Why an MBA

            I had never considered and would have proudly denied pursuing a graduate degree in the past. In my world, I was focusing on a career in a computer technical capacity, and never really understood the value or the connection the two would have, until recently. We all continue to grow and expand our specialties throughout our entire life. But a natural progression of growth is not enough. A successful technical career will not insure climbing the corporate ladder. But a graduate degree can and should be part of a career plan to open up opportunities for promotions within the company or with other job opportunities outside your current company.
             Promotions occur every day. Various reasons abound as to why promotions take place: who you know, what you know, number of years of service, extraordinary accomplishments and highly successful sales deals, to name a few. But why do the promotions seem to go to someone else? How can one increase their odds of receiving the promotion? According to John Hoscheete "The source of your disappointment probably has nothing to do with the company or the career you chose. The problem most likely lies with your career plan." (Hoscheete, 1999, p. 70-74). Most companies have departments or managers that can assist in establishing a career plan. Even with their assistance, you are the only one who in the end will be in control or care about this plan. Advantages for a Graduate Degree are realized by both the employee and the employer. George Bickerstaffe's article on Firm backing to put careers back on course states in a survey result; "Most respondents claimed that people with an MBA had increased self-awareness and self-confidence and better management skills. They believed, too, that organizations benefited from increase knowledge and competencies through accelerated growth and better innovation." (Bickerstaffe, 2002, p. 3). .
             So why a graduate degree? Do you want the visibility and control of the opportunities in existence around you? Creating a career plan that includes a graduate degree is a first step.