In a day and age where technology is increasingly changing the world in which we live, MBAs are becoming a useful tool and leverage point for professionals from all walks of life. Whether you are in the hunt to make a career change, switch to an entirely new industry, or just hope to jump up the corporate ladder, the lure of getting an MBA online is more and more difficult to resist. The convenience and added allure of being able to work full-time (and therefore avoiding increased financial loss) are making the journey even easier for modern students. No longer do you have to uproot your family and halt your career; simply hop online in the evenings and on the weekends, and you’re that much closer to making it big.
When MBAs first became the new big trend for business men and women, it was a fairly common occurrence for people to quit their jobs, or take temporary leave, as they enrolled in a two-year course of study. It’s a tough call to make, giving up an income and stability for the mere promise of more. But the big bonus of obtaining an MBA online, which have grown greatly in scope and quality, is that the work/study balance is much more achievable. These days, you can work whatever hours necessary at your day (or night) job, and apply your free time to your studies. Online programs can allow you to take as few or as many courses as you’d like.
Over time, online MBA programs have slowly evolved into a competitor worthy of in-person programs. Although there are always some benefits from classroom-based MBA programs that online programs will not be able to overcome, the quality of education improved and the backing institutions have greatly changed in scope. Gone are the days that online MBAs seemed unaccredited or unreliable; big-name business schools like UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School have entered the mix. Aspiring MBAs no longer have to choose between convenience and prestige; it’s now possible to have both with an MBA online.
Another benefit of the online MBA? Employers are beginning to embrace - and respect - online MBA programs. It seems counterintuitive on some levels, considering that earning an MBA online is still relatively uncharted territory. Great degree programs offered by top schools carry a certain level of prestige, which has carried over into graduates of online programs. Big-name corporations are recruiting students from both brick and mortar and internet-based institutions, and this trend is likely to grow over time.
For the busy working professional, an online MBA is a great way to expand your horizons, while maintaining the life and environment that you enjoy. Rather than introducing great changes into your life, joining a reputable program and focusing on achieving your post-graduate goals can deliver great results - just as if you were joining a traditional full- or part-time program.
By Donna Lin
