At some point, you must inform your employer about your intentions to go back to get your MBA.
Full time business school is an all-in endeavor. There will likely never be a time in your life when you are busier or more engaged. While today is the age of side-hustles, there’s not a single top-tier business school that allows students to carry a job while in their program.
Working while going to full-time b-school is not only impossible, it’s not allowed.
Matriculating at a top school typically requires you to attest that you are not otherwise employed. It just doesn’t work. Between classes, clubs, group work, company presentations and other activities, there’s simply not enough hours in the day to carry any kind of side work. Needless to say, the decision to go back for your MBA will require you to notify your employer that you will be leaving your position.
The tough question is: when do I tell my boss I am resigning?
Often, MBA applicants are reluctant to tell their employers they will be leaving. Why? Mostly because they think will adversely affect their status at work if they aren’t accepted. This presents a host of additional challenges. For starters, waiting to tell them would generally prohibit you from using your boss as a recommender, which is risky. Business schools value the recommendation of your current supervisor above any other because it’s the most current objective insight they can obtain in the selection process. Still, depending on your relationship with your employer and the situation you are in at work, you may not want to notify them until you are already accepted.
If you are in the category of full disclosure, be ready for some potential changes at work.
No matter how good your standing is as an employee, once you announce your departure, you will slowly be treated differently. Even in traditional b-school launch roles such as consulting or banking, the team will start looking to off-load their reliance on your contributions so they will be ready when you’re gone. The best way to approach this is to do everything you can to support the transition. Ask your boss and co-workers how you can help prepare for your departure. Go out of your way to carry your weight in the final few months and take an active part in helping your replacement learn the responsibilities you will be leaving behind (if possible).
One more thing---think hard about reconsidering if you are one of those who is not disclosing to your boss until the last minute. You might be surprised how supportive they will be and keeping it from them could potentially burn a bridge, which is not something you should do as you launch the next phase of your career.
For information on how we can guide your business school application process, email us at mba@amerasiaconsulting.com or go to http://www.amerasiaconsulting.com/contact