There are positives and negatives to getting work experience before pursuing an MBA

Before getting into the pros and cons, let’s make sure that we understand why MBAs are important. A master’s in business administration is a degree that teaches students both theoretical and practical knowledge about various facets of business operations, including economics, account management, finance, and so on. A lot of this knowledge can arguably be gained by work experience, and so one has to wonder if they put themselves at a disadvantage by opting to give their CAT exams directly after finishing their undergraduate degree.

Benefits of an MBA

When you’re able to secure a job without the advanced degree itself, you might be wondering what can you do with an MBA that makes it worth the extra effort. The key idea here is upwards mobility. Those people who secure an MBA degree are able to climb the corporate ladder to higher management positions and argue for a higher salary. The professional education shows your qualifications to any employer quickly and gives you the negotiating position needed to secure higher-ranking jobs. Without the degree, you might find yourself stagnating after one or two promotions at the most.

The Downsides of No Work Experience

Common wisdom states that one should get the degree after having some work experience under their belt, and there are a few good reasons for that.

Work-Study Gap

Someone who has not gained any real work experience would be attempting to bridge the gap between the course load and real experience. This would leave you in a position where you depend on your classmates and teachers more, and could negatively affect your final grade. While there are degree programs specially designed for fresh graduate, the gap in knowledge can be a hindrance.

Financial Insecurity

If you start a new degree without having worked for a few years, you are unlikely to have any savings to pay for the program. This can create an issue when you’re supporting yourself and possibly your family as well. A lot of the people that get an MBA without work experience have to work while studying.

Few Opportunities

The salary after an MBA can vary from $80-150,000 per annum, depending on which field of work one goes into. However, those who obtain an MBA without work experience have reduced their chances of landing the job in the first place. The business world is highly competitive, and those with relevant work experience are more attractive prospects to hiring managers. Similarly, even when you’re applying for the degree itself, if someone has the same academic qualifications as you but more work experience, they are more likely to be admitted.

The Upsides of No Work Experience

Of course, getting an MBA without work experience does come with its own set of benefits. These positives might manifest themselves down the line instead of immediately, but the advantages can be a good enough reason to pursue the program without experience.

Jump-Starting Your Career

While you might not have the immediate work experience, the degree itself helps ensure that your job prospects are for much better positions and with better pay than those who started working right after doing a BBA. This means that a couple of years down the line, you’d likely be in a better job and earning position than your peers were at the same age.

Networking Early

A lot of success in business — whether you’re working for another company or starting your own — comes down to the connections you’ve made. One of the main benefits of taking the time to pursue higher education is the chance to build a network with your colleagues. The relationships you make with your fellow students, your professors, and any guest lecturers can have a significantly positive effect on your business prospects. In short, knowing the right people makes all the difference, and being a student is the best time to get to know these people.

Retaining the Student Mindset

It can be quite difficult for people to return to student life after having worked for a few years. The ability to focus on books and aim for academic achievements instead of monetary awards can be a serious adjustment, and those who go into the degree program without taking a few years off work can adapt to the circumstances much faster.