Many professionals consider pursuing advanced postgraduate study at some point during their career. When the aim is to strengthen commercial acumen or leadership capability, the preferred pathway has traditionally been an MBA – a qualification once associated with prestige, an emphasis on strong general management skills and significant salary increases. However, this decision now requires careful consideration as the perceived value of MBAs has declined.
“Whether you’re looking to transition from a senior technical role into corporate leadership, or aiming for a C-Suite appointment, advanced degrees can help you prepare for the next stage of your career,” says Nona Sichinava, a Partner for Gerard Daniels. “While an MBA can be transformative for the right individual at the right time, it’s important to weigh the value and relevance of this commitment against the true cost.”
Here we explore a range of factors to determine if an advanced degree is right for you.
Looking beyond the letters – what value can an MBA unlock?
Building diverse professional networks
MBA programs expose students to professionals across industries, disciplines and geographies, creating unique network-building opportunities and supporting the vital cross-pollination of ideas. For those operating across regions such as APAC or EMEA, these connections can evolve into longstanding relationships and serve as trusted sounding boards in unfamiliar markets.
“When you’re engaging with people in different countries and sectors, you’re bound to see a different perspective and learn something new,” says Nona. “By nurturing these networks, professionals can benefit from practical insights and sharing of ideas, long after their qualification is complete.”
Bridging technical gaps and broadening capability
For technically trained professionals with ambitions beyond site-based roles, an MBA can build critical leadership capability and commercial fluency.
“If you started out as a mining engineer or in a discipline like data science, you may find that you lack the capability to perform confidently in enterprise-wide leadership roles,” says Nona. “Completing an MBA helps to bridge knowledge gaps and broaden your experience. This allows you to start approaching business with a different and more holistic mindset and delivers particular value in areas like finance, supply chain, strategy and corporate governance.”
Meeting industry expectations
In environments like banking, private equity and large corporates, an MBA may not be formally required – but it can be implicitly expected.
“As you progress in some competitive industries, you may find colleagues forging similar pathways,” says Nona. “Employers may factor an advanced degree into succession planning as a differentiator that signals strategic breadth, governance awareness and a commitment to ongoing development.”
While advanced degrees can support progression, these professional environments are highly contextual, making it important to carefully research industry expectations before making a commitment.
Weighing pros with cons – the realities of advanced qualifications
In addition to these benefits, there are some important limitations to consider.
A significant commitment for working professionals
Completing an MBA can be deeply rewarding, but it is one of the most expensive postgraduate qualifications and demands a considerable investment of time.
“While many professionals secure corporate sponsorship, this arrangement typically comes with a clawback clause that ties you to the organisation for a set period,” says Nona. “There’s also a substantial academic workload with MBAs that can be challenging alongside work and family demands. Early conversations around the support you need, at home (especially for working parents) and at work, can make a big difference to your experience and improve the likelihood of your success.”
No substitute for management experience
Another important caveat is the fact that an MBA cannot replace real-world leadership and general management experience. “An advanced degree will equip you with theoretical knowledge, but management capability only comes from putting theory into practice,” says Nona. “Entry requirements vary, but without prior leadership context, individuals may struggle to extract full value from the case study format of an MBA.”
According to Nona, timing also matters for highly experienced leaders. “Occasionally, people find they’ve already gained much of the insight that an MBA offers through years of practice and mentorship,” she says. “In this instance, the program consolidates rather than expands capability.”
You may not see a direct return on your investment
Many people derive value from completing an MBA, but there are no guarantees of tangible payback. “ROI can be subjective and depends on what you set out to achieve – whether that’s a specific skill, network access or market credibility,” says Nona. “To carry weight in some professional circles, an MBA must also come from a particular institution.”
Consider all options
It’s important to note that an MBA is not the only post-graduate pathway for building leadership capability.
“Depending on your industry, career goals and capability gaps, a specialised post-graduate qualification may provide a strong alternative to completing an MBA,” says Nona. “For example, post-graduate finance qualifications are much shorter, cheaper and more technical, providing significant value to those looking to build commercial fluency without the cost and commitment of an MBA.”
Making strategic professional development decisions
Once considered elite, MBAs are now widely available in person and online. However, not all degrees are created equal and as access grows, quality and prestige vary.
Consider these additional factors to choose a program that’s right for you:
- Curriculum and specialisation – does the program align with your development gaps?
- Quality and prestige – does the provider have a strong industry reputation and alumni outcomes?
- Geographic exposure – will you build networks in the right regions?
- Delivery method – is an executive MBA a better choice than a traditional one?
“In a competitive world, it’s natural to look for ways to differentiate yourself and intentionality is key,” says Nona. “That’s why pursuing an MBA should not be the default decision, but a strategic investment of capital, time and energy.”
For professional development advice or help assessing postgraduate study opportunities for your team, connect with Nona or reach out to your local Gerard Daniels team.
