Horan, a brand strategist who obtained her MBA at NYU, says she worked on a marketing campaign for a chocolate company that needed to raise sales during the sluggish summer months during her MBA degree. According to her, such projects assist MBA students in obtaining real-world experience.
When Does It Make Sense to Combine an MBA with Another Graduate Degree?
According to MBA graduates, prospective students should consider whether they need two graduate degrees before pursuing an MBA and another degree concurrently in a dual-degree or joint-degree program. Of course, earning two degrees simultaneously is psychologically and financially difficult, so it’s not for everyone. Still, it could be a smart option for people who have a genuine interest in two programs and a solid plan for how they’ll use each degree.
“Don’t fall in love with the concept that you want to go into that type of program for vanity reasons,” Reeves says. “That J.D.-MBA would look extremely fantastic on your résumé.”
He also emphasizes the importance of convincing rationale for seeking a dual-degree program that shows why a single advanced degree will not be sufficient.
According to Sangster, people considering a J.D.-MBA should be aware that business executives and business lawyers have quite distinct mindsets. According to her, corporate leaders are often willing to take daring chances if the rewards are substantial.
Meanwhile, corporate attorneys typically aim to reduce risks, as their role is to identify the prospect of legal harm and mitigate the threat of legal fines. As a result, combining the two skills can be difficult, according to Sangster.
Make Your Own Decision: Is an MBA Worth It?
According to Nirav Mehta, associate director of MBA admissions at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, the most valuable aspect of an MBA degree is the relationships students form with their classmates and teachers.
“The real value of an MBA is membership in a lifelong learning group and access to the alumni network,” Mehta noted in an email. “The network as a whole provides an active source of personal and professional support. In addition, the contacts made via the MBA program can be life-changing, and these partnerships aid in job transfers long after graduation.”