Break into Management with an MBA
Many of the best managers in the world share a single attribute – they have an MBA (Master of Business Administration), the ultimate achievement in business degrees. There is an incredible variety of business degrees available, ranging from generic ones like Batchelor of Business Administration (BBA) or specialist degrees in areas like Human Resources or Marketing. Most of these are undergraduate degrees which have little or no Management content.
Most people who work in business start off in a functional area such as Finance or Human Resources and are later promoted to a management position with little knowledge of what’s really involved. At this point they often decide to enrol for an MBA course in order to improve their management skills. However MBAs can also be useful to recent graduates and can reduce the time it takes them to achieve a management post.
MBAs first appeared in the United States in the late 1800s and for many years they were an exclusively American qualification. The first European MBAs appeared in the 1940s and the number of courses in Europe, particularly in Britain, has grown ever since. Many people perceive a European MBA as being superior to an American one, as they are often more academically rigorous and generally incorporate a substantial thesis. European MBAs are highly attractive to overseas students as they allow them to live and work in a European city before returning to their own country with a valuable qualification and the practical skills needed to take part in business ventures with European partners.
MBAs are generally offered in a variety of modes, including full-time, part time and distance learning. Distance learning courses were initially paper-based but nowadays they are increasingly delivered online. Courses are available in numerous different locations, but many students like to study in a major European capital like Paris or London. London is often seen as a particularly attractive destination, since it permits students to improve their English while studying for their degree.
An MBA programme usually covers a range of areas, including Human Resource Management, Financial Management, Business Law, Marketing Management and Project Management. Some courses are general in nature, while others allow students to specialise in areas such as Finance, Branding or Marketing. Entrepreneurship is a popular option as it is of great interest to students who wish to start their own business.
The thesis is an important element of an MBA as it allows students to gain expert knowledge and experience of a particular business area and to establish contacts who will be useful in their future business career. Most theses are research-based, so MBA programmes generally include courses in qualitative and quantitative research methods to prepare students for carrying out their research.
Anyone who has just been promoted to a management position, or anyone considering a career in business should give serious consideration to doing an MBA to improve their management skills and to show their determination to build a successful career.
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