Why do you want an MBA?

image: nicola wilcox

by: Grayson Leverenz

It’s the single most important question to ask yourself as you begin considering an MBA. Why do you want it?

I always knew I would get an MBA. My mom had a Masters degree; clearly that means I should have one, too. Plus, global business has fascinated me since I was about 12. I added those two factors together, and an MBA was the logical choice.

But, it had to be deeper than that. I couldn’t invest $100,000; I couldn’t even write my admissions essays based on the fact that my MOM had a Masters degree so I should, too. I needed to figure out why I wanted an MBA.

I started thinking about it. I realized I hopped around from job to job after graduating from college, but hadn’t found my career. I hadn’t found something that inspired me more often than it beat me down. Hmmm…now I was getting somewhere…

What did inspire me? What did I enjoy doing enough to want to do it for the next 40 years?

I thought and researched and talked to people I trust. I bought “What Color is Your Parachute,” and diligently completed every exercise. The answer was there as it had always been inside of me. One day, I’m going to be an intercultural consultant.

I asked myself do I need an MBA to be an intercultural consultant? Some would answer no, others would say yes. I was in the yes group. I wanted to learn everything possible about global business and global communication. I wanted to interact with future business leaders from all over the world. I wanted to study abroad, and I wanted an international internship. All of these things would set me on the path to fulfilling my dream.

From there I identified schools that fit with my goals and personality. I landed a spot at UNC Kenan-Flagler, my perfect school. While I was there, I did what I set out to do and more.

I took every class with the word Global in it. I studied in Germany. I worked in Rio. I was co-VP of Marketing for the International Business Association, and Chair of the International Programs Advisory Board. And…you get the picture. If I had it to do over, the only thing I would do differently would be to take more Entrepreneurship classes.

I’ve heard of a school that attaches your application essay to your diploma, a nice reminder of what you set out to do.

What are you setting out to do? Why do you want an MBA?

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