By Gale Nichols | Executive Director of the Kelley MBA Program  

Are you ready for a new career? Do you need a new career but can’t decide where to start? A high-quality, full-time MBA program like ours is one of the quickest ways to prepare for new and better-paying opportunities in the business world—regardless of your current career.  

This Q&A covers concerns we hear from prospective students who wonder if they have what it takes to succeed in business—or in a top 20 MBA program like ours. It also discusses what +Flex could mean for you in our dynamic, reimagined Full-Time +Flex MBA Program. If you think we’re a good fit, consider applying or connecting with us to learn more.  

Is it really possible to start a new—and successful—career in business? Can you share some examples of students who made career pivots from nonbusiness backgrounds?   

Yes! We have had many students who entered the MBA program without having worked in business. Some of these students were teachers, musicians, and arts management professionals. Others worked in nonprofit fundraising, R&D, medical professions, engineering, and computer science. Students like these have sometimes pivoted into an industry related to their prior work—for instance, a physical therapist who moved into business development for a medical devices company. Others have transitioned into completely new areas, such as professional musicians who launched careers in investment banking or teachers who became consultants.  

Do students who have little or no business background get left behind in the program?  

The diversity of students’ backgrounds is a strength of the program because they bring such a wide range of skills and experiences and learn from each other. Students who don’t have prior business experience often bring other skills—project management, negotiation, relationship-building, teamwork, or research skills—that are very valuable. In the first semester of the program, students are assigned to a Core team that by design includes students with different backgrounds. This enables the team members to support each other and benefit from others’ knowledge.  

Will I receive the immersive experiences and academics I need to achieve my career goals with the new Full-Time +Flex format? 

Yes—you’ll still receive a traditional, full-time MBA experience. But we now offer the option of completing your second-year classes online with Kelley’s pioneering online MBA program. And regardless of your professional background, you’ll gain a deep understanding of your career choice when you participate in one of our first-year Career Foundation Academies, which focus on business operations, consulting, marketing, and finance. The Academies provide remarkable access to industry leaders, mentorship, personalized career coaching, skill building, and real-world experience, and they prepare you for your summer internship. If you opt to +Flex after your internship, you’ll take classes online with the same Kelley professors who teach in person, and you will experience Kelley’s advanced virtual classrooms. If you return to Bloomington for your second year you will participate in more experiential learning opportunities, optional Academies, and in-person coaching, recruiting, and networking with your peers. 

I have been working in business, but I’m ready for new challenges and more impact. How can the Full-Time +Flex MBA help me achieve this?   

Your MBA Academy and coursework will give you a chance to “skill up” and propel your business career forward, whether you stay in the same functional area that you were in pre-Kelley or move into a new one. You’ll have the opportunity to explore a new area—whether it’s consulting, finance, marketing, or operations—through your Academy, and your coursework will give you broader business skills. Experiences like GLOBASE will help you strengthen your understanding of global business. Participation in clubs and class projects will build your teamwork and leadership skills. You can participate in all of these transformative experiences during your first 10 months in Bloomington and continue with the in-person learning, networking, and professional development after your internship. If you choose to +Flex your second year with online classes, you can take advantage of a job offer, travel opportunities, or potential cost savings by returning to your family or living wherever you’d like to begin your new career.  

I’m interested in several different career paths and, to be honest, I haven’t yet decided which one to follow. Should I hold off on an MBA?  

An MBA program is a great way to explore different career paths, industries, and companies. During the Me, Inc. professional development program at Kelley, you’ll spend several weeks before classes begin reflecting on your skills, interests, goals, and values. You will learn about our different Career Foundation Academies and then choose one, where you’ll hear from alumni and other professionals in a variety of roles and companies. You’ll also have experiential learning opportunities through your Academy and summer internship that will prepare you well for your new career.   

Why should I consider Kelley with so many MBA options?   

We’re a top 20 program without the top-tier sticker price. We’re also the first and only traditional, full-time MBA program where you can complete your MBA second year online, with the #1 Kelley Direct Online MBA. Kelley offers superb professional development, academics, and career outcomes but is far more affordable than our peer schools because Indiana University is a public university, and our location has a lower cost of living. Thanks to the low cost, our generous merit-based scholarships (awarded to more than 90% of our students), and the great career outcomes achieved by our students, our ROI is among the best for top MBA programs.    

Ready to apply? Start the process now.