When does it make sense to earn your MBA?

From a young age, we’re taught that education is the vehicle that can take you wherever you need to go in your career. While increasing your level of education is never a bad thing, it requires more critical thinking and tough decision-making with each additional level you pursue.

Many professionals are faced with a tough question once they enter the workforce: Is a graduate degree necessary to pursue my career goals? For many, the question is whether to pursue a master’s of business administration degree. MBA programs are one of the most common graduate degree programs for professionals, because this type of graduate degree can be applied to so many professions.

So how do you determine if earning an MBA is what’s best for you and your career? Here are four reasons getting an MBA could make sense for you.

* If your employer will cover part or all of the costs. Many employers want their employees to grow with the company and be able to transition easily into a management role when the time is right. Obtaining your MBA is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for a management role, so your employer may be happy to assist you in that venture. Online MBA programs are becoming more and more popular, and usually offer the flexibility to learn while you remain in your current job – a bonus for you and your employer.

* You find yourself needing another marketable skill. You may find that your resume falls a little flat for the types of careers you want to pursue. Obtaining an MBA is an effective way to bolster your qualifications, and you’ll be able to market what you’ve learned in your master’s program when the time comes for an interview – and then apply that extra knowledge once you’re on the job.

* You know you want to be in management. It’s possible to advance to the ranks of management without earning a graduate degree, but an MBA can improve your chances. Not only can it help you get a job in management, it can give you the managerial skills to excel in your role once you get the job.

* You have time to do it. Even if earning an MBA makes sense on other levels, you should have the time you need to commit to a graduate program. Finding flexible online MBA programs with course options that fit perfectly into your schedule might be exactly what you need to successfully obtain your degree.