This blog post is part of our "Application Insider" blog post series that provides insider information, tips, and advice about applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program.
APPLICATION INSIDER TOPIC:
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND LEADERSHIP ROLES
A large part of the MBA application process is being introspective and taking the time to really consider if an MBA is the right degree for you, what you hope to gain, as well as when is the right time for you to begin a program. Since career advancement is one of the main reasons that most applicants pursue an MBA, career pathing is one of the best ways to address the three areas above by providing you with a framework to chart a course for your career development.
The first step to career pathing is to consider your past and present work experience. Think about your career -- what have you accomplished, what skills have you gained, what do you like most about your experiences, and what do you like least. Reflecting on your career to date will provide you with insight into what inspires you, your areas of strength as well as opportunities for growth. This information can inform your decision to pursue an MBA and potentially set the foundation for your post-MBA career goals
Next, think about the type of career that you hope to have post-MBA. Do you want to start your post-MBA career as a management consultant and eventually start your own company? Or do you want to become a senior product manager in a large technology firm with a long term goal to become a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)? One of the great benefits of an MBA is that it is the most flexible and adaptable degrees which is why it is applicable to almost any profession. However, it’s important to be specific and narrow down the function and industry that you would be interested in pursuing so that you can maximize your time and the resources offered by an MBA program. Part of this process also involves researching the types of companies that you would like to target. Based on your post-MBA goals, what would be the top three companies where you would like to work?
Once you’ve taken a thorough look at your pre-MBA work experience and thought through your post-MBA goals, you can then focus on how to use your time in an MBA program. Think about the type of skills you will need to be successful in your desired post-MBA career as well as the skills that you already have in order to determine which skills you want to develop further during your MBA. When deciding on the skills you want to improve, you should consider both “hard” and “soft” skills. Hard skills refer to specific teachable abilities or skill sets, such as improving your quantitative background or focusing on a specific specialization. Soft skills tend to be more interpersonal in nature. For example, you may want to improve your teamwork ability, your communication, and/or your leadership skills. Consider not just the skills that you want to gain, but how you will gain them. Are there particular courses, clubs, or career resources that you will benefit from?
An MBA will help you bridge the gap between where you currently are in your career and where you want to be in the future. You want to understand your motivations for pursuing an MBA, your current skillsets, and areas of development, so that you can pinpoint what resources you will need for your continued development and ultimately decide which MBA programs you are targeting. Creating an outline with this information will not only help you understand the impact that an MBA can have on your life and career, but it will also make it easier for you to write compelling MBA essays and support your MBA plan throughout the application process.
Check back for more "Application Insider" blog posts that will cover information and tips on the many aspects of applying to the UCLA Anderson MBA program!
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