Help, my background isn’t in business!
If you are considering studying to obtain your MBA but you are worried that you don’t have enough of a business background, leave your fears behind! Don’t let your previous background be the reason you don’t get your MBA. When I started my Goizueta Evening MBA in 2018, I was worried that I would trail behind in my cohort. After all I didn’t have a business background, and I had been out of school for eight years. I received my bachelor’s degree in environmental studies in 2010 from the University of Michigan. I have a background in implementation consulting so had learned some business on the job but not in an academic environment. Concepts like amortization and managerial accounting mystified me.
Fast forward to the fall of 2021, I am a few years of great learning and networking and one class from graduation. I have felt confident enough in my studies to take on extracurriculars like student government, and I recently made the dean’s list. I have other classmates with backgrounds in nonprofits, the arts, medicine—our “non” business backgrounds provide an important contribution to diversity of thought to our cohort and classes. Sure, there were certain classes that took more studying and challenged me more than others. But this is true for mostly everyone. It’s important to keep in mind that your unique nontypical background will make Goizueta a richer place to learn, especially with an Evening MBA program. A huge part of your experience is learning about the business challenges your classmates are facing in real time, across industries (even “non” business industries have business problems). At Goizueta you will be surrounded by people who have a passion and drive to learn more, regardless of our background. No matter your historical experience, I am confident you can find your place and flourish at Goizueta.