I observe that in the UK most MBA focus on strategic issues - analysis and change - rather than 'management'. Most people do not deal with these issues: in small businesses these are informal and implicit, in large businesses even senior managers are dealing with the tactical issues of implementing programmes and delivering 'the plan'. with strategy set at board level in conjunction with consultants and investors. Furthermore in the Uk we operate in silo's, encouraged by the rise of the recruitment consultant, where specialism (marketing, sales, finance) counts for more than a broad management skill set
For me, taking an MBA post the age of 40 resulted in in two years without work being told I lacked seniority, was over qualified, or more specialist enough, and two more years on a salary substantially below that I had earned before the MBA. After ten years I am back where I was in income terms but over ten years I have earned 20% less than simply staying in my previous role.
For older employees I would really advise that they think twice about a full time MBA, and also that they consider a more specialist masters degree (finance, market research, marketing, regulation, IT) instead.
So my question is: do we have too many business schools? too many MBAs now, making many low in value?
Graham UK
I agree that , 'executive education (by business schools) is perceived to be too theoretical'. Business executive education can show evidence of making a difference if coursework is designed to enhance participant problem-solving abilities to be more persistent, strategic, creative and resourceful. In addition to developing these problem-solving skills, a functionally broad curriculum will best serve students and employers best knowing:
Today's college graduates will average seven to eight different jobs during their lifetime and these positions may involve several different careers.
50% of their college education will be obsolete in five years.
I am a huge advocate of casework at the undergraduate level. Typical graduate business school (MBA) programs rely primarily on the case approach in most of their courses; however, why do we find little, if any, casework in the curriculum at most undergraduate business schools? There is a real-world application gap between most undergraduate and graduate business programs. The benefits of casework at the undergraduate level are significant, including:
Creating true engagement and interest by applying academic content to real-world application.
Enhancing problem solving skills to become more strategic, creative, and resourceful.
Enhancing written presentation skills, including effective consolidation of information using summary tables along with developing computer application skills in spreadsheets, databases and graphing.
Therefore in selecting business courses key criteria should include casework with rigorous problem solving along with a functionally broad curriculum to prepare one for a dynamic career.
I observe that in the UK most MBA focus on strategic issues - analysis and change - rather than 'management'. Most people do not deal with these issues: in small businesses these are informal and implicit, in large businesses even senior managers are dealing with the tactical issues of implementing programmes and delivering 'the plan'. with strategy set at board level in conjunction with consultants and investors. Furthermore in the Uk we operate in silo's, encouraged by the rise of the recruitment consultant, where specialism (marketing, sales, finance) counts for more than a broad management skill set
For me, taking an MBA post the age of 40 resulted in in two years without work being told I lacked seniority, was over qualified, or more specialist enough, and two more years on a salary substantially below that I had earned before the MBA. After ten years I am back where I was in income terms but over ten years I have earned 20% less than simply staying in my previous role.
For older employees I would really advise that they think twice about a full time MBA, and also that they consider a more specialist masters degree (finance, market research, marketing, regulation, IT) instead.
So my question is: do we have too many business schools? too many MBAs now, making many low in value?
I agree that , 'executive education (by business schools) is perceived to be too theoretical'. Business executive education can show evidence of making a difference if coursework is designed to enhance participant problem-solving abilities to be more persistent, strategic, creative and resourceful. In addition to developing these problem-solving skills, a functionally broad curriculum will best serve students and employers best knowing:
I am a huge advocate of casework at the undergraduate level. Typical graduate business school (MBA) programs rely primarily on the case approach in most of their courses; however, why do we find little, if any, casework in the curriculum at most undergraduate business schools? There is a real-world application gap between most undergraduate and graduate business programs. The benefits of casework at the undergraduate level are significant, including:
Therefore in selecting business courses key criteria should include casework with rigorous problem solving along with a functionally broad curriculum to prepare one for a dynamic career.
See my postings entitled, 'Enhancing Strategic, Creative and Resourceful Problem Solving', 'Undergraduates Deserve Case Work with Shorter and Topic-Specific Mini-Cases'
Professor Paul Heller
paulrheller.com: 'Propelling Undergraduate Business Schools Forward'