The MBA can be an ideal way to change careers, but not in every case.

Do your due diligence—in some instances certificate programs might offer sufficient training and require far less commitment in terms of time and money. The MBA is too costly a proposition to pursue unnecessarily.

If your goal is to change both industry and function, it can be even more important to come into an MBA program with a clear sense of direction, because you will have a lot of work to do to be successful.

Talk to as many people as you can in the role that you hope to attain and learn from them what made their MBA most valuable. Let the choices they made help guide you in making your own.