Do you plan on honing your business skills by getting an MBA? Do you want to step up in the career ladder and ensure a higher and more financially secure position for yourself? Many professionals seek out an MBA to further their career goals or to jumpstart their own business. If you’re planning on getting an MBA or have already enrolled in an MBA program, this guide is designed to help you begin your MBA education the right way.

Some misconceptions about getting an MBA

There have been some popular misconceptions associated in getting an MBA degree. These false ideas about MBA school and getting an MBA education can quickly turn into frustration for some MBA students, especially for those who are still starting out in the program. It is important for you to discover what these misconceptions are, while you’re still in the early stages of your business program. Here are some of the more popular media misconceptions about getting an MBA:

– Any MBA school will do.

– An MBA degree is a good move for everyone.

– You have to give up your job to pursue an MBA.

– An MBA will automatically ensure you a management position in your company.

The real score

If you think that getting an MBA degree from any business school will do, think again. Not all business schools offer the same quality of MBA education and if you’re really serious about getting a graduate-level business degree both for your personal and professional goals, you will have to take time to review the schools available to you and to make a smart choice. Going to back to school again to get your MBA degree can be expensive, and some people make the mistake of leaving their current jobs in order to focus on their studies full-time. Some people however have successfully finished their MBA studies while balancing full-time work.

Moreover, an MBA is not for everyone. If you plan on getting an MBA for the sole purpose of getting a promotion at work, then you are in the program for the wrong reason. An MBA can help you step up the career ladder, but this degree alone will not guarantee any top position for you. You will still need to build up on your job experience, sine an MBA is not meant as a substitute for experience in the real corporate world. Getting an MBA will definitely add to your credentials, but this alone will not ensure a top management job position for you within your company.

Reasonable MBA expectations

For many of you, MBA school will be expensive, especially if you plan on getting a good program from a reputable school. Since getting an MBA is essentially an act of furthering your education, you also need to commit to your studies, be prepared to do research, and to choose the right business courses. Networking and establishing valuable connections is also an important factor in securing your MBA. As long as you have the right expectations and the right motivations in taking up this graduate course, your stay in MBA school will be gratifying at the very least.

How to prepare

There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself during the first year of your MBA program. Here are some of the preparations you can do:

– Plan in advance. As much as possible, start planning on your MBA program as early as one year prior to your enrollment. This will allow you to get a good headstart on the program you have chosen to take.

– Outline a schedule for your studies, for reading and analyzing cases, as well as for research. Your academics can easily eat up a lot of your time, so a detailed schedule will be most helpful.

– Sharpen your quantitative skills. Consider taking diagnostic tests if you don’t feel like you’re sure about your aptitude in math. Many incoming MBA students feel that their quantitative skills need some improvement prior to entering business school. If you are one of these students, don’t hesitate to get some math review courses before your first year in MBA school.

– Know the advantage of clubs and groups. Networking is a huge word in graduate school, and business school is not any different. Whether or not you’ve been joining groups and clubs while in college, participating in clubs and groups in business school is highly recommended. This is especially helpful if you are currently on a job search or if you plan on shifting to another industry once you’ve already completed your graduate-level studies.

– Learn how to make full use of on-campus resources, such as library materials, seminars and lectures, and even people who can be of tremendous help to you once you graduate. These will include your classmates, professors, guest lecturers, and business school alumni.

What the rest of your years in school will bring

During your second year in business school, you are expected to further your experience and expand your knowledge in a specialized area in business through various electives and seminars. Different electives will be offered to you, and in some business schools you will be allowed to take up to 18 electives, so you can gain a solid footing on general management and strengthen your knowledge on the various areas of business. Students will also be required to attend seminars during the rest of the years in business school, and these will provide valuable opportunities for networking. Between your first and second year in business school, you are also expected to start looking for summer internship opportunities.

While an MBA degree can help you secure a top management position in your chosen career in the future, it is not meant to be a substitute for real-world experience. There are a few things you can do to ensure that you make the most out of your stay in business school, especially during your first year. With enough preparation and with the right attitude, getting what you want out of your MBA education is always possible.

Photo Credits: OpenSource.com, Mark Hillary, Mark Hillary