Studying an MBA After Computer Science
There are many questions that students ask after graduating from their studies, and amongst the most common ones are: “Should I continue my studies with a master’s?” “Is it possible to do a master’s degree in another field than the one chosen for my undergraduate studies?” “Would this investment be valuable later?” In this situation, you may find a student who has a Computer Science background but wants to try something in a different field, such as Business Administration. Passion, curiosity, or even the salary offered may lead you to choose an MBA. Ask our experts for any questions you might have.
What Is an MBA?
A Master of Business Administration or MBA is a programme through which a student can obtain a degree in business management. After graduating from this programme, the student obtains skills and knowledge related to managing a business, becoming more credible in the labour market, and having higher chances of getting a larger salary. According to a recent study in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, 80% of the CEOs interviewed consider an MBA very important in becoming a top manager.
MBA after Computer Science: Is It Possible?
The answer to this question is YES. Usually, though, if you wish to pursue an MBA, you must meet certain conditions:
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) results must fit within the limits of your faculty;
- have satisfactory academic results and work experience;
- provide suitable recommendations from former employers or teachers.
If you are wondering what the GMAT is, well, it is a test in English that aims to assess your ability to communicate and your ability to quickly understand and solve some logical problems. There may also be additional requirements, depending on the faculty.
Relationship Between Business Administration and Computer Science
In the last decade, innovation and technology have been used by companies in all sectors (e.g. the energy, the automotive, and food industries). This has led to an increase in the quality of the services offered, a decrease in operational costs in companies, and has facilitated the processes of obtaining products and services. Whether we are talking about an e-commerce company, one that offers media services, or one that deals with transport services – a background in computer science is essential to understand the necessary infrastructure and programmes which you can use to run your business at a successful level. Internet and technology transform the environment we live in, as they stimulate competitiveness in the economic field and develop the industrial sector.
Advantages of Studying an MBA After Computer Science
If you are passionate about the economic sector and want to start your own start-up or become a good manager, you can study an MBA after completing a Computer Science degree. Usually, there are no restrictions in this regard. However, basic knowledge in Statistics, Finance, Accounting, and Marketing is usually needed in order to succeed. The MBA programme relies more on the practical side, and less on the theoretical. At the same time, there are many MBA programmes that rely on an internship as part of graduation.
Some of the best universities you can choose are: Stanford Graduate School of Business, Insead, London Business School, Harvard Business School, University of Chicago Booth, and Columbia Business School. At the same time, there are websites where you can study an MBA online, offering more flexibility. For example, Arden University offers graduates the opportunity to study an online MBA by providing an online learning platform called iLearn, in addition to dedicated tutor programmes.
Conclusion
In my opinion, your success in your work will always depend on how much you desire to learn something, no matter what background you have. Nowadays, with the phenomenon of globalisation, you cannot do business without technology, so a Computer Science background would be a plus when studying for an MBA. A quote that motivates me was stated by the American entrepreneur Drew Houston: “If you have a dream, you can spend a lifetime studying, planning, and getting ready for it. What you should be doing is getting started.”
So what about you? Do you have experience in studying an MBA after completing a degree in another subject area? EDUopinions would love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this topic!
Editor’s note: This article was first published on the 2nd of August 2018. We’ve updated it for current readers.
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