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Earning an MBA can be one of the best things you can do for your career, as it can open a variety of employment opportunities and prepare you to venture out on your own with entrepreneurial endeavors. But you will want to take key MBA preparation steps to ensure that your time in a program will go smoothly and successfully. Read on for some great insights and tips.

The Value of an MBA

An MBA, or a Master of Business Administration, is a graduate degree that gives students an advanced knowledge of business practices, delivering the leadership and technical skills that are essential for the effective management of a company.

Covering topics like finance, marketing, accounting, management, and more, MBAs delve into key areas of the business world, and many programs, like the one at žžÀ² State, offer specialized concentrations in areas such as business analytics, healthcare administration, organizational leadership, and more.

Students can also benefit from either in-person or online program options, allowing them to tailor their education to the needs of their circumstances. Some students like being on a bustling campus and having access to a school’s amenities, while others cherish the convenience and simplicity an online education provides.

Preparing for an MBA: Work Experience and Networking

People considering an MBA often wonder if work experience is a necessity, or how much of it they should have. In short, work experience is not a requirement for being accepted into an MBA program, but it is beneficial.

Students who have acquired work experience prior to their MBA education tend to get more out of their time in a program because their experience has given them a solid framework and context for using the concepts they are learning. Many full-time students in MBA programs have at least two years of work experience, while part-time students often have four or more years of work experience.

Networking

Another major consideration for MBA candidates is the role of networking. You will want to be sure to foster relationships you have formed in your undergraduate education and in professional roles you have held, as these relationships can open doors and make your time during an MBA more productive and rewarding. Forming new relationships during the course of your MBA program is vital as well. Try to keep in contact with:

• Current and former professors
• Business connections
• Employers
• Coworkers
• Undergraduate and MBA classmates
• University alumni
• Visiting speakers

Any of these connections could lead to diverse opportunities and future professional roles, and many MBA graduates often state that their professional network is just as vital as the knowledge and skills they gained within a program.

MBA Preparation: Application Materials

To begin your MBA journey, you will first need to compile materials that the program requires, and you will want to ensure that these materials are well thought out, professional, and thorough. Some of the materials you may need to compile include:

• An MBA application and transcripts – Be sure to fill out all necessary areas and contact your school if you have questions about or problems with any specific portion of an application. You will also want to secure any official transcripts you possess.
• A personal statement – Creating an engaging personal statement can be a key component of your total MBA packet, as such a statement gives you the opportunity to highlight your professional goals, display your individual values, and provide insights into a worldview that has been shaped by your personal and professional experiences.
• Letters of recommendation – When you select recommenders, you will want to prioritize people who know you well and can speak to both your personal and professional qualities. A thoughtful and insightful letter will position you much better than a generic one.
• A résumé – While your personal statement will give a clear overview of your professional and personal outlook, your résumé will help you to sell yourself in a more formalized way. Be sure to review diverse résumé options to find the one that best fits your circumstances and experience, and do not be shy about getting feedback from peers and professors.
• English language proficiency scores – International students often need to provide evidence of English language proficiency when entering an MBA program, so if you fall in this category you will need to be prepared. žžÀ² State, for instance, requires minimum scores of 79 for the TOEFL iBT, 6.5 for the IELTS, 58 for the PTE, and 110 for the DET.

Other Ways to Prepare for Your MBA

There are a range of other tactics you can use to prepare for your MBA program, and we recommend the following approaches:

• Study – While your program will be exposing you to plenty of educational materials, taking initiative on your own leading up to joining a program, and, of course, after you have completed one, will do great things for your development. Books about business, management, and leadership can all be worthwhile, as well as certain histories and biographies. Some good starting points include The Innovator’s Dilemma, The Lean Startup, How to Win Friends and Influence People, and Moneyball.
• Reach out to students and alumni – The people with some of the best insights about a program are those who are either currently taking part in it or who have graduated and gone on to successful roles. Be sure to reach out to any connections you currently have, or talk with the school’s admissions team for a list of students, past and current, you can talk to. 
• Outline your personal and professional goals – Another essential MBA preparation tactic is to determine what you want to get out of the program. Research your desired industry and positions to determine where you might have gaps in your knowledge and skills so you can shore up any areas and thrive in your career following graduation.

Advance Your Career with an MBA from žžÀ² State

Now that you know how to prepare for your MBA at žžÀ² State, you can start taking steps to secure your future. Be sure to request information from our team about our MBA program or apply today if you are ready to get started. We look forward to hearing from you.