17 January 2012 | Chris Atkins
It may take time, effort and finances, but an MBA provides valuable rewards, both personally and for your career.
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a significant undertaking in terms of
time, effort and finances, yet it can be hugely rewarding both personally and for your career. Although the MBA is fundamentally a generalist management programme, as a procurement professional it offers you the chance to both enhance your purchasing expertise and broaden your business knowledge.
But the most valuable aspects of pursuing the qualification are ultimately the opportunity an
MBA allows to expand your network, develop
your personal style and reflect upon your career.
Having completed my CIPS graduate diploma on
a predominantly self-study basis, I was keen
to continue studying in some capacity and have
the opportunity to learn from and discuss topics with others.
Positive experience
As I began researching my options, MBAs became increasingly attractive, with many business schools offering impressive programmes that went far beyond academic lecturing and incorporated things like personal development workshops, career coaching, international trips, guest speaker events, conferences, charity projects and many more. I was also struck by the number of MBA graduates I spoke to who were overwhelmingly positive about their experience.
International environment
I’ve always enjoyed working in an international environment and this is very much part of the
MBA experience. Student cohorts are inevitably extremely diverse in nature, with people hailing from all around the world and from many different professions and backgrounds.
The group that made up my Durham Business School MBA included individuals from medical, military, political, and legal walks of life, as well
as entrepreneurs, a reality TV star and people
from a wide range of different business backgrounds. Not only have I extended my professional network with a number of capable, ambitious people, but I also gained a great (and interesting) group of friends.
Future direction
Perhaps the single biggest benefit the MBA provided for me was a unique opportunity to consider my own future direction, aspirations and, perhaps most crucially, fully understand my strengths. With exposure to a range of people and experiences (and simply the time to reflect), I was able to confirm in my own mind exactly what I enjoyed on a professional level and where I could offer value.
Research project
The final part of most MBA programmes involves a research project of your own choosing. This gives you the opportunity to spend a period focused
on a specific topic in which you have an interest and allows you to deepen your knowledge
in your own area of specialism or learn about something completely new.
Category management was a term I had
heard used frequently within the profession,
but never really felt I had a full understanding
of its application, so as part of the MBA I was
able to undertake an interesting project looking
at this area.
Valued qualification
Many people embark on an MBA in order to help facilitate a career change, but I found it equally valuable as someone intending to continue in their chosen profession.
There’s no doubt that an MBA is a respected qualification and valued by recruiters for both
the technical knowledge students emerge with
and the personal self-motivation it infers. My Durham MBA helped me take a step up in my career and secure a role with buyingTeam prior
to graduation.
If you’re up for a challenge, curious and happy to throw yourself into a strange environment then an MBA might be for you.
3 Key points
1. Expand your network Students come from a variety of backgrounds
2. Develop your style There are ample opportunities to build on your strengths
3. Reflect on your career There’s time to consider the future
☛ Chris Atkins is a procurement specialist at buyingTeam
