An MBA (Master of Business Administration) is a graduate degree focused on learning business principles and building leadership skills. Having an MBA increases the quantity and quality of job offers and enhances your marketability as a professional. Considering the popularity of this holistic program, you should stand out from the crowd by knowing the skills employers seek. According to the Corporate Recruiters Survey, 92% of corporate recruiters expect to employ newly minted MBAs this year, making the market competitive. Read on to know the skills you need to have to be distinct.
- Efficient Communication Skills
Thanks to the diverse tasks throughout the MBA, a graduate understands more complex business language and how to articulate a problem. For example, Texas A&M online MBA program students practice learning by communicating with a diverse student community, engaging in business expos and more. Some institutions offer a Communications MBA program that combines the MBA curriculum with other sciences such as psychology, marketing, and liberal arts.
By the end of such a program, the student is confident in approaching written and oral communication with ease and professionalism.
- Flexibility and Versatility
During an MBA program, you will master the art of time management by juggling social engagement, professional commitments, and heavy workloads. After one or two intensive years of wearing multiple hats, flexibility and versatility will feel like second nature.
The ability to take on multiple positions and swiftly switch from one role to another will be crucial, even after graduating. Often, you will have to organize various projects at once and remain adaptable when problems arise or plans veer off-course.
- Professional Problem-solving Skills
As an MBA graduate, you’re bound to become a critical thinker with strategic views on business issues. During studies, there are practical examinations where you have to identify a problem, understand the circumstances around the problem, and think holistically and strategically before taking action.
After using this style of analysis for several months while in school, you will likely use this method when working. This will turn you into a valuable team member due to your problem-solving ability in a practical sense.
- Resilience
There are chances that during your MBA, encountered challenges, such as failed projects, collaborations not going through, and not all projects will be high-quality.
Similarly to your MBA, you will face the same hurdles in the corporate world. However, you will make it by being able to bounce back, learn your lesson, and move on. Your progress is only possible through self-awareness and willingness to learn from past mistakes.
- Networking
While studying for your MBA, building a network of peers with the same or higher level of education is advisable. Interactions are made possible through organized events and study groups.
Apart from building social confidence, this untaught skill is instrumental in the corporate world as there is a need to create business connections with people and maintain relationships. In addition, your networking skills prove that your interpersonal skills are equally good, making you a great candidate for working in teams.
- Decision-making
Your MBA will provide you with invaluable prowess in long and short-term decision-making, which requires excellent relational, time management, and organizational skills. By learning how to resolve conflicts, manage operations, and negotiate, you will develop empathy for others and insight into other people’s motivation. This provides you with the ability to make decisions, even under pressure.
Being an efficient decision-maker will make the business more productive as you can determine how to prioritize tasks and allocate resources.
- Technical Skills
Technology has changed how businesses perform their operations. Therefore, an MBA graduate with technical skills will add more value to a corporation. Technology intervention has steered several transformations in the business world.
It’s not an obligation to have advanced technological knowledge, but a mastery of programming languages, data analysis, technical writing, presentation, and design can dramatically enhance your portfolio.
- Entrepreneurial Skills
Strong entrepreneurial skills include:
- Having market knowledge.
- Emerging opportunities.
- Identifying potential risks.
- Being able to take risks.
- Having a creative and innovative approach to business.
These skills will bolster your job performance, making you an asset to the company and equip you with skills to establish your own business.
Bottom Line
An MBA graduate degree is not enough if you lack the skills to go hand in hand with your theoretical knowledge about business administration. An extremely diverse and experienced profile will give you an edge and boost your career to greater heights.