As you sit behind your desk at the end of the workday, you find yourself wondering, Is this job really the right fit for me? When you start to think about the last few months, you realize you’ve been wondering that for a while now. You’ve always had getting an MBA program in the back of your mind, thinking it could be the next step, but the timing never seemed right.
Have you ever thought maybe these feelings about work are a sign that you’re ready? As it turns out, there are actually several things about your job that can prove it’s time for you to get your MBA. See if these five sound familiar.
1. You feel stuck in your current job, like there’s no room for upward mobility.
Do you feel static in your current position? Maybe your skills aren’t being tapped, or you feel like your contributions aren’t valued. Maybe your boss’s job as a director is coming open, but it requires 10 years of experience, and you only have three. Whatever situation you’re in, you feel like it’s keeping you from ever moving up, in or outside of your current job.
2. A promotion within your current organization is only possible with an MBA.
Maybe that director’s position that just opened up is something you really want, and the description states that an MBA is required as an alternative to years of experience. You could still apply and probably get an interview since you’re already a manager, but without the MBA, your chances are slim. You begin to question whether or not you really see yourself there long-term.
3. Other job openings you’ve seen are only available to those with MBAs.
Since you’re feeling stuck at this point, you make your way over to some job sites in your free time, just to check out what might be available outside of your company. But once you get there, you start seeing a trend. “MBA required” or “MBA preferred” seems to be a qualification for every job you’d be interested in. Who knew MBAs were in such demand?
4. You’re applying for new jobs, but are losing out to people who have MBAs.
Maybe you decide you’d be willing to work somewhere new, so you actually start applying for some of these jobs. But every job you apply for goes to someone who has an MBA—even the ones that don’t state it as a requirement. You even lose out on the one you had a really great interview for. They tell you that although you seem highly qualified, they have the chance to hire a similar candidate with an MBA, so they’re going in that direction.
5. You’re investing a lot of time into your career, but aren’t seeing positive results.
You know having a strong and successful career would be fulfilling, but investing this much of yourself into your career so far without seeing the results you want is anything but. You don’t want to become one of those stuck-in-a-job-that-I-hate people, but that might be where your current path is leading.
Maybe it really is time for your MBA.
Do you want even more signs to look for—in all areas of your life—to know if you might be ready for an MBA program? If so, download this free ebook with 32 ways to know, as well as quotes from real students about how they knew an MBA was right for them. It might just help you make your own decision.