How to Inform Employers About MBA Plans
Now that MBA acceptances are coming in, you’re likely shifting your focus to the next big step: transitioning from your full-time job to business school. But before you can fully embrace this new chapter, there’s an essential conversation to navigate: how to inform employers about MBA plans. This discussion requires careful consideration to ensure you maintain the professional relationships you’ve built and leave on a positive note.
Key Steps to Inform Employers About MBA Plans
- Choose the right time to share the news. If your manager was involved in your application process, they may already have an idea. If not, ensure your timing allows for a smooth transition.
- Express appreciation and outline your reasoning. Let your employer know how much you’ve valued your time at the company. Then, explain how the MBA aligns with your long-term goals.
- Offer a transition plan. Demonstrate professionalism by proposing solutions for handing off your responsibilities and ensuring minimal disruption.
- Stay professional, regardless of their reaction. Whether your employer is supportive or disappointed, maintaining composure and gratitude will leave a positive impression.
Timing and Strategy: Setting the Stage for a Smooth Transition
The right moment for how to inform employers about MBA plans depends on several factors. If your manager played a role in your application process—perhaps by writing a recommendation letter—then your departure won’t come as a surprise. However, if your decision has been private until now, be mindful of how and when you break the news.
Think about the logistics of your departure. Is your role specialized or complicated to replace? If so, giving your company plenty of time to adjust will reflect well on you. Additionally, consider your long-term relationship with the organization. Are you planning to return post-MBA?
In that case, positioning your decision as an investment in both your personal growth and your ability to contribute in the future can keep doors open. If you’re leaving for good, a respectful and professional approach will ensure you maintain valuable connections.
For those who plan to keep working while in school, the conversation takes on an additional layer of complexity. Use this opportunity to frame your part-time or evening MBA as an asset to the company. Highlight ways your coursework will enhance your skills and benefit your employer, making it a win-win situation.
Framing the Conversation with Your Employer
When the time comes to inform your boss, approach the discussion with confidence and clarity. Begin by expressing gratitude for the opportunities and mentorship you’ve received. A statement such as, “I’ve truly valued my time at [Company] and the professional growth I’ve experienced here,” sets a positive and appreciative tone.
Next, introduce your decision with purpose. Instead of merely saying that you’ve been admitted to business school, explain why this step aligns with your career goals. For instance, saying, “After much consideration, I’ve decided to pursue an MBA at [School] to further develop my leadership and strategic skills,” conveys intention and foresight.
It’s also crucial to address the transition plan. If you’re leaving the company, assure your employer that you’re committed to making the process as smooth as possible. Offering to assist in training your replacement or wrapping up key projects demonstrates professionalism and respect for your team. If you continue to work, proactively discussing how you’ll balance your responsibilities can reassure your manager that your performance won’t suffer.
Navigating Reactions—Both Positive and Negative
Not every employer will react the same way to your news. In the best-case scenario, your manager will be supportive, offer encouragement, and perhaps even connect you with alums from your MBA program. If this is the case, take the opportunity to ask for guidance on managing your transition and keeping a strong relationship with the company.
However, some employers may respond with disappointment or frustration—especially if your departure impacts key projects or operations. In these situations, remain professional and composed. If your manager tries to convince you to stay, reaffirm your decision. You can say, “I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I truly believe this is the best step for my career.”
If they express concerns about timing, reassure them, “I understand this transition requires planning, which is why I wanted to give as much notice as possible and help with the process.”
In rare cases, you may anticipate a negative reaction to the point where you fear retaliation. If you work in a toxic environment, it may be best to limit your discussion, provide the minimum notice required, and focus on making a professional exit.
Making a Graceful Exit
Regardless of your circumstances, your final steps should reflect professionalism and thoughtfulness. Submitting a formal resignation letter, even after an in-person conversation, ensures there is no ambiguity about your last day. Your team and leadership will appreciate your taking the time to transition responsibilities smoothly—whether by training a successor or documenting your key tasks.
Above all, keep relationships intact. Staying on good terms with former colleagues and managers can pay dividends in the future. Business school is the beginning of a lifelong professional journey; you never know when past connections might resurface unexpectedly.
Handling this transition with care can set the stage for continued success—both in business school and beyond.
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If you’ve already been admitted to your dream MBA program and need guidance for financial aid applications as a US or international candidate, we are here to help with SBC’s Financial Aid Advisory service. Please email info@stacyblackman.com to learn more.
Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.
Ashley
Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...
×Pauline
A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...
×Laura
Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...
×Andrea
Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...
×Jennifer
Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...
×Erin K.
Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...
×Susie
Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...
×Dione
Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...
×Anthony
Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ...
×Meghan
Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ...
×Amy
Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ...
×Ally
Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ...
×Erin B.
Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ...
×Emma
Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. ×
Kate
Kate served in the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School for over five years. In her capacity as an Associate Director, Kate advised applicants daily and reviewed hundreds of applications per cycle. She was also an applicant interviewer, a liaison to other offices within the School, and a CBS representative at events around the world. Kate managed several recruiting and operational projects for the Admissions Committee. After Columbia Business School, Kate transitioned into cam ...
×Holly
Holly worked as a member of the NYU Stern MBA Admissions team for seven years and holds an MBA from NYU Stern. In her tenure as Director of NYU MBA Admissions, Holly worked closely with admissions teams from Columbia, Michigan Ross, UVA Darden, Cornell Johnson, Berkeley Haas, Yale SOM, and Duke Fuqua on recruiting events domestically and internationally. On the NYU Stern admissions committee, Holly conducted interviews, planned and hosted events, and trained staff on reading and interviewi ...
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