Navigating the Journey: 6 Tips to Earn Your MBA While Working Full-Time

Have you ever heard the call to expand your career skills? Perhaps you’re looking to bolster your resume and become a leader in your field. Earning your Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree can propel you to the next level of your career. It’s never a good idea to delay your professional growth, but if you are balancing a full-time job, face limited free time or juggle other responsibilities, you might also wonder, “Is now the right time for an MBA?” 

The short answer is YES! Now is always a good time to invest in yourself and your future.

Earning your MBA while working full-time is certainly demanding, but it's also rewarding, with long-term benefits far beyond the classroom. The key to success is being deliberate with your time and energy, and correctly setting expectations that are an honest reflection of your bandwidth. How? Read on!

Six Strategies for Success

1. Be realistic about time management. The secret to balancing a full-time job, a personal life, and a new educational commitment is time management skills. Talk to current MBA students, guidance counselors and your family to see what kind of schedule your life can handle now and in the future. Creating a detailed schedule that includes specific time slots for work, study, family, and relaxation—and then being accountable to that schedule—is a smart way to ensure you make progress in your MBA program. Remember, many programs, including those at Herzing, offer students flexible options to help navigate all aspects of their life. Consider how those programs can lead to greater success.
2. Set achievable goals. Once you see how much time you can devote to an MBA program, consider how you can break it down into realistic goals, step-by-step. Having specific objectives will keep you motivated and focused, every step of the way. Perhaps you can manage part-time learning with a full-time job, perhaps you can do more. Consider all the ways a specialized MBA or general Master's program will mean for your professional goals and determine what course works best for you.
3. Choose the right program for you. Some MBA programs are designed to be accelerated courses, while some are more at your own pace. Some are in-person, and many are online. Finding the MBA program that best fits your schedule and bandwidth is paramount to success. Look into each program, and see how it will work with your long-term career goals as well as what your lifestyle can handle at this moment.
4. Research partnership opportunities and transferrable credits.  For some programs, like those at Herzing, you likely have transferrable credits or can use previous work experience to put towards your degree, saving time and money. Herzing's partnership opportunities can provide you with important new networks, access to industry resources, and even financial support. Utilizing these partnerships can boost your overall MBA experience and open new career doors.  
5. Let your employer and peers know. Once you have decided to pursue your MBA, let your employer know. Many companies encourage—and possibly invest in—an employee’s desire for higher education, especially if it has benefits to their own goals. Also, connecting with other students in your MBA program can be a valuable support system where you can share the challenges and insights of going through the program together.  
6. Take care of yourself. Burnout is real—and the best way to combat it is to allow for rest and rejuvenation. Include time to recharge your battery, refocus your priorities, and reenergize for your goals. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance includes recognizing when you take on too much, asking for support, and knowing when to take a break. Staying physically active, getting enough sleep, and staying connected with family and friends also go a long way in ensuring you are taking care of your well-being while you pursue both professional and academic goals.

Now is the best time to take the next step in your career. Explore Herzing’s flexible online MBA programs and credit transfer programs to ensure your pathway is smooth and successful. Herzing’s online Career Center is a wealth of information about the programs that could be right for you and resources to help answer your questions. Don’t delay you can do this!