With the rise of ecommerce and other online opportunities, the world of marketing is seeing rapid growth. New marketing models and strategies are replacing old, outdated theories, allowing marketers to more efficiently assist the modern consumer in finding what they need. Most MBA programs have already begun to incorporate these new ideas heavily, but within the world of higher education there is another new concept that is rapidly gaining traction: that of acquiring a graduate degree online. It presents obvious advantages with regard to such concerns as personal finances, scheduling, and convenience, but opponents argue that critical elements of the academic environment and support infrastructure are lacking.
One of the most important aspects of any good graduate program is the introduction to professional networking within one’s field. If you pursue your MBA in marketing online, will you miss out on the networking opportunities inherent to a traditional university setting?
Independent Networking Efforts
Not all networking opportunities are directly provided by your program or school. The growth of readily available high-speed internet has led to the creation of new opportunities, including interactive websites for professional organizations. These organizations offer ample networking opportunities for students in related fields, and often make specialized resources specifically available to them. Internships, marketing publications, and other resources are likewise now highly accessible online, without any direction or interference from your college or university.
The Value of a Reputable Institution
Gone are the days when online degrees in advanced graduate programs were almost entirely the province of for-profit online institutions, with dubious track records and no physical presence. Today, these programs are frequently offered by widely recognized, highly accredited universities in good standing. Some of the most well-known colleges in the United States offer advanced degree programs in areas like marketing, accounting and finance with no physical presence required. New models are being developed to make this approach more convenient for the student, such as by minimizing specific class-time requirements and reducing the number of specific periods of time during which the student must work a class into their otherwise busy schedule. These institutions have well-established support networks that include ample networking opportunities, and these opportunities are made available to online students, just as they are to students who attend traditional classes.
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The Top 10 Best Online MBA in Marketing Degree Programs
Inherent Value of the MBA Program
An MBA will prepare you for high-level leadership positions within the field of marketing, providing you with all of the skills and training you will need to be successful in your field. With stand-out talent, and a little personal initiative, these qualities coupled with an online degree from a highly accredited institution will make you stand out above other applicants with regard to any position you’re applying for. With the networking support inherent to an online program of a reputable, upstanding institution, any negatives inherent to not being immersed in a physical campus will be readily overcome through your initial professional experience. Marketing today remains a field in which performance leads to results, and results are what will advance your career.
There are certainly opportunities and support that can be missed or overlooked through virtual attendance. However, by getting your MBA in marketing degree online, you open up a new world of networking opportunities that would likewise be otherwise unavailable. You will be primed to familiarize yourself with some of the many digital resources available to both students and professionals in the marketing field today.
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