What is the value of an MBA in a DIY-learning world?

The way we learn continues to evolve as new technologies become so common that we can no longer imagine life without them. With the increase of smartphones, rising internet access and greater digital connection, we’re now able to access information on any topic instantaneously, reducing barriers to learning and personal growth.

The past few years have seen an explosion in communication mediums such as podcasts, audiobooks and online videos. While these resources cover all kinds of subjects and areas of interest, they do not deliver the inherent value of an established course structure with a qualification outcome. The idea of DIY learning offers the opportunity for growth and the establishment of further knowledge – to a point. However, no number of podcasts or Medium articles can replace the experience and value of earning a postgraduate qualification when it comes to opening up further opportunity for career advancement.

This is particularly true when it comes to the historical and continuing value of an MBA in an ever-changing world. In a world with access to all kinds of information on a 24/7 basis, what is it that an MBA qualification can achieve that no amount of self-driven online research will amount to?

MBAs are a singular and unique qualification

MBAs have a vast amount of practical applications as the way the global business market shifts and grows. People seek an MBA qualification for many reasons, including:

• To advance their role at the company they are currently employed
• To increase their career prospects outside their current organisation
• To deepen skills and abilities before making a move into a new industry altogether
• To build a broad and extensive skill-set that positions them as an attractive start-up founder
• To position themselves as an expert on the areas incorporated into the MBA experience
• To push personal limits and extend a wide range of abilities.

Successful MBA graduates take the skills they build in their MBA experience and apply them across a wide range of industries.

They move into roles in consulting, advertising, marketing, start-up management and founding, supply chain management, project management and leadership positions across every industry.

MBAs provide soft skills with immense real-world application opportunities

However, the value of an MBA goes far beyond one single career application. The MBA experience is about more than building knowledge - it’s about cultivating future leaders who carry a deep and varied skill set required by world-class corporations and industry game-changers.

These soft skills include:

Leadership
Cultivating next-generation leaders who can manage large teams of employees, organisational pressures and company cultures.

Integrity
Learning the value of integrity through the study process, a character trait that’s of great value both for career advancement and for everyday decision-making.

Critical thinking
MBA students undertake an extensive study experience to learn how to ask the right questions that lead to enhanced outcomes. Students emerge equipped to make reasoned judgments that have considered the big picture.

Communication
This soft skill is applicable in every moment of life, not just business. MBA graduates will be equipped with communication skills that allow them to communicate ideas, vision, challenges and opportunities in a way that’s most suitable for effective engagement with each audience.

MBAs are an investment that requires true commitment

If you're serious about cultivating the kinds of skills, abilities and experiences that are inherent to MBA outcomes, making the commitment to the MBA study process will require you to meet and exceed rigorous study expectations. While this system isn't for everyone, this is a powerful way to give the very best of yourself in the pursuit of these soft and hard skills.

Historically, MBAs may have required applicants to give up full-time work for the duration of the course, relocate, and drastically change their current lifestyle to keep up with the course's demands. With online study, however, the options that exist for MBA study are much broader.

An online MBA gives you all of the benefits of an on-campus MBA with a reduced impact on your existing commitments, including:

• Greater flexibility in your time and when you choose to study
• The ability to begin the program or a new unit at six study periods each year
• The capacity to achieve an MBA without quitting your job or having to relocate.

By studying online, you can benefit from the commitment an MBA requires of rigorous study, deep-level engagement and the opportunity to rub shoulders with peers from a wide range of industries and experiences. However, you can do so without great expense and with a higher degree of ownership over how you allocate your time and resources to completing each unit that makes up your MBA.

MBAs are recognised as a superior qualification worldwide

There’s a lot you can learn through the combination of the DIY-learning approach - but most of it won’t give you the benefit of a world-class, globally-recognised qualification.

Completing your MBA positions you for access to opportunities on a global scale and sets you apart from the pool of applicants for any position you may apply for in future. The return on investment from an MBA is ongoing. In fact, the 2017 AIB Alumni Insight Report found that MBA graduates can expect their income to increase by 11% per annum following graduation. Whether you decide to gain an MBA qualification for one specific outcome or not, you’ll see the ripple effect of your learning experience across your everyday work experiences and your future employment prospects.

Ready to learn more?

If you’re interested in how an MBA could move you closer to your personal and career goals, speak to an SCU Student Enrolment Advisor today on 1300 863 819.