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MBA ROI Series: Soft Skill Benefits Associated With Getting Your MBA

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As part of our MBA Return on Investment (ROI) series, the Admissions Team addresses commonly asked questions regarding the ROI of an MBA degree from the perspective of Boothies, alumni, and more.

An MBA from Chicago Booth is known for enhancing one’s technical and decision-making skill set through the use of data-driven principles to produce successful results. Aside from building technical skills, one should also consider how an MBA from Chicago Booth noticeably can improve their soft skills. Soft skills include anything from interpersonal skills to time and people management. Why are soft skills so valuable in the workforce? The development of soft skills assists someone in becoming more confident in the work they produce, which in turn establishes more credibility in the workplace.


A solid foundation of soft skills is one of the many returns people receive from their MBA experience. With that in mind, we asked current Boothies which soft skills have added to the ROI of their MBA experience. Here’s their take on the soft skill benefits associated with the MBA journey:

5 Soft Skills Boothies Believe They’ve Developed/Enhanced During Their Time at Booth:

  1. Interpersonal Skills
  2. Problem Solving 
  3. Networking
  4. Time Management
  5. Group Collaboration
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Interpersonal Skills and Problem Solving

“I have developed my interpersonal and problem solving skills through clubs, coursework, and classmates. An MBA program allows you to design an experience that capitalizes on strengths and addresses weaknesses by leveraging the wealth of resources offered by the institution.” – Amanuel Seife

Interpersonal Skills and Problem Solving
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Networking 

“The diverse community at Booth has made it quite easy and interesting to learn more about people and what they are involved in. People are more than willing to answer questions and help out in any way they can and this has made me realize the power of a supportive community in helping me achieve my goals.

It is super helpful to know that by just reaching out to people in my newly formed network, I would save hours of time and energy. This has encouraged me to also pay-it forward. I hope to apply this learning post-MBA as I work and forge new relationships.” – Winifred Awolope

Networking 
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Networking

"Networking was a very critical piece of my recruiting experience, and it is definitely a valuable skill in the business world. I am grateful to have had the resources and support of the Booth community to help refine my networking skills, especially through the recruiting process." – Jasmine Majdpour

Networking
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Time Management and Networking 

“During the MBA experience you have to juggle many shifting priorities and often have too much to do in a given time period. Booth has helped me fine tune how to prioritize work. I have also never had so many fantastic networking opportunities as I've had at Booth.” – Emma Granowitz

Time Management and Networking 
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Group Collaboration

“Group collaboration at Booth has been one of the most beneficial aspects of the MBA experience, as I’ve gotten the chance to work with people of all backgrounds and interests. Working in groups has allowed me to challenge myself to take on new roles I was previously scared of. It has helped me build my leadership skills by helping drive my teams to our objectives and to help us find ways of working that fit everyone’s working styles. Because of Booth’s diverse student body, working in groups has allowed me to learn from people with different backgrounds than my own and ultimately helped me expand my understanding of what business means. Lastly, group collaboration has set me up for success in consulting, a career that is defined by effectively working with diverse groups of professionals.” – Santiago (Santi) Acosta Lievano

Group Collaboration

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