With the number of computer science graduates increasing yearly, the competition for IT jobs is at an all-time high. Thankfully you as an IT professional can get an MBA degree and give yourself an edge in the labour market. Now, this begs the big question, ‘Why’?
Why Get an MBA Degree as an IT Professional?
Gone are the days when IT experts could solely focus their attention on developing technologies while ignoring the business aspect of their jobs. Today, IT professionals need to have a working knowledge of business management and tech skills to stand strong against the competition.
This degree provides professionals with real-life skills that will make them more valuable in their fields. If you’re worried about the amount of time it’ll take you to finish your MBA, you don’t have to be, as there are options to take accelerated programs, which are great ways of getting an MBA program finished fast.
So, if you’re an IT professional looking to take your career to the next level, here are 5 ways an MBA will advance your IT career.
Teaches You Business, Analytical, and Management Skills
MBA programs have a comprehensive curriculum that spans several courses, including:
- Finance
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Decision-making
- Strategy and innovation
- Data analysis, and
- Economics.
This education provides Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) with the necessary skills to handle business operations.
Additionally, while you may not see the need for leadership skills early on, the truth is as your career develops, you are likely to come into a leadership role. When the time comes, getting an MBA will provide you with the analytical skills you need to lead successfully.
Lets You Put ‘MBA’ Behind Your Name
While it sounds cool to have the MBA title behind your name, getting an MBA is more than just the title. This degree establishes you as a business professional alongside your IT expert status, thus earning you more respect in your field. For instance, more people, even C-level executives, will be more willing to listen to your opinions.
Increases Your Income and International Expose
It goes without saying that getting an MBA will considerably increase your salary range by offering you more access to premium opportunities and upping your chances of landing a promotion. How does this work?
Firstly, when employing IT experts, tech firms are willing to offer higher and more impressive salaries to applicants with MBAs. Additionally, many IT experts obtain an MBA to use it as a stepping stone to getting into senior positions, which no doubt come with higher salary and allowance packages.
Additionally, with over 250,000 students enrolled in MBA programs worldwide in 2021, it is safe to say that the MBA degree is widely recognized in professional circles around the world. The implication is that with an MBA, you stand a chance to work with top international IT firms and clients. This gives you international exposure that will undoubtedly advance your career.
Boosts Your Confidence and Career Satisfaction
No one ever remains the same after finishing an MBA program. It imbues you with essential business skills, sharpens your intelligence, and gives you an edge over many in your field. It also provides ample communication and stress management training, equipping you to effectively handle the pressures of your workplace.
Knowing that you have the skills you need to survive will no doubt give you the confidence to take on whatever challenges you may face along your career path.
Additionally, getting an Executive MBA could provide career satisfaction, as you can rest assured knowing that the skills you’ve learned will serve you for the rest of your career.
Provides Networking Opportunities and Proves Your Commitment
Most MBA programs require students to go on compulsory internships at some point before their graduation, thus providing them with ample opportunity to meet with many professionals from different industries, including tech.
These professionals could be people with similar goals as yours, and more experience in the field, putting them in a good position to recommend you for certain positions.
Additionally, getting an MBA as an IT expert convinces companies and hirers that you are fully committed to your profession, which is undoubtedly a good look. They are more likely to choose you over other applicants with no MBA and trust you with more advanced tasks.
Related Questions
What MBA Specialization Is Best for IT Professionals?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best MBA specialization for IT Professionals varies from one person to the other. To know which aspect to specialize in, you should consider factors peculiar to yourself, such as:
- Your strengths
- Areas of interest
- Career scope, and
- Salary and job expectations.
Some examples of courses you could choose as an MBA specialization as an IT Professionals include:
- IT management
- Information System Management
- Cybersecurity, and
- Data Analytics.
Should Only People With an Interest in Leadership Roles Take an MBA Course?
While an MBA is great for people looking to get into leadership roles in their careers, it is not restricted to such people only. MBAs have many different specializations and provide resources that are applicable to diverse fields, making them a great option for all kinds of professionals, whether or not they’re looking to take up leadership roles.
Is a Full-time MBA Program Better Than an Online MBA Program?
No, both full-time and online MBA programs carry the same weight in the professional world, with none excelling over the other.
A full-time MBA program is one that is classroom-based. It requires candidates to attend physical classes with strict attendance monitoring and has a tightly regulated curriculum. An online MBA program, on the other hand, is home-based. It allows candidates to take their classes online and at their convenience.
Conclusion
Getting an MBA degree is a major way through which many IT professionals establish themselves as experts in the tech field and advance their IT careers. This decision is backed up by the points discussed above, which all point toward the fact that you can never go wrong with choosing to get an MBA degree. So, choose to get one today.
