Defining Your MBA Career Goals
If you’re applying to business school in the fall, you know it’s time to get serious about defining your career goals. For most applicants, career exploration is the impetus for considering an MBA. Before you get started on your applications, you’ll need to evaluate your MBA career goals for realism and passion.
I have no idea what I want to do.
Many applicants want to go for an MBA but have no clue what specific career will be interesting afterward. While an MBA program will expand your horizons and open doors you never considered, having a formulated goal is integral to success. Therefore, it’s worth taking the time now to do a bit of soul searching. Think about:
- Extracurriculars you have been involved with over time – Is there a theme? Do you have a passion for sports or music that you would like to incorporate into a career?
- Best moments in your job – What has been most exciting in your current career? Are you excited about every consumer products company you have consulted for in your management consulting job? Do you enjoy discussing the quarterly results with the finance team? What functions seem most appealing to you?
- Personal goals – Are you interested in work/life balance? Helping others? Becoming a leader within an industry or company?
Passion for your career choice will come through as you tell your story in the essays, discussions with recommenders, and interviews. That’s why it’s worth articulating your dreams to yourself in advance.
Are my MBA career goals realistic?
Along with passion, realism is an essential aspect of your MBA career goals. Consider the application process from the school’s perspective: MBA programs want to launch productive graduates who are successful in their careers and will contribute to the community. When evaluating career goals, ask yourself:
- Is this an industry that typically hires MBAs? Specific industries are clear feeders for MBA programs, while other industries may require more research. Many MBA programs list typical companies that recruit at the school. So it’s worth investigating the industries that seem to value an MBA.
- Does my career goal require an MBA? Even within non-traditional industries, an MBA may be valuable in certain functions. A film director may not benefit from an MBA. But, the finance director at the studio may require formal business training.
- Is the level I am seeking in my short-term goal realistic? Investigate the typical post-MBA title for your chosen industry and function to make sure you understand the specific career path. If you have significantly more work experience than your classmates, you may be qualified for a step up. However, typically companies recruit for standard new-MBA positions.
Once you’ve decided on your career goals, know that you’ve made a significant first step in your application journey. Next, spend some serious time reflecting on how you can connect your career goals with your background and accomplishments. That way, you’ll create a cohesive story that will intrigue the admissions committee and—fingers crossed—trigger a coveted interview invitation. Good luck!