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:
CAREER PATHING
Career advancement is the the driver for all applicants pursing an MBA. Whether you're looking to make an industry and/or functional pivot, or just looking to advance in your current company, you need to take the time to create a road map for yourself as you think about pursuing the MBA, what you hope to gain, as well as when is the right time for you to begin a program. To answer these three questions, we like to use a framework called "career pathing" to chart a course for your career development.
Step 1: Consider your past and present work experience -- 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.
Step 2: 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 gain exposure to multiple industries before exiting into an in-house strategy role? 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)? Maybe you even just want to pursue your own entrepreneurial goals. The MBA is truly a flexible degree that can be 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.
Step 3: 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. The many opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom at UCLA Anderson MBA will ultimately to allow you to explore interests both professionally and personally. This includes (1) networking building to get to know your classmates and our alumni network (2) leadership experience through club Board positions, (3) interest development through involvement in the interest clubs and case competitions, (4) socializing via our many interest clubs, all of which to support your career development.
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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