If an MBA is so bloody great why don't people know what it is?

Business schools like to talk. Before admission you visit open days, attend interviews and speak to professors about what the MBA can do for you. There won't be one person who's got a bad thing to say about the course, somehow the course this particular school offers is vastly different to the others and, guess what, it's just right for you! It will take what natural ability you have and shape you into a future business leader. Your sickeningly huge admission fees are brushed aside as a topic unworthy of discussion because "of course you will get your money back", it's an investment that just can't fail.

Like I said, business schools like to talk.

Let's face it, if the MBA teaches you anything, I mean common sense (the two are very often interchangeable), it's that there is no such thing as a guaranteed return on investment. However, by the time you've visited a couple of schools listened to what they have to offer, learned what an MBA can do for you, the chances are you'll walk out of there believing that an MBA is something everyone knows about and wants to do (because why wouldn't they?).

You've accepted your place on the program of your choice you've paid your first installment of fees and the indoctrination (ok, it's a strong word I know) continues. Throughout the year you'll meet plenty of new people (not necessarily business folk) and your conversation will go something like this:

"Hi, nice to meet you, my name is Chris..."

"Hi Chris, I'm Anne, nice to meet you too"

"So, what do you do Anne?" (why is this question so important? I've never been what I do)

"Well, I'm a graphic designer for Agent Provocateur" (I'm not making this up, I've had this conversation)

"Really?! Haha, that's really cool"

"Yeah I love it, how about you?"

"I'm a student at the moment"

"Oh yeah? What you studying?"

"I'm doing my MBA"

*while nodding* "Cool, what in?"

"Ummmmm, BUSINESS??"

"Oh"

"That's what MBA stands for, master of business administration"

"Oh I see"

*conversation drifts into nothingness*

What this little excerpt from this conversation tells us is that just because you've had the glories of the MBA shoved down your throat for the last year doesn't mean everyone else has, in fact 85% of people you talk to will have no idea what the hell it is. So my question is, if it's so great why don't more people know about it?

I can only assume that the UK and Europe to some extent aren't as business school orientated as they are in the US (more people do them over there and they do them younger too). I guess that makes sense, after all the MBA is an American invention and we've adopted it much more recently.

If you thought that the graphic designer for Agent Provocateur was a bad example then I can tell you I've had almost the exact same conversation with someone in recruitment and seeing as though I'm going to be looking for a job very soon I find that very, very worrying indeed!