As an MBA graduate, I have not learned to code. But I did notice that my lack of tech skills closed some job opportunities after graduation. I have observed economic trends for almost two decades now. I see the ever-increasing increasing role of technical skills for a business or MBA graduate.
As a rule, learning to code is unnecessary for most MBAs but maybe a beneficial skill to acquire. Employers may view favorably MBA graduates who possess technical skills because such skills indicate a person’s ability to learn and operate in a new digital economy.
In addition, MBAs who plan to move into a career requiring a heavy volume of analysis or data-driven type of career should learn to code. Coding skills may provide a substantial competitive career advantage.
MBAs first learn how to lead projects, manage, and operate in teams. They learn interpersonal skills. They learn general analysis and foundations of the business topics rather than specific skills. For specific skills, you would be better of getting a narrowly focused master’s degree.
But in my opinion, in the future, possessing at least basic coding skills will be a convenient skill for any MBA as most of the work already is and will be performed using computers.
Coding skills may provide the foundation for a better understanding of how to operate in a digital environment. An MBA who graduated from a low-ranking MBA program should learn to code to increase employment options. Source.
Below I explain in greater detail when MBA should or should not learn to code and what coding languages may benefit MBA graduates.
Does MBA require coding?
At this point, an MBA degree usually does not require coding skills. Therefore, coding is not necessary for enrollment or graduation. However, at the same time, more MBA programs are evaluating the possibility of incorporating coding classes into the MBA curriculum.
It is safe to say that in the not-so-distant future, at least some coding skills may become a standard for MBA students or MBA graduates. Probably, MBA programs will incorporate some basic coding classes which MBA student should learn.
Should MBA learn to code?
Many post-MBA avenues will not require coding skills. For example, advertising or marketing may require analytical and creative skills, and coding will be outsourced to programmers.
I checked www.indeed.com and found advertising and marketing job openings for MBAs. Some positions require at least basic HTML and CSS knowledge, probably because some of the work will be done on the internet.
Other positions requiring MBAs to learn coding included quantitative researcher, technical product owner, financial analyst, research data analyst, investment strategist, market research analyst, product manager.
Other coding skills that may come in handy and can be requested in job postings are SQL (database), R, Java.
It would help if you filtered positions as sometimes employers want too much. For example, they want MBA and programmer in the same employee to save money.
MBA should learn to code if he or she wants to break into the new technology sector of the respective industry. For example, data scientists, deep financial analysis all may require coding skills.
At a minimum, having basic coding skills may help MBA to break into some management role in a tech company.
Note that MBA does not have to become proficient in coding to compete with actual programmers. But I think MBA should learn to code at least on the basic level to talk to execute some basic tasks on a computer at work.
In what language MBA should learn to code?
From my research, I can point out few tech skills that MBA should focus on if he or she wants to learn.
The following are the most valuable tech skills for an MBA if any:
- MS Excel.
- Python.
- SQL or another relational database language.
- HTML and some CSS.
Operating in excel spreadsheets is probably a necessary essential skill for any business professional. Especially for those in accounting, finance, and operational areas. I suffered miserably in my operations management MBA class in part because I did not know excel that well.
Excel is relatively easy to learn. Any business student should know. Believe it or not, excellent skills may land a graduate a job—especially coupled with some other tangible skills like accounting.
Another useful skill to know is SQL or Tableau database language and relational databases generally. This language helps to operate in a business environment involving lots of data, almost every large company now.
And I already mentioned the growing popularity of Python. MBA who wants to work in banking or private equity probably should learn to code in Python as it will prove to be a severe advantage for career advancement.
Now, I am not mentioning software user skills like text processors or presentation, as that topic is beyond the scope of this article.
Is Python useful for MBA?
For those MBAs who embark on a more quantitative path in the financial industry, coding in Python may become handy. For example, knowing how to code in Python often is additional leverage in the finance analytical area.
If you look on job sites, you may find some job requirements for investment data analysts, including experience coding in Python.
If you see the words “data” or “AI” or “machine learning” in the MBA position title, most likely, that position requires at least basic knowledge of Python. Of course, not all those need MBAs, but some do hire MBAs.
Python is a high-level (meaning, not deep level) universal programming language. Python is easier to learn than Java or even Javascript. I am not even mentioning C++, for example. Forget it. A couple of coding experts I follow on YouTube advise NOT to learn Ruby.
In a way, MBA should learn to code in Python because Python allows executing many more efficiently. And Python is becoming a mainstream coding or functional language adopted in different companies across many industries.
I think Excel and Python are those two skills an MBA should learn first.
How MBA programs are adapting to digital reality
Top MBA schools are leading the way in experimenting with incorporating digital and technical skills into the curriculum. For example, Harvard MBA offers a joint MBA and MS in Engineering degree for those who want to enter the world of technological innovation and startups. Source.
Wharton MBA has opened Coding Club to meet the demands of its students and potential employers. Source.
Conclusion: should MBA learn to code or no?
MBA does not have to learn to code. However, many careers for MBAs still may lack coding requirements—for example, creative business careers in various industries. The content manager is one of them.
But it does look like more and more MBA positions contain at least some coding requirements. Therefore, learning the basics of coding can be incredibly beneficial for any MBA. And may even become mandatory for MBAs planning to work in specific industries or heavily tech economy sectors.
Important note: graduates from the top 5-15 MBA programs are way more likely to find jobs after graduation than the rest of the crowd. But for MBA graduates from a lesser-known MBA program, coding may happen to be that one skill that gets them a shot at a decent job with career potential.
My take on it is – learn to code. At least basics. It will always come in handy in real life. For example, basic knowledge of HTML and CSS helps me when I need to tweak my blog post a little. Also, basic excel spreadsheet knowledge allows me to analyze traffic, visits, clicks, etc.
Granted, the MBA core focus remains the learning of business fundamentals. It should because it is not a computer science program. MBAs should first learn management, economics, finance, marketing, accounting, operations, strategy. And coding for MBA should be viewed as a secondary skill.
But in the modern world, coding may be a skill that MBA graduates use at work or in life. Lack of basic tech skills makes the modern business professional look less and less relevant for employers.
Those MBAs who plan to work in the tech industry or software development industry should learn to code. But for an advertising content professional, coding in Python may not necessarily provide too much value.
It would help if you always made your choice yourself. Modern coding skills open some opportunities not previously available for MBA graduates.
I think I made a mistake not learning to code a long time ago. It would help me now with my projects. Those who can learn to code should do it without wasting a potential opportunity—especially those at the beginning of their career.
I am sure that MBAs with solid previous work experience demanded by employees are more likely to find a job even without being able to code.
But those newbies without much work experience may also find that tech skills, including coding skills, may help their resume stand out and at least get their foot in the door.
