MBA - now what?

You have successfully completed your MBA program. You knew from the beginning that this wouldn't mean an immediate quantum leap. However, it should at least be a career and salary booster - but sometimes even that is missing. It could be that you hold a position that does not allow further promotion; or you may have gotten the MBA in order to stabilize a position. Increased employment opportunities and the prospect of a larger paycheck are, of course, dependent on the type of program one completes: some companies only hire graduates from top business schools.

In many cases, the increase in salary is connected to an increase in cost of living. This is a typically American problem because many MBA graduates move to bigger cities (like New York City) where the cost of living is higher than average. Ask yourself about the 'opportunity costs' in the next five years: How much more money am I earning now, than if I hadn't gotten an MBA?  Then calculate the amortization of your MBA education: "When will I have won back the money I invested in my MBA?"

Before all else, one should look at 'management' as a broad concept that does not only refer to levels of authority of financial service providers. Non-profit organizations and public authorities are sometimes also in desperate need of 'management'. The privatization of public services demands educated specialists who can think in the new structure. This opens new horizons for  MBA graduates.

The changes in the health system and pension funds also open new areas of business. These are only a few examples to prove that MBA graduates can be successful in places other than headquarters of worldwide banks.

Two possibilities are open for MBA graduates:

-Return to the previous place of employment in hopes of the opportunity to advance (if the company paid for the education, you may even have to return there). The returning employee mostly sees the company through different eyes than before, which can inspire new impulses. However, he/she can also be accused of trying to disturb the existing system. Due to this, it is imperative to maintain a balance and follow through with useful changes without scaring away old colleagues. Ideally, one succeeds in inspiring the personnel with new ideas. However, the possibility exists that some employees leave the company because they are not ready to play a part in the new system. 

-The second possibility is to search for a new company - a new challenge. In this case one falls, once again, into a paradox: on one hand, the combination of a specialized education plus an MBA can be the key to many branches and positions (the 'classic' ones are marketing, consulting and investment banking).  On the other hand, an MBA is not always a huge advantage. The title is indeed welcomed, but must stand up against the competition with different educational backgrounds and the experience of other applicants.