You know that Sunday night feeling when you’re dreading Monday? That’s not necessarily a sign you need an MBA.
One of the most common things I hear when I start the consulting process with new clients is that they started down the MBA path because they hate their jobs. And I get it. Wanting to scream every day as you get in our car and drive to a soul-sucking job is incredibly draining and can feel psychologically unbearable.
There’s a massive difference between being ready for business school and being ready to quit your job, yet we conflate them constantly. MBA programs are very expensive Band-Aids for job dissatisfaction.
If you find yourself in this spot, I want to help you think through whether it’s time to do an MBA or to find a new job.
Let’s keep it simple.
MBA Fit Check
An MBA might be wrong for you if:
- You’re counting down the days to the weekend.
- You’re applying to MBA programs, but also updating your resume, browsing LinkedIn jobs, and fantasizing about different careers.
- The MBA feels like an escape hatch more than a specific goal.
- You can’t articulate what you’d do with the MBA, just what you’d get away from.
However, the MBA is a perfect fit for you if:
- You have specific goals that genuinely require an MBA (of course, through the consulting process, we can help you get total clarity on the details, but having relatively detailed goals is important).
- You can explain why now, not just why eventually.
- The opportunity cost of waiting to leave your job and pursue your MBA is high.
The One Question That Clarifies Everything
If you’re still not sure, I’d ask you to engage in a thought exercise. If you had a magic wand, you could wave and solve all the things you’re dissatisfied with in your current job, would you still need an MBA?
If the answer is yes, then we should talk. I’d love to help you clarify your goals, chart the path to success, and support you in the process of getting into your dream school.
If the answer is no, you might just need a new job, so polish up your résumé.
What I Actually Want for You
Yes, I’m in the business of helping people get into top MBA programs. But I only want clients to go if it truly makes sense for them. I’ve worked with a few clients over the years who, after our initial strategy meetings, we realized the MBA just didn’t make sense for them. Recently, I received this message:
I was elated to hear that our work had helped her gain career clarity and reach the goals we set out for her. This, helping talented young professionals find careers they love, is why I do what I do.
So even if you’re not 100% sure if the MBA makes sense for you, we can help you figure it out. You don’t need to commit to the entire consulting process. We can go through the initial strategy and coaching sessions to ensure you have absolute clarity in deciding if an MBA is right for you.
After many years in this industry, I’ve seen how transformative MBAs can be. But only if you’re running toward something, not just away from something.
