...{text:bookmark-start} Getting a MBA to Change Careers {text:bookmark-end} I should change careers. That is a thought that has haunted me for years. I have known for at least nine years that being a pharmacist was not for me. How to change careers and what new career did I want were questions I had a hard time answering. After searching for answers on the internet and speaking with academic counselors from several colleges, I realized getting a MBA was a possibility. I did not know having a bachelor degree was all one needed to start the MBA program. I was under the impression that thebachelor degree needed to be in an area of business. Hopeful and excited, I decided I needed to get my MBA. Facing my parents with the idea of going back to school and changing careers was not going to be easy. I could hear their objections: you make good money, the MBA will be expensive, you do not have the time, pharmacists are in demand, you won’t ever have trouble finding a job, and finallythat is just not something you do. You have a career, stick with it. Changing careers is not that unheard of these days, as opposed to when my parents were choosing their careers. According to Holmes and Cartwright, in the 1970s and 1980s, more people started changing careers. This change was due to “the rapid rate of social, economic, and technological changes that encouraged the development of successive or multiple careers” (Holmes, 1993). The Vocational Guidance Association states that “between 1985-1988...
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...Why Pursue an MBA? MGT/521 Why Pursue an MBA? Deciding to pursue an MBA degree can be a daunting decision, especially after recently completing an undergraduate degree. Many positives and negatives to consider before making such a life altering decision. This essay will examine several casual circumstances on both sides and answer the question, “Why Pursue an MBA?” Reasons for pursuing an MBA are: 1. Pursuing an MBA is a long-term goal. 2. Pursuing an MBA can assist in a needed career change. 3. An MBA can lead to more money in the job market. Reasons against pursuing an MBA are: 1. The time, cost, and commitment requirements involved. 2. No guarantees that earning an MBA will lead to advancement on the job. 3. A perception exists that there are to many MBAs in the job market. Reasons for Pursuing an MBA Deciding to pursue an MBA has been a long-term goal for some time. Most long-term goals are often never realized. As a result of the 9/11 tragedy the government decided to assist veterans who wanted to continue his or her education. This assistance and the downturn of the economy placed this long-term goal squarely in the forefront. This scenario fell into place, as career change thoughts were starting to surface. Pursuing an MBA can assist in a needed career change. In 2008 the United States economy and the housing market begin to severely decline. This was just four years after embarking on a rewarding and lucrative...
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...Writing an Argument Decision to Pursue an MBA Damita Jackson-Owens MGT 521 September 7th, 2011 Glenn Perry Writing an Argument Deciding to pursue a master’s degree in Business Administration is a decision worth sincerely contemplating. Not only may it boost in your self-esteem but you will obtain satisfaction for your ability to get recognized professionally. It can be an effective tool to enhance or advance one's career if carefully researched career goals are considered. It is an enormous commitment of time, personal sacrifice and financial investment and those who consider pursing it need to consider its value prior to pursing it. This brings me to discuss why I want to pursue my MBA degree. As the old saying goes, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste” and someone has at least heard this phrase told to them, “Knowledge is power” so therefore education is a lifelong process and you could never have too much knowledge. I will discuss my reasons for pursuing my MBA, share my personality traits and look at the pros and cons on obtain an MBA. My decision to pursue my MBA After obtaining my degree in Business Administration in April 2011, furthering my education immediately became an option in efforts to broaden my career opportunities. I am currently employed by the City of Tucson as a Housing Services Agent working with low-income families who are in need of housing under the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) public housing sector and have been with the...
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...Management 521 February 20, 2010 Pursuing a Masters in Business Administration Pursuing a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree to achieve a personal goal may seem ludicrous to some, but not to the individual who desires to have a solid foundation of knowledge on which to build on. An undergraduate who decides to return to school as a graduate student is investing in his or her future. According to Levy (n.d.), an MBA can open doors for an individual and expose students to the business world in terms of job functions and industry. This paper will present an argument pertaining to pursuing an MBA. Additionally, the “What’s my Jungian 16-Type Personality” assessment will take a look at benefits in pursuing this degree. As a goal oriented individual, the decision to pursue an MBA degree was the right choice. Aside from personal ambition and goals, the decision will enhance my career opportunities, development, and will be a valuable asset. The MBA will also open doors to my personal, professional and financial fulfillment. I have been successful in my current position as a clinical research associate (CRA), and although I have had many experiences, the MBA program will enable me to expand my professional horizons and will facilitate me to acquire a solid business understanding. The Argument People have asked me why I am pursuing an MBA degree since my undergraduate degree is in health administration, and I currently have the opportunity to grow in the field of clinical...
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...Pursuit of an MBA Marvin Conway MGT/521 1 April 2010 Construct and Support an Argument Decision to Pursue an MBA To some, pursuing higher education is a waste of money and time. Others, such as me, may argue that it is an accomplishment and the benefits from acquiring a degree are worth the efforts and hard work. With the current national unemployment rate at 9.7% (US Department of Labor, Feb 2010) and steadily rising, it seems improbable that finding that “ideal” job is likely. During these tough economic times, I find myself with a bachelor’s degree at a low paying job with a child to take care of. It is because of this situation that I have chosen to pursue a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) degree with an emphasis in Accounting; receiving higher education could be the answer to my problem. According to the job outlook by education 2006-16 (Occupational Outlook Quarterly), increased earnings and lower rates of unemployment are trends associated with additional levels of education (Liming & Wolf, 2008). After taking the Jungian 16-Type Personality Self-Assessment test, scoring ISTJ, I found that my results support my decision to pursue my MBA with an emphasis in Accounting. A person scoring ISTJ are found to be organized, compulsive, private, trustworthy, and practical people. Their possible career choices are office manager, accountant, business manager, tax agent, and public servant (Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007). I recognize that I possess...
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...MBA Admissions Essay Powerful Tips for Improving Your Odds of Gaining Admission to the MBA Program of Your Choice Admissions essays are easily the most challenging part of the MBA application process, and it’s no wonder. Most people don’t like to write, and even those of us who do enjoy writing can come up blank when called upon to write about ourselves, especially when so much is at stake. The fact remains: If you want to go to business school, you have to be able to generate one or two thousand carefully chosen words that sum up your background and experience, your career goals, your reasons for seeking the MBA, and why you’ve chosen the program to which you’re applying. Step one: Relax. Writing admissions essays is stressful—it’s supposed to be stressful— but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Everyone who has ever applied to business school has written admissions essays, and so can you. All you have to do is submit essays that are a little bit better than most of the others, and if you follow the advice we’ll cover in the following pages, it will be a lot less painful. How to Write a Successful Most MBA essays are mediocre The good news is that most MBA admissions essays are mediocre at best. If you can at least come up with a marginally compelling narrative, and if you can spell and punctuate everything correctly—or know someone who can—you’ll automatically have an advantage over much of the competition. This guide is designed to help you get started (the hardest...
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...Applicants with a plan for the future and a good grasp of what is expected of them as MBA students are the most likely to succeed as MBA graduates. We know plans change and that people often pursue an MBA to create new career options. That said, we ask that you give us a clear statement of your current career plans. Your essay should answer all the following questions: 1. What do you expect to do immediately after completing the MBA program? 2. What steps have you taken to assess the viability of your post-MBA goals given your experience to date combined with your intended MBA study plans? 3. What do you anticipate will be the primary challenges to achieving your career goals? What is your lifetime career goal? 4. What unique aspects of the Foster MBA Program would contribute the most towards achieving your short term and long term goals? (750 words max) I was exposed to the world of finance when I first came to the United States, back in 2002. After finishing my Marketing program at Berkeley, I was hired as an unpaid intern at the now defunct investment bank, Bear Stearns, & Co. It was there, that my interest in finance soon turned into fascination at how the world financial markets worked. The fast-paced yet organized environment was unlike anything I had experienced and something, I decided then, that I wanted to be a part of. Over the last 5 years, I have worked at Bear Stearns (in their Private Bank and Institutional Equity Sales departments),...
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...M BArk Why should you do an MBA? It is crucial on two counts: 1. If you do qualify for a course and find yourself a complete misfit for the curriculum it would mean you are actually not cut out for the management cadre in the corporate world. So you are likely to saddle yourself with a career that makes you unhappy. 2. An MBA course is an investment both in terms of time and money hence wasting it is an offence. Moving on, let’s look at a few caricatures wherein an MBA degree can be handy: 4 The Anointed Heir who wants to hold the keys to his/her kingdom. This guy is someone like an industrialist’s son, who will have to take over the running of an existing corporate empire. 4 The Shop Floor Enthusiast who wants to sit in the gilded corporate office This guy is typically someone who has devoted many years on the shop floor (it could also be in a lab..or in sales..or in data collection), mostly a technical person who executes rather than strategises. This guy now wants to be a part of the strategic team. 4 The Intrepid Entrepreneur who wants to create an empire. This guy is someone who is all set to start his or her own business and wants to know the tools of how to do so. 4 The P o w e r S e e k e r who wants to crack the management ceiling he/she has hit because of a lack of an MBA degree. This person is typically someone who is a part of management perceived perspective. but of sees many promotions pass by him/ her due to a lack managerial of the top Most This is an invariable...
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...Research Design The study will use Focus Group Discussion as its research design. A focus group is a group of people, led by a trained moderator, who meets by 90 minutes to 2 hours. The facilitator uses or moderator uses group dynamics principles to focus or guide the group in an exchange of ideas, feelings, and experiences on a specific topic. The data gathered after the discussion can be used in evaluating particular issues. FGD data can be used to evaluating particular issues. The researchers chose Focus Group Discussion as a medium of the research as the face to face involvement of qualified participants may be of help to gather data on how scholarships are implemented by other learning institutions. FGD will give the researcher ideas on how to analyze the research problem. The discussion may be of help to explore the meanings of survey findings that cannot be explained statistically. Construct Validity Construct Validity is an assessment of how well ideas theories are translated into actual programs or measures. The researchers aim to gather opinion from AGSB Students on how features of SYLFF and Star Scholars can be adopted by AGSB. Construct Validity can be achieved by formulating questions that can be used in gathering information from the respondents through FGD. The following questions will be asked to the participants for the FGD: 1. The researcher would like to propose a scholarship program which adopts some of the features of Star Scholars of...
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...W. P. Carey MBA Admissions Essay Questions – Evening MBA and Online MBA MBA Applicants are required to submit answers to essay questions during the online application process. Essays may be typed in the document below, saved and uploaded in one document when requested during the online application. Responses to each essay question should be no more than two pages using 1.5 line spacing. Please begin each question on a new page. Essay Question #1 Explain how your past accomplishments have prepared you for the W. P. Carey MBA. “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” A famous saying from the movie Forrest Gump pretty much describes my situation. In my earlier life, I never thought I would come to US for my master of engineering, work as an electrical engineer at Force10networks (it was acquired by DELL recently), and now pursue an MBA. My past accomplishments that have prepared me for the W.P. Carey MBA include teaching mathematics in Taiwan, coming to US to improve myself, earning my engineering masters at the University of Arizona, and working as electrical design engineer at force10networks. Before I came to US, I had taught mathematics from high school level to college calculus for seven years. The reason that I like teaching is I like to sense students’ issues of learning mathematics. I like to communicate with them, and to help them succeed in achieving...
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...support of my decision to pursue my MBA degree and its importance to me. I will also include the results from the Jungian 16 type Personality self-assessment that was done to assess my personality type and to determine how others perceive me. Importance of Earning an MBA Degree The question been asked is why do I need an MBA to excel? This is just a question in the minds of thousands of individuals who wish to excel in their professional career and who seek to achieve some form of independence. ‘Why does achieving an MBA important to my development’, an MBA is seen as a steppingstone to further enrich my way of life. Earning an MBA can be seen as a very important accomplishment in one’s life, as it allows the individual the opportunity to accomplish his or her goals in life and have a standing in society and the business world. Achieving an MBA is not just acquiring a piece of paper with one’s name written on it but rather a milestone in one’s accomplishment. The milestone that will allow me to be better equipped for managerial level positions in the professional world and also will allow me greater marketability as it paves a path for my professional growth. This will allow me to go out into the world with a better chance of obtaining a job and to be in a specific socio class. In other word’s an educational investment paying off. According to Tomar (2010), “Major companies are presently requiring for their employees to obtain an MBA before they are being promoted and...
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...“BUSINESS MANAGEMENT” In companies large and small, ranging from manufacturers to service providers, business managers play a key role in contributing to an organization’s profitability and viability. The role of a business manager can vary widely depending on the industry and size of the organization. As a company’s needs change, its business managers may be required to take on additional responsibilities. The wide range of business skills needed in this profession can be acquired through a bachelor’s degree in business administration program with a specialization in management. Job Outlook for Business Managers The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment of general and operations managers is expected to remain steady in coming years. The number of job openings in any given field will depend on the overall growth within that industry, so the best opportunities will likely be in high-growth fields such as healthcare and information technology. The prestige and high pay of business manager jobs often results in strong competition. Professionals with advanced education and relevant experience should enjoy the best opportunities. Request More Info About This Career Job Duties Business managers assist companies in reaching goals and objectives related to sales, productivity, profitability and industry penetration, among other areas. While some business managers supervise a single department, others may direct the overall operations of privately owned...
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...Simulation MBA Capstone Tasks: Best Practices If you are in the MBA Capstone course, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. These best practices are designed to help make the stretch of your educational journey as smooth as possible. A mindset of excellence Your MBA Capstone tasks should reflect your highest quality work; your current state of excellence. The standards are high for the capstone tasks. Doing just enough to get by or good enough will result in re-work and re-submissions. The best practice is to strive for excellence. Read for understanding Read the course of study, task instructions, and task rubrics. Seek clarification on any points that might be subject to multiple interpretations. Do not assume; know. The best practice is to be prepared by reading for understanding. Capsim Simulation The designation of MBA indicates the ability to lead and manage both vertically and horizontally across an organization. It is the ability to maximize organizational success by understanding the organization as a system of integrated and interdependent parts. Successful completion of assessments in your MBA courses signals that you know the theories and competencies; the simulation is an opportunity to demonstrate and apply your skills. The best practices are listed below. 1. Read the Team Member Guide; understand your role and the roles of other team members. 2. Complete the Capsim pre-work. 3. Understand the simulation is challenging, time intensive...
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...The Lancaster MBA Assignment First Page Student ID number(s): Student Name(s): Nabil Kilany – 30675912 Khalil Elias – 30983977 Riyad Kurdi – 31082936 Ramzi Shokeh – 31007941 Laith Adas – 31007784 Nabil Al-Kilany Khalil Elias Riyad Kurdi Ramzi Shokeh Laith Adas Module Name: GMBA 558 - Strategy Module Tutor: Dr. Martin Friesl Essay/Project Title Professional Company for Real-estate Investment and Housing Strategy Project Word Count: (5430 excluding Cover, Contents, reference list & appendices ) Assignment Due Date: 15-Nov-2013 By submitting this coursework for assessment, I/We acknowledge the following: Academic Integrity I/We have read and understood the Lancaster University Postgraduate Regulations (http://www.lancs.ac.uk/celt/celtweb/marp) on cheating and plagiarism and state that the work I submit will be my/our own and will not contain any unacknowledged work from other sources. As the author(s) of submitted work in my/our name I/we am/are prepared to undertake a fair and reasonable oral examination of its contents. Research Ethics and Governance I/We have read and understood the Lancaster University Research Ethics and Governance code of practice. Note: This form is to be used as the first page for all coursework submissions. 1|Page GMBA558 Group Assignment The Lancaster MBA Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................
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...solved in the case. [1 sentence]. List other secondary problems in the case. 6. Your recommended solution for the case (a.-d. below). Make clear specific realistic recommendations. There must be a clear logical sequence to your thoughts and recommendations. (2-3 Pages) a. At least three possible realistic alternative solutions for the most important problem (stated above for 5) b. Criteria to evaluate possible alternative solutions. For example: acceptability to stakeholders, needed resources, legality, timing, cost-effectiveness, ability to implement, side effects, qualifications, statistical data, financial data, ethical considerations, fit with case facts, likelihood of actually solving the problem, etc. c. Evaluation of the possible alternative solutions (6a) using the criteria (6b). (2 pages) d. Your recommended solution for the problem, based on 6a, 6b, and 6c. Justify your recommendation. 7. Specific MBA/MHA tools, methods, techniques, principles, theories, models, etc. from MBA courses that you used for this case. List specific tools (e.g Risk Management, Do not list general subjects (e.g., finance, leadership). 2-3 sentence explanations * SWOT Analysis, * Community Need Assessment, * Feasibility Study, * Demographic Study, * Scored Card, * Employ Engagement, * Cost-Benefit...
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