An administrator is someone who delivers office and administrative support to an individual or a team. When it comes to a business running smoothly, the role of an administrator is vital. The general duties people face in this role may involve taking telephone calls, filing, directing and receiving visitors and creating presentations and spreadsheets. To get the most out of this role, people who go into administration should exhibit a number of desired skills in order to succeed.
Education is also essential. There are many different qualifications that allow you to become an office administrator, one of which is an MBA (Master of Business Administration). This is a respected postgraduate qualification that offers an overview of key business practices, and employers find it highly valuable. There are two types of MBAs out there, known as general and specialized. Today, we will be taking a look at which qualification would be best for you.
Commonly Desired Skills
Before you look into furthering your education, you need to make sure that you have the commonly desired skills that employers are looking for when recruiting office administrators. In an office, you can find professional administrators in a variety of different business settings, but the tasks that they are employed for will be office-based. One of the skills that they should possess is being able to communicate effectively because administrators tend to be the first point of contact clients have with a business. This makes customer service skills equally important. Administrators should be organized and capable of managing their time. They should have bookkeeping and typing experience and be good at handling equipment. They also need to be able to self-motivate themselves, hold an array of research skills, and be flexible.
General MBA Pros
Weighing up the pros and cons of each qualification is the first step to determining which one is best for you. A general MBA offers the student a wide field of knowledge in management and business. If you choose to study a general MBA, you will learn all of the basics across a range of specialties and acquire skills that you will be able to apply to many areas of practice in virtually any industry. You do not have to hold a certain educational or professional history to be accepted onto a general MBA course. All you need to do to qualify is assemble a captivating application and pass the GMAT. As well as management and business experience, a general MBA focuses on reinforcing creativity, communication, critical thinking and leadership skills, which are crucial to succeed in any field.
General MBA Cons
Just like anything in life, there are some cons to studying a general MBA. One of them is that a general MBA does not point you towards a specific industry or profession. This means that students who choose to study this qualification must be proactive about looking into opportunities before they graduate. Another downside to studying an MBA qualification is that they take two years to accomplish and require full-time study. This means that the student will have fewer chances to develop their professional skills and they will need to be prepared to handle the cost of the course.
Specialized MBA Pros
Now that you know the pros and cons of a general MBA, it is time to explore the pros of a specialized MBA program. First, specialized MBA students will receive an in-depth level of business education in a specific field, such as accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, etc. This means that if you have a keen interest in a particular profession or industry, then a specialized MBA will give you specific management experience. If you already have a career in mind for after graduation, then a specialized MBA will give you a head start compared to a general MBA program. Most specialized MBA programs only take a year to complete, and some even let students work alongside them, making this course a more flexible and affordable choice for those who need to work and support others while they study.
Specialized MBA Cons
One disadvantage that comes with studying a specialized MBA is the knowledge you acquire. Even though it is in-depth, it will only be limited to one area of study. This means that you need to have a long think into your future ambitions before you choose to devote yourself to a specialized MBA program. Studying a specialized MBA means that it will be tough to change your career further down the line, so you must do your research before you apply. To get onto a specialized MBA program, you will need to have past professional experience in that field before you apply, which can be difficult.
What is Better?
The course that is right for you will depend on your future goals and your current situation. You will need to take this into consideration before you apply for either MBA. Now that you know the pros and cons of both courses, you will need to weigh them up. If you are unsure about what direction you want to head in, you are fully flexible and/or you have not had any previous experience in the field you want to study, then a general MBA will be the best option for you. If you need to work alongside your study, you have gained a significant amount of professional experience and/or you know exactly what field you want to pursue a career in, then a specialized MBA program would be better. If you want to know more about what an MBA can do for you, click here for advice from Kettering University Online.
A career in administration is extremely rewarding, especially if you get the right qualification for the area you want to progress in. Whether a general MBA or specialized MBA course is better for you depends on your own personal preference and your current circumstances. Research is vital before you choose what course you want to study, especially if the pros and cons are evenly distributed when compared against your lifestyle, finances and work status.
