With a wide array of career paths available to them, MBAs are empowered to be more strategic and exploratory in their career planning. This offers numerous long-term benefits, including increased personal and professional growth, greater job security, and better career satisfaction.
So, how exactly does an MBA open doors to a broad spectrum of career opportunities? How can enrolling in a program enable you to pivot careers, explore different sectors, and adapt your pathway?
Here are four key reasons why an MBA can provide the flexibility and insight you need to unlock exciting new career avenues.
1. Real-world experience through action learning
An MBA offers opportunities to undertake real-world experiences. Often, students spend much of their studies working alongside classmates and interacting with real companies to solve business problems.
During the Asia School of Business (ASB) MBA program, for example, students get to participate in three different action learning projects delivered in collaboration with 230 organizations, including Bangkok Bank, Johnson & Johnson, and Samsung. These take various forms, including team-based projects, a one-week immersive class event, and individual internship-like experiences in the school’s Action Learning Summer program.
This approach allows students to explore various industries and roles. Kushwin Kaur, an MBA alum from the ASB Class of 2024, reflects how the projects served as a testing ground for various career paths: “The action learning projects provided a platform for testing new ideas and roles; it was a safe space for my teammates and me to make mistakes and gain valuable hands-on experience.”
With the practical experiences gained from an MBA program, by the time it comes to graduation, students are also more prepared to successfully impress recruiters and land roles, says Malisse Tan, director of the career development office (CDO) at ASB. “The program enhances a student's experience and skills, creates new opportunities, and further develops relationships on a deeper level between students and potential employers,” she adds.
2. Exposure to a variety of career pathways
With a strong emphasis on experiential learning, an MBA exposes you to a wide range of sectors—including finance, consulting, technology, and social impact—empowering you to move into a different field if you desire to change sectors.
"I entered the MBA program with several years of experience in consulting, and now I work in the aviation sector. I wouldn't have been able to make this transition without the numerous opportunities provided by the program, which allowed me to explore different paths and acquire transferable skills," says Kushwin.
By providing you with hands-on experience in various industries, an MBA broadens your perspective and enables you to unlock new career options. Among the ASB Class of 2024, several graduates changed their career paths as a result of their action learning projects, some moving from consulting to manufacturing and others from law to human resources, Malisse explains.
“These experiences highlight how action learning can create pathways to new industries and career opportunities,” she adds.
3. Extensive corporate partnerships and networking opportunities
MBA programs typically build active partnerships with companies to provide students with direct access to extensive networks of corporate and industry leaders, with opportunities often available on a global scale.
Through employer networking sessions and recruitment events, you can leverage these connections to explore different companies and industries, helping to figure out what the right career path looks like for you.
"I wanted to explore sustainability to get me out of my comfort zone, but I had not been exposed to it before my MBA. Thanks to ASB’s work with Nestlé, I was able to complete an Action Learning project focused on sustainability,” says Kushwin. "The second project was with Meiyume in Indonesia, and the third was with a hotel chain called Tune Hotels in East Malaysia. Each of these projects presented unique business problem statements for my team and me to solve."
The MBA program also provides multiple networking opportunities through the Career and Industry Treks in Hong Kong and the UAE (Abu Dhabi and Dubai) enabling students to engage with top companies such as Meta, AON, Hilti, 3M, and Mubadala Energy.
"The aim of these treks is to give students the platform to meet key players, explore career opportunities, and build connections," adds Malisse.
4. Personalized career development support
Both during and after your MBA, the career center will provide tailored support to enhance your employability. Through a combination of workshops and coaching, the career center ensures that you are well-equipped to take charge of your career and secure roles that align with the new goals you have set yourself.
“We believe in empowering our students to be the pilots of their career development journey, with the support and guidance of the ASB CDO,” adds Malisse.
The career center will also connect you directly with recruiters and organize company visits, exposing you to opportunities you may not have considered and therefore expanding your career prospects.
"The CDO played a crucial role in shaping my career and helping me transition from consulting to the aviation industry. They organized a visit to my current office at Air Asia, which allowed me to meet the recruiter and ultimately led to an invitation for an interview," says Kushwin.
As well as giving you fundamental skills and a well-rounded business acumen, an MBA can provide you with action learning opportunities, exposure to various roles, partnerships in different industries, and tailored career support to help you unlock new career pathways.
