By Gale Nichols | Executive Director of the Kelley Full-Time MBA
Are you ready for a new career? Do you need a new career because of industry upheavals? A high-quality 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. If you think we’re a good fit, consider applying—we’re accepting applications for fall.
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 non-business 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 non-profit fundraising, R&D, the 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—for instance, 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 that are very valuable: for instance, skills in project management, negotiation, relationship-building, teamwork, or research. 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.
I have been working in business, but I’m ready for a change—new challenges, more impact, and responsibility. How can the Kelley 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. All of this will prepare you for more challenging and impactful roles post-MBA.
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 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 that will prepare you well for your new career.
My career just took an unexpected turn and this might be a good time for me to get an MBA. Is it too late to apply for your fall program start?
No, it’s not too late! We are still accepting applications for our fall cohort. You can look at our website to learn more about our program and schedule a counseling appointment with a member of our admissions team to talk about your application. We offer the option to apply for a GMAT/GRE waiver, too—take a look at our admissions requirements. And we still have merit-based financial aid available.
There are so many options for getting an MBA. Why should I consider Kelley?
We’re a top-20 program without the top-tier sticker price. 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.