Tag: MBA

  • 10 Reasons Why You Should Get An MBA

    10 Reasons Why You Should Get An MBA

    The MBA, which stands for Master of Business Administration, has been launching careers since Harvard Business School’s inaugural MBA program in 1908.

    Today, the MBA is the most sought-after business management degree worldwide, both among students and companies.

    Top firms like Google, Amazon, and McKinsey hire thousands of MBA graduates to oversee divisions, manage difficult projects, and devise strategies.

    MBA alumni have led some of the world’s largest firms. Michael Bloomberg has one, as does Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Donald Trump sometimes claims to have one. Even Shaquille O’Neal owns one.

    What we are saying is that MBAs are cool.

    With this in mind, we interviewed MBA students, graduates, professors, MBA admissions staff, bloggers, and entrepreneurs, asking them all the same simple question: Why obtain an MBA?

    We’ve produced a list of all the reasons you should get an MBA, from advancing your career to learning new skills.

    Here’s how earning an MBA can help you advance your career.

    1. Go From MBA To CEO

    Who rules the world? MBAs. MBA graduates run some of the world’s largest companies, including Apple, Google, and JPMorgan. Andy Jassy, Amazon’s CEO, holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

    2. Double Your Earnings

    Get rich quick with a return on investment in less than four years. MBA wages in the US average above $100k, with top business schools earning up to $200k.

    3. Change Industry

    Want to go from finance to fashion, or engineering to business management? An MBA is the ideal opportunity to start over.

    More than half of business school candidates pursue graduate management education to change their job function or industry, benefiting from the opportunity to gain new skills and create new relationships quickly.

    4. Get Access To Top Employers

    MBAs are in high demand at top organizations such as Bain and Microsoft. According to Julia Sanchez, the dean of global alumni relations at Spain’s IE Business School, an MBA “opens your eyes to infinite possibilities.”

    5. Scholarships

    Although a full-time MBA program is a hefty commitment, there are various ways to fund it. Schools offer a variety of MBA scholarships, some even covering 100% of tuition.

    6. Go From MBA To US President

    You can acquire an MBA in practically any place in the world, and even MBA programs closer to home can serve as a springboard for travel.

    7. Study Abroad

    Why pursue an MBA? With an MBA, the world is your oyster, since top business institutions offer MBA programs all over the world.

    If you’ve always wanted to work in a particular nation, such as the United States, consider enrolling in an MBA program to learn about the work culture and develop connections for a post-graduate career there.

    8. Work In The World’s Top Cities

    Top business schools are found in many of the world’s most desired cities. Where you choose to study can influence your future career.

    9. Break A World Record

    Students at London Business School set a new world record for the most different countries participating in a popular singalong. They performed John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ on the school grounds.

    10. Cross Cultures

    You can learn to operate professionally in other cultures by studying abroad, whether for the whole of your degree or simply a short trip.

    Did you know that in Japan, excessive eye contact is considered disrespectful? The more you know.

    You may even gain valuable knowledge outside of the classroom.

  • Choosing Between MBA, MSc, and MiM: Deciding on Your Ideal Program

    Choosing Between MBA, MSc, and MiM: Deciding on Your Ideal Program

    MBA programs remain the most popular among business school candidates, but specialty business master’s degrees, such as the Master of Finance, are on the increase in Europe, according to a Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) poll.

    Bocconi University, located in Milan’s commercial district, offers the world’s third best MBA program as well as a variety of Master of Science (MSc) degrees, including the MSc in International Management and the MSc in Finance.

    Carlo Salvato, dean of the Bocconi Graduate School, administers the 13 MSc programs, while Stefano Caselli, head of the SDA Bocconi School of Management, directs the one-year full-time MBA program.

    BusinessBecause interviewed Carlo and Stefano to learn more about the distinctions between an MSc, MiM, and MBA, as well as where these degrees can lead business graduates.

    Which program should I choose: MiM, MBA, or MSc?

    Knowing whether to pursue an MBA or an MSc degree is mostly determined by your applicant background and business school goals.

    The Bocconi MBA and MSc programs both cover the principles of business and offer chances for professional development, but there are significant variations between them.

    The MBA is intended for experienced professionals with an average age of 28 to 30 years. The program serves as a career accelerator, building on past experience and providing students with the information and abilities needed to enter mid- or senior-level positions.

    “The MBA class is a small group of high-quality participants to ensure a very high-level network,” Stefano said.

    The MBA class at SDA Bocconi has an average of little more than five years of professional experience, however the minimum qualification for applicants is three years.

    This differs from the Bocconi Master of Science (MSc) program, which does not require applicants to have professional experience beyond internship level.

    “It would be a mistake for a student with no professional experience to pursue an MBA. Similarly, someone with five years of experience would not be appropriate for an MSc course,” explains Carlo.

    The Master of Science program is designed for those in earlier stages of their careers, with graduates average 24 years of age. Candidates often start the program with little or no professional experience, and the curriculum prepares them for entry-level roles upon graduation.

    With the MSc’s specialized knowledge and skill set, graduates can expect to progress their careers quickly.

    Master of Management programs are commonly referred to as MiM degrees. Business schools may classify the program as a MiM, or as Bocconi University does, the management degree will fall under the Master of Science (MSc) category.

    This is because the Bocconi MSc in International Management focuses on data and multidisciplinary analysis.

    Because of the differences in approaches to MBA and master’s degrees, the MBA can be finished in as little as 12 to 15 months, whereas the MSc programs at Bocconi last two years.

    At Bocconi, the MSc degree costs approximately €18,000 per year, whereas the MBA costs €75,000.

    MBA versus MSc: Similarities and Differences

    The MBA and MSc programs at Bocconi University offer a diverse and international student body, with applicants coming from a variety of academic and industry backgrounds.

    “People who become leaders are capable of managing a diversified environment and diverse points of view,” Stefano said.

    The MBA program is larger in scope than the more technically oriented MSc programs, with the goal of developing business leaders and managers with diverse abilities and insights into managerial difficulties. The MBA curriculum is unique in that it incorporates key themes such as sustainability, artificial intelligence, and geopolitics.

    “The mission of the Bocconi MBA is to educate the leaders of tomorrow,” Stefano said.

    MSc program applicants must have a strong academic basis and a willingness to study. This is especially significant for new master’s degrees like the MSc in Artificial Intelligence, which require candidates to have an undergraduate background in relevant subjects like biotechnology or directly in AI.

    This is due to the technical nature of Bocconi’s MSc programs. Different programs provide unique concentrations, allowing students to adapt their education to their future job goals.

    Corporate finance is one of the concentrations available in the Master of International Management program. This is suitable for students looking for a financial background with less quantitative instruction than a Master of Finance, which is better suited to those looking for a specialized financial skill set.

    “We provide our students with a rigorous educational background, preparing them to face any major changes in their future profession,” Carlo said.

    MBA vs MSc Careers

    Following the Bocconi motto of “Knowledge that Matters,” the MBA and MSc programs emphasize implementing skills through practical experience so that graduates may hit the ground running in their jobs.

    Regardless of whether students pursue an MBA or an MSc degree, the programs provide a variety of options, including as internships, foreign exchanges, consultant work, and field projects, in which student teams confront real-world business difficulties for companies.

    Within the classroom, students get additional opportunity to engage with industry executives from multinational corporations who offer seminars and network with them.

    “The Master of Science is a bridge between university and the job market,” Carlo said.

    Bocconi MBA graduates frequently get jobs in leading consulting companies and international corporations. MBA graduates are increasingly attracted to new kinds of business partnership, such as pharmaceutical corporations’ private investment in digital technology.

    “This is the beauty of the MBA, we have to be ready to place the best candidate possible in the next sector, which is impossible to predict today,” Stefano said.

    Bocconi students with entrepreneurial ambitions will benefit from the B4i (Bocconi for Innovation) startup accelerator. Students from all programs are asked to present their startup idea for a chance to receive financing, mentoring, and training to help them establish their business.

    Whether you pick an MBA or an MSc, you will have plenty of opportunities to develop your business skills and network. If you’ve already worked in the business world for a few years, you might want to pursue an MBA, however if you’re just finishing up your undergraduate degree or have no job experience, an MSc might be the ideal option.

  • Top 7 Reasons to Opt for China for Your MBA Journey

    Top 7 Reasons to Opt for China for Your MBA Journey

    For many years, business school students seemed to have two options: study in Europe or study in North America. Now, everything has changed. Asia’s business schools rank high in the most renowned worldwide MBA rankings, with China leading the way.

    The rankings reflect the increased global interest in MBA schools in China. Tuition fees are often lower than in Europe or North America, and job opportunities are comparable to those in the West.

    Businessbecause listed some reasons why an increasing number of students are heading East to pursue an MBA in China:

    1. Combine Eastern and Western management techniques

    China originally opened its doors to the Western world in the late 1970s, and since then, East-West collaboration has increased significantly. Modern MBA schools in China have merged Western management principles into their curricula while maintaining Eastern beliefs.

    David Wong, a Chinese-American student, attended Fudan University School of Management and pursued an international MBA. According to David, the program served as a testing ground as he worked to integrate those various teaching and communication techniques.

    “If I landed a job in China and aligned with the Western style of working with people and communicating, I probably would have made various mistakes,” he said. “In a classroom setting, there is just one project. “There is no real career impact.”

    Thai student Tadsika Tharanachetda said the International MBA at Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Antai Business School helped her understand China in a global business environment.

    “It’s allowed me to delve deeper into understanding China and why it holds the place it has today,” she said. “The program also goes beyond the borders of China providing a distinct opportunity to learn from a global perspective.”

    2. Globally ranked MBA programs

    Business schools in China and Hong Kong have established themselves at the top of worldwide MBA rankings. Take, for example, the 2014 Financial Times Global MBA Ranking, which included only two regional schools in the top fifty. By 2024, the figure had tripled to six. Fudan University School of Management moved up from 83rd in 2014 to 27th in 2024.

    However, it is not only local schools that contribute to the region’s worldwide prominence. In recent decades, some of the world’s greatest universities, including NYU, Duke, and John Hopkins, have chosen to establish satellite campuses in China. Meanwhile, the joint MBA program at Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management and MIT Sloan is widely regarded as one of the best in the world.

    MBA rankings are no longer dominated by schools from Europe and North America. The rise of Chinese business schools is only projected to continue in the future years.

    3. Affordable MBA tuition prices

    Despite the growing global prominence of Chinese MBA programs, tuition remains lower than in Europe and North America.

    For example, the 22-month MBA program at Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management costs around 188,000 RMB, or $26,5000 USD. Zhejiang University School of Management offers a 2.5-year International MBA for around 336,000 RMB (USD$46,500). That’s a fraction of the tuition expenses at top American business schools, which may occasionally exceed $200,000.

    4. The highest post-MBA income increases in the world

    The 2024 FT Global MBA Ranking highlights the numerous employment opportunities that an MBA in China can provide.

    Fudan University MBA alumni witnessed their average pay increase by 194%, the second-highest gain of any school in the world. Similarly, the number of Peking University Guanghua School of Management graduates increased by 143%.

    5. High postgraduate employment rates

    An MBA no longer provides the career certainties it once did. MBA employment rates at some of the world’s top business schools are expected to fall by 2024. They are still strong in China, though.

    According to their most current employment data, all Antai MBA and Guanghua MBA grads found work within three months of graduation. Renmin Business School has a 96% employment rate, compared to Fudan University’s 91%.

    6. Silicon China

    Silicon Valley may be the world’s premier technology hub, but China is its direct opponent.

    Today, it is home to over 300 unicorns (startups worth more over $1 billion), and global tech behemoths Huawei, Tencent, and Lenovo are among its most prominent enterprises. The rapid expansion of China’s technology sector has been aided by the population’s widespread embrace of smartphone technology. China has 974 million smartphone users, which is around 300 million more than any other country.

    All of this means that there are more career prospects in China’s expanding technology sector than ever before. And pursuing an MBA is one of the most effective methods to break into it. The country’s top management schools now offer specialized tech electives, and technology is becoming an increasingly popular employment route for MBA graduates in China. For example, around 30% of Guanghua MBA students enter the technology business after graduation. At Tsinghua University, 31% of graduates work in the technology, media, and telecom (TMT) industries.

    7. Plenty of international exchanges

    Given China’s developing international relations with the rest of the globe, it’s only logical that Chinese business schools provide numerous options for global travel.

    Jiaming Liu, who attended Yale School of Management as part of the Fudan IMBA program, says his experience provided him with significant insights into the global technology business.

    “We’ve gotten tons of insight into the high-tech prospects between China, the EU, and the US,” he said.

    Partnerships between top Chinese and American business schools are not confined to Fudan. Tsinghua University collaborates with MIT Sloan to offer a world-class MBA program, while Zhejiang University School of Management allows Global MBA students to study abroad at business institutions such as Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management.

  • 3 Things You Should Know Before Going To Business School

    3 Things You Should Know Before Going To Business School

     

     

    Enrolling in a business master’s program might help you advance your career, but studying for a master’s degree can be difficult. This post will provide you with tips and ideas from current students to assist you overcome the numerous problems you’ll face during your master’s program.

    Here are three things you should know.

    1. Speak with alumni to choose your best fit program 

    A business master’s degree can help you realize your full career potential, but it’s critical to select the correct degree.

    Consider your alternatives and investigate your preferred colleges and programs.

    “It’s critical to find the program that’s right for you,” says Julia Thin, a Master of Management student at the National University of Singapore Business School.

    “Go on LinkedIn and search for people who were on the program, or especially those who are currently on the program,” Julia suggests. “That’s the best way to get answers.”

    2. Apply for a scholarship to help fund your degree

    Scholarships are an excellent method to make your business school ambitions a reality and help support your education. That was the situation with Pamela Mendoza, a Peruvian international student at emlyon management school MiM.

    emlyon management school provided Pamela with a scholarship, making the program affordable, when other top-ranked French schools were too expensive.

    However, after discovering that her scholarship would only pay half of her two-year degree, Pamela advises that you should make sure that the scholarship gives adequate financial help to fund your whole program.

    “They told me I could get a scholarship for the second year but I didn’t really investigate further. In the end it wasn’t that easy,” she says.

    3. Practice time management to make the most of your opportunities

    It’s not easy to seize all of the opportunities available at business school—that’s why time management is vital.

    “You’re always on the move, always trying to keep up with your assignments,” explains Caitlin Harshberger, MS Information Systems student at Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

    During her master’s degree, Caitlin devised a time management system that included a reminders app on her phone and a shared calendar. She also put her plans in a weekly planner, keeping them flexible to reduce stress.

    “I had to learn [time management] really fast because otherwise little things you forget to do turn into big things,” Caitlin explains.