For the returning student, the process of deciding on and applying to school and then earning an advanced business degree is seldom simple. But the good news about being a mature student is that you’ll probably get much more out of it, because there is more of you to take to the classroom—more experience, better judgment, clearer goals, and a greater appreciation for learning. The bad news is that your life will be more “squeezed” than it would have been before you took on all of life’s responsibilities, particularly balancing work and family. In general, however, later is often better than sooner when it comes to getting a graduate-level business degree.
For mature women and men alike, there are many things to consider before upending your life to pursue an advanced business degree. If you are trying to determine if an advanced business degree is really the key to where you want to go, find ways to network with people whose lives and career goals are similar to yours. You might discover that a variety of routes could lead you to your desired goal.
Ten Tips for Returning Students
DECIDING
o Be sure an advanced business degree is the best route to where you want to go.
o Make your own decision, using a blend of logic and intuition.
o Be a discerning customer; ask hard questions about which programs best meet your needs.
ARRIVING
o Learn to market yourself.
o Be sure your support system is in order—at home and at work.
o Review your skills—technical, quantitative, written, and oral
o Measure your confidence level
o Get your life in shape before you begin
THRIVING
o Ascertain your most effective learning
o Find a group of friends/colleagues right away; collaboration is the key to success
Be True To Yourself
It’s essential that you make your own decision about whether and where to apply, using a both logic and intuition. Though an advanced business degree requires strong quantitative skills, you’ll also need good organizational, decision-making, and communication skills. For returning students, success in an advanced business degree program is often due more to life and work experience than technical knowledge alone. Use these assets along with your intuition in deciding whether this is really the right step for you.
Be an informed and demanding customer at the front end of the process. Ask hard questions about how well a school is prepared to respond to your concerns, such as cultural openness, support for students who are also parents, and flexibility and accommodations. Later, the ball will be in their court later, but in the first half of the game be aggressive about getting the information you need. For more mature students, the philosophy, resources, and services of the school can be much more important than ranking or reputation.
The application stage is also a great time to practice your marketing skills. This may be the first of many times when you’ll have to convince someone of your worth. This is a good time to figure out what you really have to offer a particular school and to adjust to the notion of lifelong self-advocacy.
As you begin the difficult task of self-assessment, be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. If your technical, quantitative, or communication competencies are up to par, spend a year or so getting up to speed in these areas. You’ll be expected to be familiar with the basics of accounting. Much of your work may be online and you’ll be required to use programs such as Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. So use the time after you have completed your applications to do some studying on your own and become comfortable with these disciplines before you even enroll.
Once you begin attending classes, you will find that connecting with classmates is critical. You may be assigned to project teams, but seek out your own support group as well. Join study groups and relevant student organizations. In business school, as in business itself, collaboration and networking are everything!
Becoming a student again is a great adventure—earning an advanced business degree will tax you, test you, stretch you, and reward you. But only you can know if it is right for you. When you applied to college as a high school student, you thought you had all the answers; now, although you still don’t have all the answers, you know much more than you think.
Barbara B. Reinhold, Ed.D.
Former Director
Career Development and Executive Education for Women
Smith College
