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MBA students have a variety of programs and tools that can help them stay organized and work toward their goals. If you’re among those interested in earning an MBA, you might appreciate a behind-the-scenes look at the kinds of classes you’ll potentially take, the apps, resources and tips that can help you stay on track. Read on to learn how the MBA landscape looks in today’s world.  

Most MBA programs require students to take foundational courses such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resources and operations management. Electives, certificates and specializations, however, can distinguish one MBA from another. In this way, business students can tailor their degree to their area of interest, like project management or human resources.

To stay focused and do their best work in these programs, MBA students may rely on a number of digital tools, software programs and websites, as well as time management techniques and other resources An example of a general tools a student may use is  Grammarly^®.

Notion^® can be a very useful tool for students in MBA courses because it’s more than just a powerful note-taking app; it is a data workspace that allows you to create calendars, project schedules and more. It also gives you the ability to share them with team members on group projects. Additionally, Notion includes customizable tables, boards and toggles. These features can help students and business pros alike stay organized.

A large part of many courses in MBA programs consists of analyzing and presenting data to your fellow students and instructors. Tableau is a data visualization and analytics tool that allows users to collaborate as they work with the data, giving them power to create drag-and-drop dashboards and use different analysis modes. After graduation, you may even see Tableau being used in your professional settings.

Written communication skills are crucial in school and in business, but let’s face it, not everyone is a great writer. That’s where Grammarly comes in. This tool can correct grammar in real time, while also making suggestions for style, tone and voice. It will help you check your work for inadvertent plagiarism too. You can use Grammarly for almost any written piece, including email, social media posts, white papers and slide decks.

During your MBA program and well after, you’ll need to know what’s going on in the world of business. Popular websites for business students and professionals include Harvard Business Review^® and Financial Times^®.

Students looking for insights while still working on their degree may find AACSB Insights for Students and Beta Gamma Sigma helpful. AACSB^® is an accrediting organization for business schools, and Beta Gamma Sigma is an honor society for business students, so these entities can offer relevant business insights for MBA students.

Here are a few more categories to explore:

• Email management programs
• Unique slide deck template sites or programs
• Excel^® for spreadsheets
• Marketing and sales programs
• Project management sites or programs
• Sites that assist with bibliographies and citations

To find tools like these, start with a quick internet search or even ask an AI platform. Also, talk to your fellow students and instructors. They may have experience with the tools you’re considering and can possibly suggest others. 

Though there are accounting courses in many MBA programs, the general knowledge gained is fairly standard. Beyond managerial accounting, taxation, and budgeting and forecasting, students in MBA-level accounting classes will likely learn:

• Business risk management: to learn how to evaluate regulations and risks associated with operating a business.
• Capital budgeting: to learn how to make effective business decisions using financial information.
• Cost-benefit analysis: to learn how to analyze, budget, and track and control business costs.

Finance courses in many MBA programs, particularly corporate finance courses, cover a range of skills and knowledge. In a business valuation course, for example, students may learn to access KPIs, cash flow and valuation when assessing an organization’s financial sustainability.

Of course, there is a lot more to learn about finance, but these give potential MBA students an idea of what they may be learning.

Understanding marketing is important for any business professional. Common MBA marketing courses will cover marketing communication channels like social media, market research for strategic planning, and data analytics for critical decision-making.

Human resources classes for MBA programs take a deeper dive into common HR subjects like recruitment and benefits, group dynamics, interpersonal skills and how to align employees with business strategies.

In an MBA-level operations management class, students will likely explore efficient production methods and the ways goods and services are delivered. Key processes like supply chain management, quality control and inventory management will also be covered in depth.

Required courses might also include classes on data analysis and business analytics, leading change, the digital economy and more.

MBA graduate certificates are specialized credentials students can earn on top of the standard MBA. These could include project management, in which students learn to guide teams and work with stakeholders to get projects done on time and on budget.

A graduate certificate in accounting is another potential option. Students who pursue this program gain further insights into accounting principles and practices crucial to a business’s success. 

Staying organized and focused in a traditional MBA program can be difficult, particularly for working adults with families and other responsibilities. Fortunately, earning an MBA from an accredited institution online can make it significantly more feasible for those in need of a flexible school schedule.

Online MBA programs can be a great choice for business professionals who want to earn an advanced degree while continuing in their career. Scheduling can be easier when you don’t have to commute to a brick-and-mortar classroom and you can access course materials any time of day or night.

The ability to watch prerecorded lectures and interact with fellow students via online discussion boards allows MBA students to schedule school around work, family and other responsibilities.

Of course, assignments still have due dates and tests must be taken on time, but students can prepare for them as their schedules permit. Many online MBA programs have multiple start dates throughout the year, often offering more options than traditional programs.

With so much on their plates, working adults enrolled in an MBA program may find it hard to , but a few simple practices can help things go much smoother.

When it comes to strategic planning, many students find it helpful to start a new academic program or semester by setting their priorities. Once you identify your priorities — what needs to be done and when — making a schedule will feel easier to do. Without a schedule, after all, assignments and tasks can slip through the cracks.

A simple paper calendar may work for some, while others may prefer a digital calendar with reminders. There are also many free apps (or apps with powerful free options) that can help you stay organized as well. These apps usually come with calendars, reminders, note-taking capabilities and digital storage for files you may be working on. Some are free or have free trials, so you can use them before deciding which one works best for you.  

As reported by , some research indicates that 50% to 80% of new roles are acquired through networking, so students would be wise to start building their own network well before they graduate.

Beyond the potential opportunities it may offer, networking can be a great way to gather information and learn. An experienced professional in your field, for example, may be able to share insights or recommendations not widely found elsewhere. Others may be aware of a new business trend or resource. The benefits are many.

To , try:

• Attending events in your area
• Joining online groups related to your field
• Requesting mentorships
• Connecting with colleagues