Mba_Argument_Paper

Is an MBA Still Relevant' MGT/521 09/02/2010 Maira Simington, PhD Is an MBA Still Relevant' In the last few years we have seen our economy collapse with failures in the banking sector, automobile sector, housing sector, and many businesses have laid-off employees or closed their doors completely. Many companies have downsized their management including mid-level and high-level positions even those with “graduate degrees were not in as much demand” (Benedict, 10/2/2006). This downsizing has not just affected companies, but families as well. People are not spending money on the luxuries they once did such as vacations, TV’s, computers, cars, and education. With the economy remaining unstable many have chosen to forgo school and the expenses that come with the education process until the economy gets better (Lagace, 5/3/2010). While spending a large amount of money in this current recession may not seem like a good idea; many have decided that pursuing a MBA degree is not a luxury but an essential part of the career path and a needed requirement for management. With the changing face of business today it has become imperative to continue to strive for higher education. Those management positions of the past just requiring a bachelor’s degree now are requiring a MBA to even be considered and will have to do more with less. It is for these reasons that I chose to pursue my MBA degree as I found having experience and a Bachelor’s degree is not enough in the business environment today. This economy in its current state has done much to change the way businesses is done. Do more with less is the motto, and companies are proving this to be true with less employees and growing profits. Companies have trimmed the fat and reduced their management staff and duplicative processes. There are a lot of well-educated people out of work with unemployment at all-time highs with no end in sight. Many would argue that spending money on going back to school for an MBA instead of putting it in savings is wasteful as it will take 5-10 years for the economy and businesses to recover. The truth is an MBA degree is even more useful now as companies are “looking for those individuals who stand out and have committed to furthering their education and keeping pace with how to be better managers” (eduers.com, 2009). I have chosen to go back for my MBA now because I do not want to be left behind when the economy does turn around and hiring resumes at companies. It will be those with the higher education and a handle on the new business practices that will get the jobs. With an MBA degree you learn leadership skills and are prepared for manager level positions in the corporate world. It is not just the experience that you can bring to a job that an employer is looking for now, but also solid leaderships skills and a fresh management style that can be achieved with an MBA degree. I have chosen to pursue my MBA for several reasons not the least is to further my career. I am in operations management and have spent the last two years applying for upper management positions across the country only to find out that they want me to have my Master’s degree even though I have twenty years of experience in my field. I have seen an increase in open positions on the recruiting site theladders.com web site, which is for nothing but $100,000 and up positions. I have been getting fewer calls for interviews as companies are changing their education requirements for management positions. They are requiring a MBA degree because they want their candidate’s to have the management skills that can be acquired by having a graduate degree. I chose energy management for my concentration primarily because my field is very competitive and there is a need for those with an energy management education. Those that have the education and the experience will get the limited jobs there are for this field. With my experience I have found that I have a good head for business and have done well as a leader in my company. I tend to be decisive as a manager but realistic with a willingness to teach others and help them to grow as employees. I have proven myself to be credible and reliable and others in the company have seen me as a leader and a team player that works with others to get the job done. With the management and leadership skills I will learn during my MBA degree I feel that I can be a better, more well-rounded manager for the company and the people who work with me. I have been told in my recent 360 degree review that without my Master’s degree I have risen as high as I can go in the company. This degree is now something I have to achieve if I want to see the continued career growth I have had over the last ten years. In the pursuit of my MBA degree I looked at several different factors that were deciding factors for me to go back to school. First, will I achieve what is needed to further my career' It is a known fact that in order to become “successful in the business world good leadership skills will be critical” (Kapoor, 7/1/2009). That has shown itself to be true in the company I work for as managers who do not have good leadership skills do not last long. Secondly, I want to increase my salary and title from where I am in middle management to an upper-management position. Operations management and energy management go hand-in-hand and have proven to be a growing and competitive field. With companies wanting to go green and save on the bottom line well skilled and educated managers in energy management will go a long way, and get paid top dollar. Lastly, it would allow me to be competitive as the numbers of qualified people grow in this field it will be those with the experience and the education to back it up that will get the jobs. I still believe it is relevant to say that an MBA degree will give you an edge over others in the job search as I have found this to be true first hand in my job search. It is very difficult to compete in this existing job market without meeting all of the requirements to include a graduate degree as more employers now prefer that level of education. In conclusion, it is fair to say the economy and job markets are not going to get any better any time soon and may even get tougher. Unemployment is at all-time highs, but so is the number of adults going back for additional education in this down economy. By earning my MBA I do not get a “magic bullet” that will bring me fame and fortune, but I do get the skills in leadership, management, and business that employers are not just looking for but are now requiring of their managers. As I have continued with my education my career has risen and getting my MBA will only benefit me in the ever changing world of business today. References Benedict, A. (10/26/2006). Resume Value of an M.B.A.. Retrieved from http://ops.theladders.com/career-advice/resume-value-mba'fromSearch=true&start=&contentSearchKeyword Kapoor, K. (7/1/2009). Five Reasons Why You Should Pursue an MBA. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com Lagace, M. (5/3/2010). What is the Future of MBA Education' Retrieved from http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6363.html eduers.com. (2009). Why Pursue an MBA' Top 10 Reasons to Do MBA. Retrieved from http://eduers.com A