Are You EMBA Material?

An Executive MBA is not for the faint hearted. Due to the nature of the program – delivered in short durations over evenings, weekends, or weeks at a time, depending on your chosen school – you, the EMBA candidate, will get a lot of information in a very short space of time. Each session is intense, so it is important to stay focused and to have done your homework before and after. However, the benefit of the Executive MBA is once you have learnt it, you can implement it into your work the very next time you sit down in the office.

It may seem an obvious question, but when an EMBA program requires a huge investment of time and money, you need to be sure it is exactly what you want. Consider your career goals – does management feature in them, and if so what type of management? An Executive MBA gives you an overview of different aspects of management; you will also be able to tailor your own qualification by choosing specific electives. But if you want something more specialized, such as HR for example, you may be better off choosing a specialist masters’ program.

Networking is key to business success, so any opportunity to meet with new and like-minded people is not to be missed. Enrol in an EMBA and you will be studying alongside other candidates from all corners of the globe, with a variety of background experience and an extensive network of contacts of their own. Many EMBA graduates say the people they met while studying have gone on to become life-long friends, colleagues and even business partners. So, if you are looking to extend your network in the real world – not just the social media world – enrolling in an EMBA could be just what you are looking for.

It’s a fact: Executive MBA programs cost money – a lot of money - so are you prepared to not only invest your time and energy into this program but also your savings? There are other financial alternatives such as loans, scholarships and company sponsorship, but you are likely to need to put some of your own money into your EMBA as well. It will be worth it in the long run, but your return on investment won’t happen overnight. Make sure you are in a financial position to consider an EMBA, particularly in the current economic climate when less company sponsorship is available and banks are making it harder to take out loans.

The Executive MBA is a joint program – between you and your employer. You need to make a commitment if you have decided to pursue an EMBA, but your employer does as well. After all, they need to give you time away from the office, be considerate of your study commitments and be prepared to support you financially. However, they will expect a return on their investment. If you are considering a career switch, moving companies or establishing your own business, a full time MBA may be more appropriate.

You may think with your years of work experience, previous qualifications and skills you have acquired you don’t need the GMAT to prove yourself to admissions directors. Well think again. Almost all EMBA programs will require candidates to submit their GMAT score, so add it to your list of things to do if you are considering an EMBA. Yes, it is another hurdle in the admissions process, but it is a hurdle worth overcoming. It will show the admissions directors of your preferred business schools that you are serious about pursuing the EMBA. It will also prepare you for the intensity of study that awaits you.

As Henry Ford once said: “if you think you can or you think you can’t... you are right.” If you think you are EMBA material then chances are you will be. Anyone considering this prestigious qualification will already have the majority of skills and attributes admissions directors are looking for. So, with the belief that you can do it, start researching EMBA programs today. The QS World Executive MBA Tour travels twice a year to a city near you. Find out where and when and meet with some of the world’s top EMBA programs on your doorstep.