You’ve put in the time, proven yourself in your role, and built a resume you’re proud of. But lately, you might be sensing you’re ready for the next level, but you aren't quite sure how to get there.
If you’re looking at job descriptions for director-level roles or dreaming of launching your own business venture, you may be wondering: Should I get an MBA?
Read on and answer a few reflection questions to help you map out your next career move.
Before you start comparing programs or calculating tuition, take a step back and think about where you want your career to go. Why pursue an MBA at all? The answer should connect to a concrete goal.
Consider questions like:
If you can envision MBA career paths that excite you—such as marketing, finance, applied communication, nonprofit management, and entrepreneurship—you'll have a much clearer sense of whether a graduate degree is the right vehicle to get you there.
Once you know where you want to go, ask yourself what's standing between you and that goal. Do I need an MBA, or could a certification, stretch assignment, or mentor get me there?
For many roles, an MBA is a strongly preferred qualification or requirement. Hiring managers for senior leadership positions often look for strategic decision-making, financial fluency, ethical leadership, and a cross-functional perspective that MBA programs are designed to build.
A useful exercise: pull up three to five job listings for roles you'd like to hold in five years. Note the credentials, skills, and experiences they require. If "MBA preferred" appears repeatedly, or if the skills listed map closely to an MBA curriculum (business essentials, innovation, leadership), that's a meaningful signal.
Why pursue an MBA degree now, specifically? Motivations tend to fall into two buckets:
Neither is wrong, and most people have a mix of both. But naming your motivations honestly helps you choose a program that delivers what you actually need, and it helps you stay grounded when coursework gets demanding.
If your motivation is primarily about salary, it's worth researching realistic MBA salary data for your target field and region. The bump can be substantial, but it varies widely by industry, role, and location.
In addition to whether to pursue it at all, when to get an MBA degree is an important consideration. The best time to get an MBA isn't the same for everyone; some professionals benefit from going early to accelerate their trajectory, while others gain more from waiting until they have several years of work experience to bring to the classroom.
Reflect on:
There's no perfect window, just what works best for you. The goal is to enter an MBA program with enough margin to engage with it fully.
The benefits of an MBA extend beyond just higher earning potential. Earning this credential can also unlock:
Reflecting on the above can help you determine the holistic ROI of an MBA when it comes to your unique career goals.
Whether or not to pursue an MBA is a big decision that only you can make after reflecting on your long-term career vision and what kind of impact you’d like your work to have.
If you’re ready to explore your options, Calvin University's hybrid MBA program is built for those ready to lead with purpose. Our faith-based approach emphasizes that business leadership is a form of service, challenging you to make strategic decisions that honor both your organization’s goals and the people it affects.
You'll move through the program with a tight-knit cohort of diverse professionals, tackle real-world business challenges alongside industry experts, and complete most coursework online in a flexible format that fits around your career.
For a deeper dive into how an MBA can hone your innovation and leadership skills to prepare you for what's next, download our free guide: From Experience to Leadership: When an MBA Makes Sense for Your Career.