Rice Faculty Discusses Value of an MBA with Houston Chronicle

George James Andrews III, senior associate dean of degree programs at the Rice University – Jones Graduate School of Business recently lent his expertise to the Houston Chronicle, discussing the importance of earning an MBA degree.

Joining Dalia Pineda, director of graduate admissions and recruitment at the University of Houston – C.T. Bauer College of Business, Andrews discussed ways that undergraduate students can prepare for applying to an MBA program.

According to Andrews, MBA candidates can come from a wide variety of backgrounds when it comes to undergraduate subjects of study. With such diversity in experience, there may only be one thing that these undergraduates have in common: the best undergraduate degree for prospective MBAs, says Andrews, is any that requires critical thinking.

“We find that those with a STEM background do very well, as they have become comfortable with analyzing a problem by breaking down the issues, cutting through the symptoms to get to the root problems,” Andrews says.

Andrews also has a response for those who doubt the value of an MBA degree. While business success is certainly possible without an advanced degree, an MBA can make young professionals more competitive when joining the workforce. Furthermore, Andrews says: “MBA students earn more over the course of their career. The unemployment rate for MBA holders is four times less than those without. Companies value the skills that these students bring to the table.”

The process of earning an MBA degree will not be an easy one, Andrews adds. Such programs require students to operate outside of their comfort zone, which can be a struggle for some students. Nonetheless, he says, the struggle results in lasting change. “…you will be transformed,” says Andrews. “You will never think about problems in the same way, and you will be viewed by peers as possessing a set of skills that will set you apart from the crowd.”

regions: Houston

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