The pandemic threw a wrench into countless plans, yet one thing is clear: the world will eventually recover and rebuild. With an eye on the future, an MBA degree can supercharge your leadership and help you stand out in a crowded post-pandemic job market.
MBA, EMBA and GEMBA programmes all offer an intense learning experience, but the right one for you depends on where you are on your career path and the direction you want to take.
The following questions will offer some insight.
What’s your professional background?
MBA students reflect a diversity of professional profiles and career ambitions, but whatever their ultimate aim, all seek to boost their business acumen and leadership skills. In order to maximise the learning impact, most university admissions teams require students to have several years of work experience before joining.
In most traditional MBA programmes, students have around five years of experience while executive MBA programmes target more seasoned professionals, as their name implies: EMBA students generally reflect junior to middle-management roles and 5-10 years of experience, while Global Executive MBA programmes comprise students with more senior profiles and around 15 years of career expertise.
How global are your career aspirations?
In today’s hyperconnected business world, most managerial positions are global to some degree, which is why MBA programmes increasingly integrate transnational business learnings in their curricula. That said, there are nuances.
If “international dimension” were placed on a continuum, it would be most pronounced in Global Executive MBA programmes, with some universities requiring work experience abroad or cross-border responsibilities as an admissions requisite. This condition leads to an exceptionally diverse cohort, which in turn informs the type of network you will build – another key consideration.
Which programme adapts better to your life right now?
Everyone juggles a unique set of personal and professional commitments, so programme structure is obviously key. In general, traditional MBAs require a full-time commitment whereas many EMBA and GEMBA programmes feature modular or part-time formats, enabling students to expand their learning without interrupting their careers.
And finally, the question only you can answer: why do you want to get an MBA?
People decide to enrol in an MBA for a variety of reasons: some to ascend to senior-level positions in their current firm, others to pivot to a new sector or launch their own ventures post-graduation. And in other cases, the motivation is more intrinsic, a drive to explore uncharted territory and embark on a learning journey to see where it will take you.
Whichever you choose – MBA, EMBA or GEMBA – the programme will mark an inflection point in your life and career, stretching you to new limits that you would think are unimaginable today.
