Staff Reporter
Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself or you simply hit a wall in your professional career, a good way to get ahead is to study an MBA.
There’s good reason to be skeptical since graduate studies can be expensive, but in the long run, the benefits of holding an MBA far outweigh its hefty price tag and personal investment of time and hard work.
There is high demand for MBA graduates. According to the QS Intelligence Unit’s 2016/17 annual survey of employers worldwide, there has been a 13% growth globally in jobs that require an MBA degree. The countries with the biggest markets for jobs requiring MBAs are the U.S., India and Brazil, with most openings within the finance, consulting and technology sectors. A large part of the value proposition for employers is soft skills, such as communication and critical analysis. These are developed during MBA programs through debates, collaborative activities, case-study analyses and presentations.
Increased pay is surely one of the main reasons to pursue an MBA. Graduates can expect a significant increase in salary after graduation, as employers acknowledge the advanced and specialized skills acquired during the program and financial investment in tuition fees. Another great reason to study an MBA is to move up to a high-level management position. As reported by Fortune, 40% of S&P 500 CEOs in any given year have an MBA. Many employers search specifically for MBA graduates in the hopes that they will grow with the organization.
Following on the heels of your decision to advance in your career is the question where to study an MBA? Well, that’s a no brainer. Barcelona is a great place to earn a high-quality business education, and for good reason.
Studying an MBA in Barcelona will double your learning. Not only will you be acquiring essential business skills in your program, but you’d also be part of a cosmopolitan city with sizeable multicultural and multilingual communities. With the city and beach at its doorstep and many flourishing businesses, Barcelona has also rapidly become a center for young, creative talent, with hundreds of startups and entrepreneurs embarking on business ventures here. Its reasonable cost of living and endless opportunities to immerse yourself in culture and the arts, to play sports and socialize is also a huge plus to settling in the city for a few semesters. Home to FC Barcelona and the works of acclaimed artists Salvador Dalí and Antoni Gaudí, the city has made a name for itself as the cosmopolitan capital of the Mediterranean.
A global city with a local identity, Spanish and Catalan influences can be seen at every turn. While the city celebrates its traditional ties, it also welcomes new ideas with open arms. Barcelona is one of the world’s most popular conference cities, hosting renowned events such as the MWC (Mobile World Congress), which attracts exhibitors from more than 200 countries.
Studying an MBA is a wonderful opportunity, especially in an exciting city like Barcelona. While you are studying to enhance specific knowledge, management and communication skills, you can also learn a new language and expand your connections.
