Going for the degree

While there's a lot to be said for lessons learnt in the university of life, the benefits of having a fat qualification on your record just cannot be discounted. If two candidates made it to the final round of a job opening for a restaurant advertising agent, the one with the MBA is sure to pique the interest, more so than the other with five years experience managing an uncle's corner café. Graduating with a Masters degree in business is a massive achievement that cannot and will not be overlooked in the interview process. It takes an enormous amount of dedication and commitment to complete an MBA, or any business degree for that matter. It will fling doors wide open for you, even if you've just graduated. No university sends their students into the world without having put them through a compulsory internship programme. That way they get an idea of the world they're about to enter and have an opportunity to prepare themselves accordingly. If a potential employer needs assurance that you're capable of starting a project and seeing it through to its end, then your degree will definitely provide that.

Last word

So what’s best – wing it on natural business sense or spend a few years getting a qualification? Not everyone is cut out for a career in business, but if you were born to be a tycoon or you’ve just studied everything there is on how to become one, the world is all yours. However, even those with a natural knack benefit from a little academic insight into the business game. Thanks to technology, the way business is conducted changes constantly, and those who don’t stay abreast of those changes get left behind. The verdict? Knuckle down and get that education, whether it’s the five-year degree or short, comprehensive business courses as you work and learn. The grim reality is simply this: the days of business based on intuition and charm are over. It’s all about staying up-to-date with the trends, knowing how to analyze them and using that knowledge to gain an advantage. When the competition gets ahead, it’s because they know something you don’t and they’ve applied that knowledge to be faster, more streamlined and a lot more efficient. Education really is everything, so whether you’re sweating through your MBA or attending refresher courses on the latest technical programs, you’re making the right investment in your future. Make notes along the way too: the road to success is an education in itself.

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