Is Getting an MBA the Right Career Move For You? Here’s What I Learned:

I believe experience is a powerful teacher.?

And when you combine it with formal education, it becomes a catalyst for growth and refined expertise. Which is why, several years ago, I enrolled in an MBA program.?

Leading up to this decision, and like many other people considering an MBA, I had felt stuck in my career and held back by my undergrad degree. I was a Theology & Gender Studies major who found herself in sales—a bit of a leap but I held my own with my colleagues, and I wanted to expand my business acumen and build upon my experience. I just didn’t feel like it equipped me to up-level my career. The uncertainty of where I wanted to go in my career, coupled with my lack of “formal” business education, is what ultimately led me to pursue an MBA and help me navigate the next phase of my journey.?

Determining whether an MBA is the right move for your career can be pivotal. Based on my experience in business and with The University Notre Dame Executive MBA program, here are key factors to consider.

An MBA is not a one-size-fits-all solution.?

Once accepted into The University of Notre Dame’s graduate program, I assumed all my problems would disappear. And while I finally felt like I had a clear vision and path for advancing, I now had the added task of figuring out how to juggle a full-time job and school. This path required extensive financial planning and coordination—it wasn’t an overnight solution. But, I viewed it as a strategic investment for my future, and that is something I think everyone who is considering an MBA should understand. Consider that there will be sacrifices and adjustments long before you see the full benefit of your decision.???

Be sure to bridge the gaps in your business knowledge.?

MBA programs attract a multitude of business professionals and backgrounds. Which is awesome! But, if you’re feeling insecure about not having basic business skills or knowledge down before enrolling in a program, I would recommend looking into a few different programs to determine which one might best fit your needs. Prep courses are also helpful if you’re nervous about what to expect from an MBA program and the GMAT or GRE. Not all MBA programs require these tests for entrance, but I strongly recommend considering them by taking a prep course—it’s a great way to brush up on what you need to focus on for your own business skill set, in and beyond an MBA program.?

In business, no one person can know everything. This is true in your MBA program, too. Where some of your classmates excel in the accounting portions of your course, others will excel in marketing. The program operates similarly to a business, with everyone understanding their strengths and areas of opportunity. The only difference is that there are professors and resources at your fingertips, allowing you to expand upon your knowledge and strength with access to the best tools and build your skill set.?

It’s a nuanced balance—classrooms lay the groundwork, but hands-on experiences create genuine understanding.?

Life still happens.?

I got engaged, married, moved, mortgaged my house, got pregnant, and had a baby all within the 17-month program. Life happens, especially in graduate school! I knew this going in, but it’s always a good reminder to plan for unexpected life events and take them in stride. It will be tough, and sacrifices are made (I did not get to walk in graduation because I was due with Leo), but focus on your “why,” persevere, and ask for help from your teammates—in the program and outside of the program—to help support you through.?

Like most things, getting your MBA is betting on the long game.

Throughout my classes, I could see that the networking, learning, and exposure to new business tactics and strategies were invaluable. My education armed me with diverse skills, broadening my expertise and helping me progress from individual thinking to more leadership-centered thought and strategy. The program equipped me with the tools, and therefore the confidence, to navigate uncharted territories and each part of the program helped me understand what questions to ask and where to seek guidance from your network of peers.?

Your network will expand.

The best part of joining an MBA program is the network of classmates and professors you meet. I am still in touch with many of my classmates, and what is so cool is that we are all down very different paths with our MBA—and yet, we all have great business insight and ideas to share with each other. I have also tapped many of my Notre Dame professors with questions about current things I am facing with Second Front.?

An MBA isn’t a magic wand, but it is a valuable resource to have.

To this day, I still revisit program materials, seeking guidance from classmates, professors and resources. While my MBA didn’t solve every business or leadership challenge, it provided a solid educational base and equipped me with the tools to handle evolving business hurdles in both corporate and startup settings, fostering adaptability with business acumen.

My MBA education offered more than just knowledge—it was an experience of diverse insights, mentorship, and lifelong connections. And if you are considering heading down this path too, and you need some support discerning, please reach out. I am more than happy to help!?