To Work or Not to Work

If you’re like many others who consider b-school, you already have a job.

As you prepare to enroll, you have some decisions to make about your current employment:

• If you stay at your current job and don’t get a graduate management degree, where is your career path likely to take you? Will you stay with the same employer or face a job transition anyway?
• If you continue to work during school, will you have enough time to pursue your studies, especially during exam times? Will work-related issues like travel cause conflicts with your school schedule?
• Be sure you are ready for your next steps before discussing your b-school plans or giving an official resignation notice.

Two weeks of advance notice of resignation is the standard, but you should check your employer’s policy on giving notice.

If possible, leave on good terms with your employer. You may wish to ask for a reference for future employment or even return to the company in a new role. You also may want to stay in touch with your employer and coworkers as you build your professional network.

Is now a good time for you to leave the job market for school? There are two ways to consider this question:

Attend school when the economy is booming and jobs are plentiful. If you choose this route, your company might be willing to support your decision. In addition, you will be more marketable if the economy turns. Your post-degree employer might be more willing to keep you as an employee because you have specialized training that your colleagues might not.

OR

Attend school when the economy is down, retool your skill set, and be ready when the economy rebounds. You might find that as you graduate from your degree, companies are looking to hire well trained staff. After earning your degree, you will have additional skills and training -- which will make you more marketable to potential employers.

Ultimately, you need to make the decision that is best for you and your career.