Choice Questions

As the number and complexity of managers’ responsibilities increase, MBA degrees have become an essential tool in competing and advancing in middle management careers. Business-degree seekers in the Twin Cities area can choose from more than a dozen MBA programs, many of which have sprung up in the past four years in response to this increased demand.

But with so many programs to choose from, it can be challenging to find just the right place. “The Twin Cities market is saturated with quality MBA programs, so take your time in selecting a program that meets your needs on a personal, professional, and academic level,” says Kimberly Craig, director of graduate and degree completion admission at Concordia University. “The overall fit is very important in your success as an MBA student.” We talked to several business school administrators to find out what questions prospective MBA students should be asking as they consider programs.

1. Why get an MBA?

If you propose to make the kind of investment in time and dollars that a post-graduate degree demands, you’d better be clear on why you want to get an MBA and what you expect to get from it. That’s why Bill Woodson, director of MBA programs at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business in Minneapolis counsels prospective students to ask “Why do I want an MBA? How will an MBA further my goals?”

An advanced degree is not a guaranteed ticket to success. (Think of the Ph.D. candidate who served you your low-foam half-caff skim latte this morning.) Despite what you see on The Apprentice, an MBA very rarely gets you a season on NBC, being bullied by Donald Trump while competing for his attention with cutthroat Omarosa types and washed-up stars of the little screen. Jeff Bieganek, the director of admissions and recruiting for MBA programs at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management in Minneapolis, encourages prospective students to ask “Where do I want to go next?” Do you want to get a promotion in the field where you already work, or a job or career change? Do you want a management position in your present company or the skills to start up a new business in your field? The chance to work in another country? Where do you see yourself in five years? Look for a program with a proven track record in the results that you want.