How to choose MBA programmes for advanced career opportunities

Why might an MBA be important to you?

As a globally recognised and well respected qualification, MBAs are becoming an increasingly popular choice. Their importance in the business world have become more prevalent and numerous senior management jobs require this qualification. If you interested in pursuing one of the MBA courses, you may be thinking “why MBA?” Here are some reasons why MBA programmes are beneficial for your career:

• Career graph: Most people aim for a career graph with an upward slope. Today’s professional world is performance-driven and it is helpful for you to have an edge over you contemporaries. MBA courses present you with a string of opportunities that can help you grow in your career.
• Knowledge bank: Irrespective of the career you choose, it is important to have technical knowledge in that field. The syllabus of MBA programmes is designed to equip you with skills that will assist you in real-world situations. Knowledge is imperative if you want to face the industry you are working in.
• Networking: Networking is a key aspect of the professional life. It is important for your professional growth and comes in handy when you decide to switch jobs. While pursuing an MBA degree, you will get ample opportunities to connect with like-minded people from your profession.
• Self-growth: Personality development contributes significantly to your professional growth. The MBA provides a platform where you can explore your strengths and learn how to exploit them. Moreover, you can understand where your true potential lies and work towards achieving it.
• Exposure: An MBA from a reputed institute presents you with the opportunity to work and learn with established companies or even exciting start-ups. While the MBA is an extremely sought-after professional course, it holds more value when you pursue it from a premium institute. This is due to accreditations for both the institution and course, such as AMBA, EQUIS, AACSB and more. This will help you interact with successful professionals, understand how markets work in the business dynamics and acquire practical expertise.

What can you do with an MBA?

As an MBA graduate, you will have a variety of career paths to choose from, such as:

• Financial Manager: As a financial manager, your job responsibilities will include reviewing financial reports, monitoring accounts and making financial predictions. Financial managers play a vital role in the business dynamics, given that their expertise is used by organisations for financial decision-making.
• Investment Banker: The job responsibilities of an investment banker includes:
  Assisting clients in raising capital by issuing debt or selling equity;
  Helping clients with mergers and acquisitions;
  Advising clients on investment opportunities and decisions.
• Marketing Manager: As a marketing manager, your job role would include the development, implementation and execution of marketing strategies to generate revenue and widen the customer base for an organisation.
• Sales Manager: Typically, the job responsibilities of a sales manager are to resolve customer grievances, develop strategies to widen customer base, implement effective sales techniques and realise sales goals. A sales manager is also responsible for supervising sales executives in order to ensure that sales goals are identified and met within an agreed time frame.
• Health Services Manager: The job role of a health services manager includes:
  Planning and coordinating services in hospitals and clinics
  Supervising operations in specific departments or facilities
  Ensuring quality patient care is provided in healthcare facilities

Which is better – a part-time or full-time MBA?

Education institutions currently offer part-time as well as full-time MBA programmes, in order to cater to the needs of the students. If you are undecided about what your choice should be, here is a detailed comparison for you:

• Admissions: The admission process for full-time MBAs is thorough and lengthy. Moreover, admission interviews are mandatory for full-time MBA courses, as admission teams meticulously evaluate applicants. On the other hand, admission interviews are not always compulsory for part-time MBA students. Additionally, the course commencement date for full-time programmes is generally fixed for all students. However, applicants of part-time MBA have the liberty to choose from various dates to join a course.
• Flexibility: Part-time MBA students have the flexibility to choose from a set of different types of classes. For example, they can opt for weekend classes or weekday classes, depending on what best suits them. Unlike part-time MBA, the class schedule for a full-time MBA is fixed.
• Work and study: Students can work alongside their studies of an MBA programme, thanks to the flexibility of their course. However, full-time MBA students do not have this advantage, as full-time courses tend to be more time-consuming.
• Networking: While this is an advantage for both MBA programmes, it is more prevalent with full-time courses. Peer-to-peer learning and interaction with a diverse bunch of people is easier when there are less virtual elements to it.

How to choose the right business school

If you have decided to take up an MBA course, the next step would be to choose the right business school for you. This can be a lengthy process, so we are here to extend a helping hand. Here are some tips to help you choose from the range of business schools out there:

• Course structure: It is important that the MBA program you choose is in line with your area of interest. While choosing an MBA course, ensure that you have all details about the course structure, optional subjects offered and its relevance to your choice of study. The course should equip you with skills that will be applicable in your future professional life.
• Culture: Whether you are choosing a local or international school, the location of the institute is significant. If you are opting for a local school, adapting to the culture will not be an issue. However, if you are going for one of the international business schools, make sure that you are open to adapting new cultures.
• Quality education: The success of an institute is largely dependent on the quality of its education. Make sure that you research in detail about the accreditations of the college, world ranking and placement ratios, in order to make the right choice.
• Global impact: Pursuing a degree from an institute that is globally recognised is important. This will not only help you in working for high-end companies, but will also ensure that you acquire a global perspective about business dynamics.

GISMA Business School offers a wide range of part-time and full-time MBA programmes such as:

Grenoble Ecole de Management’s MBA

If this MBA isn’t for you, then take a look at very similar courses which are also well respected with industry accreditations:

• Grenoble Ecole de Management’s Master in International Business
• The University of Law’s MSc Strategic Business Management
• Kingston University’s MSc International Business Management

GISMA has centrally located campuses in Berlin and Hannover. It offers a diverse and international environment for its students. To find out more about the MBA programmes offered by GISMA, click here.