individuals with drive, determination and ambition willing to develop their business skills to a much higher level by undertaking a recognised and universally respected qualification.
What are the differences between an MBA and an MS?
An MBA focuses on business skills and is a wide-ranging postgraduate course covering various topics. An MS is a longer, full-time course open to students who have previously studied a science, medicine or engineering course at the graduate level. For more information on the differences between the two courses, check out our blog ‘What is the difference between an MS and an MBA degree?’.
The benefits of getting an MBA from ADU
The one-year MBA course offered by ADU is a postgraduate course requiring a total of 30 Credit hours. The course can be taken as a full or part-time schedule, and classes are held in the evenings and at weekends to avoid interfering with your regular work commitments. Intake is year-round, so you don't have to wait to apply until the start of the academic year.
Talk to your employer about sponsorship
Employers can be open to the idea of sponsoring an employee who wishes to take their postgraduate studies to the next level. If you are concerned about the cost of an MBA, it may be worth talking to your employer to see if they are willing to sponsor you.
They may ask for a guaranteed long-term commitment in return. No employer will be happy about sponsoring an employee only to see their asset leave the company as soon as they are qualified. The benefits of an MBA to an employer are well worth investing in, so you may find that they are open to the idea of sponsorship.
The benefits of an MBA – driving business forward
MBAs are designed to fine-tune your skills, mindset, and ability to apply new ideas within a business environment. They'll hone your leadership potential, give you a better grasp of the bigger picture within an organisation, and help you fulfil your potential. With all those positive connotations, it's clear why employers value MBA qualifications so highly.
Are you ready to drive your career forward? Find out more about our MBA qualifications today.