Why choose an MBA after an engineering degree?

An MBA has become the prized higher education goal for those looking to accelerate their careers and develop the management skills needed to lead their industries.

The versatility of a Master of Business Administration means that graduates from all disciplines - science, humanities, technology, and engineering - can supplement their bachelor’s studies to take their careers to the next level.

Engineering graduates in particular have been attracted to MBA programmes in recent years, both online and on-campus. So why do engineering graduates choose an MBA after their degree?

Learn the art of management

Engineering degrees help students develop the technical skills needed to solve practical problems in the physical world, building on science and technology. As many engineers would testify, things are often very black or white in engineering.

When it comes to managing business or leading teams however, people quickly find out that there are more nuanced grey areas to navigate. An MBA helps engineering students tackle larger and more abstract strategic problems, instead of the structured engineering-focused problems they would have faced before.

This means learning how to manage people and how to systematise business structures effectively. Organising the talents of a skilled workforce is the key to making sure they can help the business succeed, and is an ability that an MBA nurtures in students.

Build bridges

Building the bridges between science, engineering, technology, and everyday life is a key part of helping talented technical experts utilise their skills.

Being able to create, invent, and find innovative solutions to technical problems is no good unless we can find ways to apply them to real world problems and get them into the right markets.

Skilled leaders with the engineering knowledge and business leadership skills are the important link between these realms, and help realise the ideas that shape our world. An MBA equips students with these very leadership skills, and helps them utilise the talent and skills of those working in the field of engineering.

Combine learning and experience

A well-trodden pathway for successful leaders in the field of engineering has been to complete their MBAs after gaining a little work experience. Some MBA programmes are keen on applicants having at least a year of work experience before joining the programmes, and many encourage studying alongside work via an online MBA programme.

Getting work experience during or before an MBA programme can be a great way to supplement your learning, and understand how the theories learned on the course apply to solving real day problems. It is certain to make your skills and knowledge in engineering even more valuable to employers.