“What do you want to do after you graduate from business school?”
This seemingly simple question actually can be one of the most difficult to answer eloquently, especially given its importance. Above all else, business schools want to know they are making a good investment with every admittance, and your future goals play an important role in proving them right. Knowing how to think about your MBA goals and present them effectively can be the defining feature that gets you into your dream program.
Developing a strong MBA goals statement is a key aspect of Personal MBA Coach’s comprehensive package. Find out more about them here!
As you begin to reflect upon and articulate your goals, consider these six pieces of advice.
1) Be decisive
While you may have gotten into undergrad with essays claiming you are unsure of your future, it is unlikely you will get into a good MBA program with the same strategy. Most schools want to admit students with clear plans of what comes next — they want to make a good investment, and decisive plans increase that probability.
Keep in mind that ultimately, no one is holding you to what you write in these essays. So, if you are unsure of which goal you will pursue, pick your top choice and run with it. Keep in mind, for some essays you will also need to explain how you came to those goals and why they are important to you, though that is not required for every essay. At Personal MBA Coach, we discuss ideal goals on a case-by-case basis to provide individuals with the best advice for their unique situation and MBA goals.
2) Be consistent
Your goals should be YOUR goals. This means they should not vary from one MBA application to the next. Candidates can lose credibility by changing their goals to please the audience, and it can be difficult to articulate true passion (see point 6 below) for goals that are not genuine.
3) Have ambitious but attainable career goals
Everyone wants to be a vice president, but most will fall short, especially at the beginning of their career. It is simply not attainable to only reach for the stars, and your MBA program wants to know what you plan to do on your way to the top.
You will need to do some research while you write your goal statement for MBA programs — what positions are realistic for you? How might your past work experience help or hinder you in this field? What kind of qualifications can you expect to have at the end of your program? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you find options that push you without being unreasonable in your expectations.
4) Consider a logical career pathway
Once you have a launching point, a clear path to your dream job is much easier to see. Now, you can dream bigger (but still, be realistic) as long as you can paint a logical picture from point A to point Z. Pave the way with short-term goals that challenge where you are and function as stepping stones to your future.
Whatever long-term goal you are aiming for, make sure the path there makes sense to the reader. Whether you want to rise through the ranks and stay at the same company for your entire career or make a long-term career switch, be confident in your values, choices and career goals for your MBA, and the Admissions Committee will be, too.
5) Make yourself appear unique
Even if you have a common career goal, such as becoming a management consultant or an investment banker, you must display how you will leave a unique mark. Perhaps you intend to develop a specific area of expertise within the consulting industry or focus on a certain sector. Stating the position you want to achieve is only the beginning — think deeper and share how you plan to improve your chosen company or field.
6) Articulate passion
To create a strong career goals essay, you must communicate your passion for your future field. You do not need a long-winded explanation for why you chose a particular career path. However, as you provide the context and discuss your future, the reader should clearly see you are excited about this profession. Sharing what drove you to this field and identifying current innovations that particularly intrigue you are ways to show such passion.
For more on how to think about your MBA goals, watch this quick tips video.
Looking for Help With Your MBA Application?
Career goals for MBA students are as varied as the people applying for admission. At Personal MBA Coach, we recognize this and take a one-on-one approach to each of our client’s goals. With one of our comprehensive packages, you will be assigned an experienced MBA admissions consultant to assist you from the start of your application until you have accepted admittance into your ideal program. From essay editing and resume development to interview preparation and more, we remain by your side to assist you wherever you need.
Our staff knows how to get clients accepted into their target schools because we are past admissions counselors and business students ourselves. We have worked in the world’s leading MBA programs and offer you exclusive insights into what your schools want to hear from you. With a 96% success rate, our efforts are proven. More than that, our students take home millions in scholarship money every cycle.
Explore your options today and see why people like you have chosen Personal MBA Coach for more than 17 years.
