Archive for November, 2010

High Scores Give You Choices

MBA programs can be competitive: top schools take top GMAT-scorers, because those who do well on this exam are more likely to do well in their MBA programs. This not only affects the graduates, but the programs, too. Having successful graduates is key to business school reputation, and top schools are very focused on what their alumni will do after college.

But if your own GMAT scores are not in the best-of-the-best category, don’t panic. Going to a top-tier business school is not required for success. As you’re researching MBA programs, just make sure you check out schools’ GMAT requirements first. This will help you to stay focused on schools that are possible for you, which will save you time and aggravation.

Once you get through the GMAT hoop, you’ll need to face the interview hoop. For many business schools, personality is as significant as GMAT scores (as you know, personality plays a key role in business-career success). Previous educational and work experience is also important in the admission process, as it’s good for MBA programs to include people from different backgrounds. This is not only for the sake of diversity, but also because having a wide range of backgrounds better allows students to learn from one another, an important part of any learning process.

Sports and Recreation

I recently heard about an MBA program that sounded interesting: Sports and Recreation management. Wow, what an ideal job this program could lead to! I was curious about the subjects the program included.

I found that the core subjects were the same as other MBA programs–management, finance, leadership, business writing—but with an additional focus on the sporting world. For instance, MBA Sports Management courses might include:

• Sports Economics
• Sports Ethics
• Sports and the Marketplace
• Sports Marketing
• Sports Sponsorship

Many people grow up dreaming of landing a career in the sports’ world. While very few will make it as professional athletes, MBA Sports and Recreation management programs could open the door to many other exciting jobs in the field.

People and Reputations

Deciding on which business school to get your MBA is a biggie. To narrow down your choices, get out a piece of paper and answer the following questions (seriously write them down; it will help to have it out in front of you):

1. Do you want to study in a classroom or online?

2. Do you want to study in a particular specialty area for your MBA, such as Information Systems?

3. Do you want your program to include an internship?

- – - – -

1. This one is easy: if you want to study online, you simply eliminate programs that do not offer it.

2. Specialty areas are trickier to decide upon. If you’re not sure, talk to some people working in the field, especially to those whose jobs you might like to have someday. Once you decide if you want to specialize, and if so, on what, check out MBA programs’ professors. Scour their CVs for their educational backgrounds, previous work experience, publications, etc.

3. Internships are excellent ways to gain first-hand experience and possibly make contacts in the field. But programs without them should not be automatically eliminated. For each school that does not include internships, ask what they do to provide hands-on experience, how they are connected to local or national businesses, etc.

By giving some thought to these three questions, you can more easily narrow down your choices of MBA programs.

Holiday Topics

A former boss of mine used to complain that for every holiday day off, the day before was turned into a big time waster. “Every 1-day holiday,” he grumbled, “turns into 2 days of nothing being done.”

Bosses everywhere face the same dilemma: many employees take the day before holidays off; those who show up for work often spend the day chattering about holiday plans, eating cookies, etc.

Is there a manager out there who has figured out how to keep the pre-holiday workday a real workday, without resorting to total Scroogeness? This would be a great topic for human resources classes: how to handle the pre-holiday workplace, including punctuality, party seasons, effective scheduling. It could also be a fantastic idea for an independent project for your online MBA program.

It’s a special manager who can get people to work around festivities without turning into Scrooge. Thoughtful humor, as in “I’m laughing but am still serious,” is one approach for this.

Commitment

Studying for an MBA is a long term commitment. Earning your MBA online means you will have to be extra responsible to that commitment, since you will be in charge of your class and study schedule. You will need to set aside hours every week, including on the weekends, in order to:

• read instructors’ materials and/or listen to online lectures
• meet assignment deadlines
• complete necessary research for assignments
• network with fellow students and staff

If you can meet this commitment, the rewards could be great. For one, your salary should ultimately increase: an average salary for an MBA holder is around $90,000, says the U.S. Department of Labor. You should also face greater job choice, which means you could find a job that truly interests you.

So, completing an MBA program is a big commitment. As with many commitments, the reward can be well worth the time and energy. When job offers and advanced pay becomes your reality, you’ll be happy you committed.