Brought to you by Victoria University:

An MBA is a popular course across the globe, with many students taking part every year, allowing them to gain experience and strengthen their business management knowledge. But have you found yourself wondering what the benefit could be as a woman earning your MBA? Will it provide you with more high-earning positions and allow you to smash the glass ceiling? Or will it promise more than it can deliver?

That’s what we’re here to find out! This brief guide outlines the benefits of earning an MBA as a woman and how you could use yours to change your career!

What is an MBA?

An MBA is a master’s in business administration, a postgraduate degree designed for professionals to develop their leadership skills and business management knowledge. An MBA focuses on providing students with real-world experience, helping them take the theories they’ve learned and put them into practice to achieve business success.

The courses usually take two years to complete full-time, although there are online and part-time options that allow you to fit the course in around your work, family life, and other commitments.

What are the Benefits of Women Earning an MBA?

Earning an MBA as a woman has several benefits, including expanding your network, enhancing your skills, and boosting your self-confidence. We’ve outlined the top benefits below so you can learn more and see if an MBA is the right choice for you.

It Provides a Global, Professional Network

Networking can play a key role in the success of your business or career, but finding people to extend your network with can be tricky. An MBA gives you a helping hand, introducing you to a global network of professionals. Through this network, you can learn from the experience of other female leaders, gaining invaluable insight that can help you avoid the mistakes of others or pick up useful tips.

A strong, global network can also increase your visibility and credibility, helping you to increase your chances of moving into leadership positions. With an MBA, you have access to an international network, which can help you establish connections that can be helpful when expanding your business out of Australia or another country. Many female MBA colleagues progress into roles recommended by members of their network, either from their MBA class or international connections they’ve made through networking.

It Can Enhance Your Soft Skills and Your Knowledge

An MBA is designed to increase your knowledge of business management, giving you the necessary leadership skills to succeed, but it can also help develop your soft skills. The management and leadership training helps you develop skills in a diverse group of like-minded people. Not only will you experience diversity within your MBA program, but this can promote diversity in your daily life as a manager.

You can also expect your time management, team building, and risk assessment skills to develop throughout the course, helping you become a more successful and competent manager and leader.

It Can Increase Your Self-Confidence

By studying for an MBA, you can also increase your self-confidence, which will help you feel more comfortable and confident in your leadership role. Your MBA will teach you how to defend your point of view, strengthen your powers of persuasion, and take on challenges confidently.

An MBA can also help you sharpen your understanding of your role as a leader, helping you feel more confident in your decisions and your future.

It Provides Access to Resources

During your MBA studies, you will have access to not only a network of people but also resources. Everything from the course materials to the professors delivering the modules are fantastic resources for you to use, learning as much as possible. The resources in your MBA program are designed to develop your understanding of business practices and put them into action.

The resources can also be revisited after your MBA, allowing you to refresh your memory, double-check that you’re making the right decision, or continue your education as your career progresses.

It Can Help Develop Your Career

Finally, an MBA can help develop your career. Not only does it provide you with the knowledge and experience you need to succeed, but the qualification sets you apart from other applicants.

Women with MBAs can apply for higher-paid roles and are more likely to be offered promotions and leadership roles than others in their companies. Employers view an MBA as proof of your knowledge, allowing you to put the knowledge into practice and succeed in leadership roles.

Final Thoughts

An MBA is a fantastic course for women who want to progress in leadership roles or start their own businesses. It provides you with a foundation of knowledge and plenty of real-world experiences that help you become a more confident and competent manager.