Online MBA programs have become increasingly popular in recent times, and if you are interested in taking your business career further, there are plenty of reasons to consider enrolling in this type of program. Getting your MBA can be an ideal way to take your business career to the next level, with businesses all around the world actively seeking to hire MBA graduates in a range of different industries. If you are interested in a career where you can enjoy high demand, a lot of respect and prestige, and the chance to work in a variety of different roles and settings, getting an MBA is a versatile and worthwhile option to consider. And now that there are more options than ever before to get your MBA online, taking your business career to the next level might be even more reachable compared to in the past.
However, despite the fact that studying for an MBA online gives you more convenience and flexibility along with the opportunity to save money, it’s important to be realistic about the amount of work that is involved with the process. Studying for your MBA online requires a lot of self-motivation and discipline; skills that you will not only need for success with getting this qualification but also in any future career that it might take you into. Online MBA students often choose this method of learning as it is the most convenient for them to fit around other commitments such as working full-time, running their own business, or raising a family.
What Are the Main Benefits of Online MBA Programs?
Getting an online MBA from Kettering University can often have many benefits for students compared to studying in a traditional manner on-campus. When you decide to get your MBA online, you can expect the following advantages:
Cost Savings
Although tuition fee costs are likely to stay around the same as you would expect for a traditional program when studying online, don’t worry as there are many ways that you can save money compared to studying on-campus, which could help you repay student loans faster or avoid getting into as much debt. The lower opportunity cost, meaning that there’s less of a need to quit your job or take fewer hours while studying, is one of the biggest cost benefits of getting your MBA online. Since you will be able to continue earning the income that you are used to when you are studying, financial worries are not as pertinent. Along with this, students can save money by studying from home rather than commuting to campus, and you will have the chance to study at colleges that may not be local to you, without the cost of relocating to a different city or state.
Flexibility
The convenience and flexibility of these online programs is one of the main reasons why online MBA students choose them. You can find MBA programs delivered online that are completely flexible, putting you fully in control when it comes to how, when and where you study. These are often the most ideal options for students who have a lot of responsibilities and commitments to uphold, as there is no problem if you want to log in and study at unconventional times, and you can avoid the stress that comes with having to be in class at a certain time regardless of what is happening with the rest of your life. Since more and more MBA students are no longer in a position where they can quit working while studying, these programs give you the option to divide your time more easily between working in your current career and dedicating yourself to the program.
Programs Available
With online learning currently booming as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become easier than ever for students to find a wide range of MBA program options that are offered by reputable colleges and business schools. There are now almost as many online MBA programs as there are campus-based programs, and they are no longer only offered by lesser-known online-only schools, with more and more reputable and well-known traditional business schools beginning to offer online and distance learning opportunities.
How to Prepare for Success with Your Online MBA
Despite all the benefits of studying online, it’s important to be aware of the amount of work that you will need to put in to succeed. After all, the workload and curriculum are going to be the same as what you would expect from a campus-based degree program. Many students go into studying online, believing that it is going to be an easy experience as they don’t have to attend classes in-person, only to get a shock later down the line.
Studying online can be very different to studying on-campus. While you don’t have to rush to class in the morning, you do need to have a healthy dose of self-motivation and the ability to keep yourself disciplined even when the going gets tough. If you know that you are prone to procrastinating, this might be a good time to start working on that side of yourself before it begins to have an impact on your success when studying for an online MBA program.
One area where you may need to be more proactive when studying for your MBA online is networking. While networking often comes naturally when you are regularly around other people on a campus-based MBA program, studying online will often mean that you need to seek out opportunities to connect with your peers. The good news is that a good online business school will offer plenty of opportunities to make that possible through online communication channels like chat rooms, forums, and social media groups. It’s worth finding out more about any in-person meetups and events that might be held that you will be able to attend.
So, what are some of the main things to consider for your success if you’re planning to get your MBA online?
Choose the Right College or Business School
The first step to consider in your journey towards online MBA success is the business school or college that you choose. It’s important to remember that some schools have only just started offering online and distance learning options as a result of COVID-19, so some schools have much more experience than others. While it’s down to personal preference and whether or not you have a certain school in mind, wherever possible, it’s important to choose a school that has a proven track record of delivering successful online learning to students, to help you get the best results. Along with this, you should always look for an online school and program that is accredited by a relevant accrediting body, to guarantee a learning experience that meets rigorous standards.
Set Up a Home Study Area
Before you get started with your first lessons, it’s a good idea to have a home study area ready to go. Perhaps you are already working from home and have a home office space that can easily be used as your home study space, or maybe you will need to find somewhere in your home that is going to be suitable. Either way, having somewhere that you go to for studying can help you stay focused and is probably going to be better for your health compared to sitting on the couch to study. If possible, choose somewhere in your home that is free from distractions, well-lit, and comfortable. It’s a good idea to invest in ergonomic furniture – the more comfortable you are when studying, the less likely you will be distracted by aches and pains. Make sure that your study area has a good organization system in place if you plan to take paper notes or make use of other physical study aids like flash cards and books.
Create a Routine
Since many MBA programs allow you to study at times that suit you best and don’t require you to be in attendance at specific times, it’s down to you to put together a routine that will work for you. Putting together a study schedule that you can stick to over time is one of the best things that you can do to prepare yourself for success with your online MBA program. If you don’t have a routine, you’re going to be putting yourself at risk of procrastinating and getting left behind. In turn, this can lead to high stress levels as one thing that all online MBA programs will have in common is set deadline dates for submitting assignments and other work. Most people will work better when they have a schedule or routine in place, and after a few weeks of sticking to the routine it will feel more natural to you. Go through your current schedule to determine where you have free time or time that could be freed up in order for you to study.
Invest Your Time in Networking
One of the main worries for online MBA students is how they are going to successfully network with others on the program if they don’t have the opportunity to meet their peers and professors in person. The good news, however, is that today, online networking has become the norm thanks to sites like LinkedIn and other networking groups on various social media sites. A good MBA program will have channels in place to make it possible for students to network with one another; however, you will need to be proactive in using these to make sure that you get the most benefit. Group chats, forums, chat rooms, social media groups, video conferences and more are just some of the options that you might expect from networking as an online MBA student. Don’t wait to be invited – being proactive about setting up your own groups can give you a head start when it comes to networking and help you start making both valuable business connections and friendships.
Have a Support System in Place
It’s important to be ready for the amount of hard work that is going to be required of you when getting an MBA online alongside working full-time, if this is your plan. Don’t forget that you are also going to have to uphold any other responsibilities that you might have like family commitments. Because of this, having a good support system to turn to is likely going to be crucial for you. This could be family members, friends, work colleagues, or professionals who you know have your back and are willing to be there for you when you are in need. Sometimes, being able to get help with the smaller things can take a weight off your mind if you are feeling overwhelmed due to the workload, and on some occasions, you may simply benefit from having somebody encouraging and supportive to speak to. Throughout your MBA program you are going to be developing the skills necessary to ask for help when needed and delegate tasks to others, so what better place to start putting this into practice than right now, in your personal life.
Break the Work Down with Smaller Goals
When you first begin an MBA program, it can often be easy to feel overwhelmed with all the work since there is going to be a lot of it ahead. However, this can stand in your way, so the best way to approach this is by breaking down the amount of work that you have to do into smaller and more achievable goals. Many online MBA students find that it is helpful to have daily, weekly, or monthly goals rather than looking too far into the future. Not only does this help you get a more realistic idea of what you need to prioritize right now, but the sense of accomplishment that you will get whenever you hit one of your smaller goals can help to keep you motivated towards achieving the next one.
Online MBA programs present a great opportunity for anybody who wants to build their business career in a more flexible manner. However, it’s important to be prepared for the workload before you get started.
