本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛A good self-assessment process will help
you establish specific career and educational
goals that utilize your strengths
and address weaknesses. Lacking specific
goals, you will be searching for a school
without direction. How will you eliminate
options, much less make a choice you will
be happy with in the end? How will you
determine whether the MBA experience
was a good value? Whenever you are
considering major changes in your life,
self-assessment can help you clarify your
goals and make wise decisions.

Develop clear answers to the following
questions:
• Why do you want or need an MBA?
• Do you have evidence from people in
your chosen field that the MBA is a
logical next step for you?
• Do you have natural aptitudes that
others notice? Do those skills lend
• Do you feel strongly about some function
and/or industry within business?
• Do you need any additional resources
(training, financial, personal, or professional)
to achieve your long-term plans?
• Are you ready to be a student again? Do
you have the discipline and drive?
• How will you fund your MBA education?
• If you do not pursue an MBA, what are
your options?更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net

本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛REWARDS OF GOOD PLANNING,
S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T A N D D I R E C T I O N :

• Identifying b-schools that correspond to your
interests and aptitudes especially in curriculum,
placement, and reputation.
• Establishing a clear direction on which courses to
take, which faculty relationships to cultivate, which
companies or industries to research and track, and
where you need to network. Moreover, because you
can identify the critical elective courses early, you can
acquire the appropriate knowledge to showcase technical
skills required for specific job interviews.
• Developing rewarding relationships with classmates
who share your interests.
• Achieving a significant return on your investment of
time and money in an MBA education.



RISKS OF INADEQUAT E P L A N N I N G ,
S E L F - A S S E S S M E N T A N D D I R E C T I O N :

• Enrolling in one b-school only to realize that
another school would have better suited your
objectives both academically and professionally.
(Note: Most b-schools do not readily accept transfer
candidates, much less course work.)
• Remaining undecided when you must choose your
concentration of study and register for elective
courses. (See Aligning MBA Functional Specialties
with Career Paths, page 8.)
• Deciding on your career goals too late—resulting in
missed MBA job opportunities.
• Failing to develop a network of professionals in your
chosen field.
•Wasting valuable time and money in the hopes of
figuring out what you want to do.





Yes, MBAs earn big money, but…

MBAs are prepared to be
accountable for employees,
budgets, deadlines, and other
major responsibilities. Are you?

Higher incomes carry with them
greater risks associated with
increased responsibilities. MBAs
know that their jobs are on the line.

Employers expect MBAs to
produce stellar work and maintain
demanding hours.
Most MBAs accept all of the above
demands because they are truly
interested in their fields. Pursue
your business interests first, and
the money should follow.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net

Perhaps the best way you can prepare
yourself for potential careers is to talk to
people who are doing the type of work
you might want to pursue. This process
is called “informational interviewing.”

The value of informational interviewing
is that you are not under any pressure
to sell yourself as you would be in a job
interview. You are simply using the meeting
as an opportunity to get advice and
information on possible career paths.
Professionals, who may be less willing to
talk to you as a job applicant, will often
take the time to share their experiences
and offer advice as you move through the
b-school process.

As you near MBA graduation, individuals
in your network should know you
well and may assist in your job search.
In the early stages of networking, you
should cultivate at least one mentor.
At this stage, it is not necessary for you
to know the job you want with 100%
certainty, but you must at least have some
direction. If not, you are not ready for
business school.

本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛So far, you have determined one or more
interesting industries or job functions,
and you have gathered information from
individuals in those fields. This information
has shown you the merits of an
MBA degree.

The next step is to evaluate the financial
implications of your potential MBA
investment. Graduate school is likely to
be the most substantial investment you
will ever make in yourself. Given that
70% of MBAs borrow funds to pay for
their education, ask yourself if you are
willing to make a similar commitment.
Before proceeding further, you must
weigh the costs and benefits of pursuing
an MBA.


COSTS:
• Look at the total tuition cost required
to complete the degree. This cost may
be offset by any scholarships you may
receive based on your relative competitiveness.
Note: If you are planning to
pursue your degree anywhere other than
in your country of citizenship, your
associated costs will be higher. Keep in
mind, if scholarships are not available
to you, your ability to borrow might
be severely limited both in your home
country and in the country where you
wish to study.
• Weigh lost income against improved
job flexibility and the ability to return
to the job market at a higher salary.
• If considering a part-time program,
weigh the value of remaining employed
and spreading out tuition payments
against the prospects of staying at a
pre-MBA salary longer. Also consider
whether tuition reimbursement (if
offered by your employer) is worth the
obligation and reduced career mobility.
• Anticipate loan interest and principal
repayment schedules.
• If applicable, factor in relocation
expenses and the differential in living
expenses once you are in school.
• Do not forget MBA school search and
job search costs, including application
fees and corporate networking visits.



BENEFITS:
• The education opens doors to a range
of employment opportunities across
industries.
• The degree provides a foundation for
upward career mobility and expanded
management responsibility.
• An MBA program teaches you how to
increase your marketability.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net

• if a certain career path still
seems appealing to you after
learning more about it;
• if an MBA seems essential,
or helpful, to individuals in
that career path;
• whether a particular type
of prior work experience
or MBA internship seems
important;
• what gaps exist in your
background, experience, or
training that could prevent
you from achieving your goals;
• if there are ways to enter
your chosen field without
an MBA;
• what expectations and
preferences employers in
a particular industry may
have; and
• how to fine-tune your
career plans and related
school objectives.
.