Are you considering studying an MBA but aren’t sure what you will learn? Maybe you aren’t sure if an MBA will provide you with the knowledge and experience you need? Deciding which course to study can be tricky, but it doesn’t need to be!
Today, we are here with a brief guide that will walk you through what you will learn while pursuing an MBA and the skills you will gain, to help you decide if the course is the right step for you to take in your career.
What is an MBA?
An MBA, or master's in business administration, is a postgraduate course that usually lasts two years. The course aims to provide fundamental management knowledge, allowing you to progress into management or leadership roles. An MBA is designed to prepare you for the business world, so you can expect lots of case studies and real-world examples that allow you to put the theory into practice.An MBA is a popular course offered globally, where you will meet other like-minded individuals and expand your network of managers, which can help you find the perfect leadership role later on.
What will I learn on an MBA?
What you learn on an MBA varies, depending on where you choose to study and if you decide to specialize in finance, change management, or any other specialties offered by your course provider. However, most MBAs will include similar modules, providing you with the skills you need to progress as a successful manager or business owner.
You can expect to learn about business policy, ethics, marketing, financial analysis, etc. We have listed the common modules taught on an MBA below for you to see what to expect from your course:
- Art and practice of leadership
- Advanced organizational behavior
- Business analytics and visualization
- Business Consulting
- Business ethics and sustainability
- Financial analysis
- Marketing management
- Managing innovation and entrepreneurship
- Organization change management
- Performance management rewards
- Strategic human resource management
- Strategic management and business policy
The titles of these modules and their contents might vary slightly depending on the course provider you choose. Still, you can expect to see a mixture of these titles on your module list, providing you with an understanding of business theories and how to put them into practice.
What skills will I gain on an MBA?
Alongside the knowledge you gain from an MBA, you will also gain and develop several skills, including communication, risk management, and critical thinking. These skills will help you become a better leader, more confident in your decisions and able to think and react quickly to the rapidly changing business world. Below, we have outlined the skills you can expect to gain from your MBA.
Communication
Good communication is a vital skill to the success of any business. Not only does it allow you to communicate with your employees effectively, but it also ensures that your clients and prospective clients interact positively. Through your MBA, you will learn how to communicate with other employees and clients, both orally and in writing, helping you become an effective leader.
Your communication skills will develop throughout your MBA, especially in these areas:
- Active listening
- Conflict resolution and mediation
- Emotional intelligence
- Negotiating
- Public speaking and presenting
- Written communication
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is one of the most important skills for leaders and managers, allowing you to formulate the best plan that keeps your company competitive. Critical thinking is a skill that is taught and developed in all MBA programs, helping to sharpen your ability to:
- Compare issues and challenges based on facts
- Make reasoned decisions
- Problem solve
- Tackle tricky situations
Risk Management
As a leader or business owner, there will be many challenges throughout your career, and your MBA will teach you how to foresee them and manage these risks before they become an issue for your company. You will learn how to anticipate potential difficulties and how you can minimise the risk involved in your business, allowing you to make calculated decisions that keep things running smoothly.
This vital skill translates into any sector and requires you to be analytic and able to make calculated decisions based on data. You will learn the theory behind this on your MBA and apply it with some case studies and real-world examples.
Networking
Another vital skill you will develop is your ability to network. Networking helps you to build relationships with other leaders in your sector, allowing you to draw on their expertise and even find new positions, developing your career. Networking can seem daunting, especially if you are not an extrovert, but your MBA will provide you with the experience of interacting with a diverse range of people, helping you practice your networking skills.
Final thoughts
An MBA will teach you how to successfully run a business or maintain a leadership position, inspire others, and adapt your business to meet any changes in the market. The skills you develop on an MBA are transferable to practically any leadership role.
