【2025 Complete Edition】What Are the Benefits of an MBA? The Career Breakthrough Strategy for Ordinary Professionals to Earn Over $200,000

Hello, this is TJ, founder of Alpha Advisors.

“Feeling limited in my current career.”
“My skills and English ability are mediocre.”
“I don’t feel valued compared to my peers.”

Even “ordinary” professionals in these situations are now leveraging an MBA to break through, landing careers in global finance, Big Tech, and private equity funds with salaries exceeding $200,000.

In this article, I will explain the true value of an MBA, real success stories, and how to overcome concerns about age, English, and tuition—covering all the reasons why you should take action now.

◼︎Why Can an MBA Instantly Boost the Career and Income of an “Ordinary Professional”?

An MBA is not reserved only for a small circle of elites. On the contrary, it is often the most practical tool for those lacking confidence or without standout achievements to transform their trajectory.

・MBA recruiting tracks offer a unique advantage in the job market
During and after your MBA, dedicated “MBA hiring slots” open up, giving you access to positions even without prior industry experience. Companies actively hire MBAs because they trust their foundation of management knowledge and proven adaptability in diverse environments.

・High-paying roles of $200,000+ become a reality
After graduation, investment banking, strategy consulting, and corporate strategy roles at global companies—positions typically paying $150,000 to $300,000 annually—become realistic targets. This unlocks opportunities far beyond what many imagined possible.

・Dramatic increase in inbound recruiter messages on LinkedIn
Simply listing MBA admission or enrollment on your profile triggers a surge in outreach from global firms and headhunters. This is proof that the MBA functions as a “credential of capability” in the job market.

・The fastest route into competitive industries
Investment banking, consulting, and technology—industries that are otherwise extremely difficult to break into—become directly accessible through the MBA pathway. The standard route is through summer internships leading to full-time offers, even for career changers.

・Proven success for those in their late 30s to 50s
Executive MBA and one-year programs enable professionals of all ages to pivot into senior management or executive-track roles at global companies. Real examples include individuals in their 40s landing roles at Apple headquarters or starting new private equity funds.

One of our clients was a typical salesperson at a domestic firm. After deciding to pursue an MBA and updating LinkedIn accordingly, he began receiving headhunter outreach from global finance firms that had previously ignored him.

This is not unusual—it is strong evidence that the MBA functions as a “passport to career advancement.”

◼︎Why an MBA Enables Career Breakthroughs That a Regular Job Change Cannot｜The Crossroads of Career Change and Higher Income

① Ordinary job changes often result in lateral moves
・Switching to another company within the same industry
・Joining a startup with heavy responsibilities but stagnant pay and little equity upside

② An MBA is a reset mechanism that gives you the “CEO’s perspective”
・A career reset platform that works across all age groups
・Learn alongside peers from diverse industries and nationalities, developing genuine, transferable capabilities

③ Clear income return with exceptionally high ROI
・Average annual salary for U.S. and European MBA graduates is $200,000–$300,000
・Tuition can be financed and typically recouped within a few years (average payback period: 2–3 years)

◼︎Eliminating All Concerns About Studying for an MBA Abroad｜Concrete Strategies to Overcome Barriers of English, Tuition, GPA, and Age

● For those worried about English proficiency
・IELTS scores of 7.0+ can be achieved within six months
・Many schools (such as Columbia and MIT) offer TOEFL/IELTS waivers
・It is common for admitted students to attend short-term English programs or pre-MBA language schools

● How to finance tuition?
・Most students fully fund their MBA with scholarships + education loans
・Some schools provide their own education loan programs
・Viewing tuition as an investment is essential for long-term career success

● Admission is possible even with a low GPA
・At Alpha, we have had applicants with GPAs in the 2.0 range admitted to Stanford and Harvard
・The key is how to compensate through essays and resumes
・Designing a strategy to offset a low GPA with other elements is crucial to admission success

● Late 30s to 50s applicants can also succeed
・By leveraging Executive MBA or one-year MBA programs, admissions followed by offers at Big Tech or PE funds are achievable
・Before you lose ground to younger candidates, change the playing field
・There are abundant options such as one-year MBAs and Executive MBAs tailored to different career stages

● TOEFL vs. IELTS: which is better?
・For many candidates, IELTS tends to be more approachable, with faster score improvement
・Especially effective for short-term preparation due to easier familiarity with its listening and speaking sections

● GMAT vs. GRE: which should you take?
・Many find GRE math and grammar questions easier, making it simpler to boost scores
・An increasing number of schools also accept the EA (Executive Assessment), which should be considered as an option (e.g., Columbia)

● Do online MBAs have value?
・Programs such as Hult’s “LIVE interactive online MBA” are highly rated for allowing real-time collaboration with students worldwide
・However, choosing the wrong program may not lead to career advancement
・Strategic planning and program selection are critical

◼︎10 Key Criteria for Choosing the Right MBA Program｜Factors That Will Determine Your Career and Earning Power

1. Alignment with career focus (e.g., Wharton or Chicago Booth for finance)
2. Location and visa strategy (a U.S. MBA is essential for U.S. job placement)
3. Positioning and brand value after graduation
4. Strength in technology fields and AI-focused curriculum
5. Career orientation of current students and alumni
6. School culture and atmosphere (whether it fits your personality)
7. Career support systems and internship opportunities
8. Admission feasibility and requirements
9. Compatibility with life stage (e.g., relocating with family)
10. Return on investment (whether your career will definitively change within two years)

◼︎【Conclusion】Now Is the Time to Apply for an MBA｜Knowing Your Options Can Transform Both Your Career and Your Life

For 2025 intake, this is the most critical timing for MBA applications.
“Not confident in English,” “concerned about age,” “worried about tuition”—these are exactly the people who, with Alpha’s support, gain admission to top MBAs every year and radically transform their careers.

Moreover, this year, applicant numbers are expected to decline due to the impact of the Trump administration. As a result, the relative chance of admission to top schools is higher!

With 17 years of proven results, Alpha—led by TJ, who went from Sumitomo Corporation to Chicago Booth MBA to Goldman Sachs IBD, and trains candidates with relentless dedication—is here to seriously support your career.

Consult Alpha Now! Free consultation here ＞ Free Consultation

For MBA admissions and career strategy, Alpha Advisors is the only choice!

Join our highly popular one-on-one coaching for guaranteed success in MBA admissions, career transitions, and long-term career growth!

・For MBA study abroad, choose Alpha Advisors!
・Career Strategy Advisory｜Design your career strategy at the most competitive rates
・Career Change Advisory｜Win in global finance, consulting, and trading companies!

TJ Profile

TJ: Formerly with Sumitomo Corporation, where he worked in the Corporate Accounting Department overseeing budgeting, financial reporting, and performance management for over 800 domestic and overseas group companies, as well as IR (Investor Relations) activities. Selected as the youngest trainee for Sumitomo Corporation of America (New York), where he contributed to the restructuring of a U.S. electric arc furnace steel business invested in by Sumitomo. Later joined the Project Finance Department, where he was engaged in arranging large-scale financings for infrastructure projects in developing countries and financing for Jupiter Telecommunications. Selected as a company-sponsored candidate for overseas MBA programs.

Earned his MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with concentrations in Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Organizational Management. Founder of the University of Chicago Japanese Association. Initiated and executed the school’s first-ever “Japan Trip”, which has since become an annual tradition.

Subsequently joined Goldman Sachs Japan’s Investment Banking Division, where he advised on numerous M&A transactions in the media and consumer sectors, supported capital raising including IPOs, and worked on private equity investments and corporate restructuring assignments.

Selected as one of only six fellows (out of over 200 applicants) for the 4th Entrepreneurial Leadership Program of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai), where he received mentorship from leading entrepreneurs including Hideo Sawada, Chairman of H.I.S.

Served as President of the Chicago Booth Alumni Association in Japan (2006–2010). Has guided numerous candidates to admission at top MBA programs (Harvard, Stanford, and other leading schools in the U.S., Europe, and Asia), graduate schools, universities, and boarding schools. Track record of placing students at leading global firms including Mitsubishi Corporation, McKinsey & Company, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, Google, Big 4 consulting/FAS, Dentsu, Toyota, MUFG Bank, Nomura Securities, among others.

Renowned for his rigorous one-on-one coaching for TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, and GRE, with a reputation for pushing candidates to fully complete their preparation. Highly regarded for his ability to design and achieve career and academic goals with unmatched quality and precision. As a result, he is in high demand as an advisor, with numerous requests to work directly under his guidance.