Become a Better Writer: Do An MBA
By: Ryan Joshua Mahindapala
Tags: Journalism, Mba, Strategy, Business, Confidence

Become a Better Writer: Do An MBA

Photo by Adeolu Eletu on Unsplash

Most people out there may not associate a Master of Business Administration degree with the writing profession. When one thinks about what an MBA qualification is all about, more often than not, the first thought that comes to mind would be that a person who undertakes an MBA aspires to get a high paying job in banking, finance or business consulting. The fact is, the MBA degree is extremely versatile and can be applied across multiple sectors and job types. If you are already a writer and want to venture into business journalism, the MBA can help you hone your craft, sharpen your skills and build a strong portfolio. Here is how that can be achieved.

Idea generation

Writing is a form of communication. It is a way for you to express your opinion, ideas and thoughts about a particular issue. However, before you begin writing, you must first have a sufficient amount of content. Your efforts to write a quality piece of work will be futile without the content to fill up the pages. Not just any type of content, but content that will entice readers. The academic rigour of the MBA will help you achieve that.

The MBA programme covers various areas of business. It is multi-disciplinary in nature and provides you with a broad understanding of how a business operates. Not only that, it gives you the theoretical background to write critiques, comments and recommendations to deal with everyday challenges that a business will face. As a writer, this is the leverage that you need to generate ideas that will value add to the reader’s experience, knowledge and it will provide opposing viewpoints to help them develop and attain their professional goals.

Confidence

Being a multi-disciplinary course, the MBA exposes you to fields that you may be unfamiliar with. For example, if you come from a marketing or communications background, you will have to take modules in finance, accounting and data analytics in order to graduate with that coveted MBA. At first, tackling something that is beyond your capabilities and expertise may seem both intellectually and emotionally daunting. However, this is the process of how self-confidence is nurtured. That is, through grappling with new challenges and constantly applying yourself to solve seemingly difficult tasks. At the end of the course, your new-found, empowering self-confidence will help you be a much better writer. Self-confidence is critical to the writing process. Remember, bolder is always better.

Brevity

It is important that your writing is succinct and clear in its approach and intentions. When writing coursework assignments and exams, most MBA candidates find that there is too much information that needs to be included. The academic rigour of the MBA forces you to express yourself in the least amount of words possible without compromising on the quality of a particular piece of work.

“Brevity is the soul of wit.” — William Shakesphere

With the skills taught in the MBA programme, it is easier for an MBA graduate to organize, prioritize and present information in a clear and concise manner. Hence, they make for a better and more efficient writer.

Entrepreneurship

An MBA course provides you access to top-level senior executives, captains of industry, academics and a talent pool that you can utilize to get your name out there as a writer in a particular field. It is a chance for you to network with the right people who can provide constructive feedback on your work, give you the guidance that you need and also extend your reach. Through interacting with such people, you can learn about what interests them and what they will respond positively too. This will help you fine-tune your writing, gain traction and capture an audience that will help you build a unique brand and style of writing.