Students pursuing an MBA degree in today’s world have a wealth of information at their fingertips. For example, business blogs make it easy to stay current with business news and emerging trends. In the time it takes to on-board some caffeine, busy online MBA students can consume a blog post or two and be ready for the day.
Blogs provide immediate access to professional-level information and insight that can propel students to the top of the class or the career ladder. The right online resources may also expose readers to influencers in their fields, connect them with fellow students around the world, and introduce them to digital mentors. Below is a short list of the blogs every MBA student and graduate should read.
The Student Experience
Beat the GMAT: Admission requirements for online MBA programs may vary. Getting into a graduate business program can depend on a good GMAT score. Beat The GMAT is the largest social network for MBA applicants, attracting more than 2 million potential students each year.
In addition to information on MBA applications, GMAT courses, and business schools, Beat The GMAT offers blogs on everything from application tips to individual students’ experiences in their MBA programs.
Magoosh.com: The blog at another GMAT prep site, Magoosh.com, addresses topics such as what’s considered a quality score, as well as and tips for applying to graduate business schools. Some posts even offer an in-depth look at what applicants might face on the test, including reading comprehension and sentence construction and correction.
Strictly Business: U.S. News, an authoritative publisher of business news and trends, offers an MBA admissions blog called Strictly Business. The author, Stacy Blackman, owns an admissions consulting company and is an expert on what it takes to get into business school. Her blog addresses such topics as unconventional steps to writing great MBA essays and how to demonstrate that you are a team player.
Poets&Quants: Once students have been accepted, Poets&Quants should also be on the daily reading list. The site is devoted to business school education and offers news, in-depth features, videos and podcasts, and even searchable events listings.
This blog features two types of information: peer-to-peer guidance about business school success, and advice from experts who address specific questions from students.
MBA diary: The Economist, a London-based journal favored by highly educated readers, influential execs, and policy-makers, offers a blog called MBA Diary. In this blog, leaders can learn about the experiences and projects of their peers around the world.
All The News
Forbes: Business students of all levels should bookmark Forbes.com and read it regularly to keep up with professionals in the industry.
The Forbes blog is the place for breaking business news and profiles of successful leaders. It features the latest trends, original articles on finance, industry, investing, marketing, and even personal development strategies. Blog readers also benefit from articles written by a wide range of expert contributors.
The Latest: Another website that may be helpful to business students is Harvard Business Review (HBR), which is produced by a wholly owned subsidiary of Harvard University. With its aim to “improve the practice of management in a changing world,” HBR is the place for business professionals to gain the insights and best practices that can help them lead their organizations more effectively. Furthermore, The Latest at HBR.com is the place to find a mix of new ideas and classic advice on strategy, innovation, and leadership from some of the world’s most influential business and management experts. For business updates in bite-sized form, check out @HarvardBiz on Twitter.
The Business Of Business
Open Forum: The daily digest from American Express Open Forum caters to those who already have a foothold in their careers. Ideal for students pursuing an MBA degree online, so they can move up in their current field, or whose employers are paying for their education, the blog connects experienced professionals interested in exchanging ideas and growing their businesses.
Under30ceo: Those who prefer to make their mark sooner rather than later might want to check out the blog at Under30ceo. With a mission to help young entrepreneurs succeed in business and life, the site offers cutting-edge news and advice as well as profiles of successful 20-something biz whizzes.
Entrepreneur: Lastly, Entrepreneur is a magazine and website dedicated to those determined to make a splash in the business world. Blog entries from featured contributors such as entrepreneur John Rampton (founder of the online invoicing company Due) and media entrepreneur Kelsey Humphreys (author of Amazon bestseller Go Solo) address topics such as leadership, marketing, finance, and the latest trends in entrepreneurship.
About WSU’s Online MBA Program
Washington State University is one of the top-ranked MBA programs in the nation. The program offers four MBA concentrations – marketing, finance, hospitality business management, and international business – and a general MBA track. For more information, visit WSU’s online MBA website.
Sources:
- Beat The GMAT: BeatTheGMAT.com
- Magoosh: Magoosh.com
- Strictly Business: www.usnews.com/education/blogs/mba-admissions-strictly-business
- Poets&Quants: poetsandquants.com
- The Economist, MBA Diary: www.economist.com/whichmba/mba-diaries
- Forbes: Forbes.com
- Harvard Business Review, The Latest: hbr.org/the-latest
- American Express Open Forum: www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/explore
- Entrepreneur: www.entrepreneur.com/
- Under30ceo: under30ceo.com/category/blog