2024-03-21 17:36:00
An MBA “Master of Business Administration” sounds like a direct passport to the highest positions in business. Is this really so? And for you, is this the right choice?
What is the MBA?
Acronym for Master of Business Administration, the MBA is an international diploma. Consequently, it is recognized in France and abroad. Since its creation a century ago at Harvard, the MBA has evolved significantly. Originally, it is a general program, dedicated to working professionals (the aptly named “executives”) identified by their hierarchy to occupy management positions.
Since the label can be used freely, schools attach its name to programs that have little to do with each other: general or specialized, intended for professionals, students, both…
Who is an MBA course for?
The main objective of this diploma is to hone your skills in business management and business administration. At the end of your studies, after one or two years (or even 10 years) of experience, the MBA allows you to take another step of high standards in terms of management and management. In the same way as the Masters or the Masters, the MBA is aimed at profiles of people wishing to go even further than their initial field of training. For example, this could be an engineer, a salesperson, a scientist or even a lawyer. The idea is to combine technical know-how with complementary knowledge. You can thus acquire qualifications in entrepreneurship and the business world, without having followed such a course during your previous years of study.
The profile of the participants: this is the first question to ask. Does the program you are targeting welcome students, current executives, business leaders? Depending on the program, admissions officers mix profiles to achieve good promotion osmosis (students, young graduates, active executives, etc.). This is also the interest of the MBA: building a network through diverse and united promotion.
What are the main expert areas of an MBA?
Whether you are a recent graduate or already have professional experience, an MBA course allows you to specialize and distinguish yourself among recruiters. This is particularly true if you wish to access a position with high responsibility. For your profile, as for your curriculum vitae, this is a significant differentiating element. Among the areas of expertise, we can focus on:
- finance and economics;
- le marketing ;
- management ;
- business strategy…
Courses in English, practical cases… The course of MBA studies
Due to its international recognition, the MBA is offered in English. This specificity concerns all subjects. Consequently, it is essential to master the language, as well as the technical particularities specific to the concepts covered. In France, the diploma requires training of 12 to 18 months, on average. This estimate depends on the establishment requested and the specialization.
It is also possible to pursue an MBA as a student abroad. In the latter case, you will need around two years of study, particularly in the United Kingdom, the United States or other Anglo-Saxon countries. The course of the diploma aims above all to make you operational as soon as you obtain it. Course monitoring focuses mainly on practical cases and concrete professional projects.
In addition to lectures, group work is essential in an MBA. The exchanges are based on joint research and even individual experiences. As a student, you are required to approach the point of view of a consultant or a business manager when faced with a given problem. In addition to course preparation, it is essential to carry out informative monitoring on current topics, in particular the international economy.
How to access an MBA?
As a Bac+5 type diploma, the MBA is subject to rigorous selection. Training establishments choose candidates according to their file, or even their means of financing. As an indication, it may then be interesting to anticipate this latter request by presenting a provisional management plan relating to the payment of studies. The establishments also organize an interview with each candidate. Among the prerequisites for completing this diploma, you must have a Bac+4 profile, at least.
Likewise, you must most often provide proof of professional experience. This can range from 4 to 8 years, or even 10 to 15 years, depending on the targeted MBA training. In addition to foreign language skills, especially English, it is essential to master the fields of mathematics, finance and economics. Technical profiles in accounting and statistical analysis are also appreciated.
Preliminary tests to join an MBA class
Registration for an MBA may be subject to a foreign language test. This could be the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or the TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language). Considering the admission conditions, these tests may be required by the training establishment or carried out at your initiative. The total duration of the tests is between 3:30 and 4:30 hours. They generally include questions relating to:
- practical cases and problems to be resolved;
- MCQs (multiple choice questionnaires);
- oral comprehension and written expression exercises.
An interview to select MBA candidates
Before being able to access the MBA, the interview is another essential step. The selection is not only based on your skills, but also on your personality to form a homogeneous class of students/participants. It is recommended to remain clear, to present your motivations, your project. In other words: how can training help you achieve your goals?
Just like a job interview, good preparation remains essential before meeting your interviewer. Remember to find out about the establishment you wish to join, as well as the specific features of the program. Finally, do not hesitate to highlight your strengths and skills and do not ignore possible weaknesses.
There is a mix of ages and backgrounds: graduates in science, business, law, etc. Recruiters are looking for complementarity among participants who will bring real life to the programs.
Which MBA to choose?
Although the MBA benefits from international recognition, the name is not subject to any regulation or protection. Consequently, an establishment is entitled to use the acronym for training that is more or less distant from the content of the “real” Master of Business Administration. We thus distinguish different diplomas which deviate from initial training.
It can also be a substitute for a specialized master’s degree. Hence the importance of finding out about the programs and the type of course you wish to join. To help you better navigate, you can consult the national directory of professional certifications (RNCP). This allows you to check the accreditations and certifications of schools or establishments that offer an MBA.
The purpose of the MBA is to build your network, on the one hand, and to add to your profile a skill that will intelligently complement it on the other hand. Typical examples: an engineer takes a general MBA to learn how to manage a team; a management school graduate chooses a specialized MBA to acquire more technical expertise in a field.
The executive MBA: full-time or part-time training opportunities
In the event that you want to choose a traditional path, opt for the executive MBA. It is suitable, for example, to realize an entrepreneurial project or for a candidate with a technical profile who wishes to acquire skills in a specific field. Part-time, the program most often takes place over 18 months.
As for the full-time MBA, it constitutes a viable alternative for young executives. On the other hand, it is necessary to anticipate the question of financing. In addition to paying for the year of training, the candidate no longer has his usual remuneration. For information, there are also distance learning MBAs. We can in particular talk about Masters of Business Administration online which use practices from the e-learning method.
The essential criteria for selecting the right MBA
Always considering the offer of the establishments, you have the possibility of moving towards a general or specialized MBA. To help you better choose the diploma that corresponds to your needs and your project, you can take into account several selection criteria. Among these are the following:
- Consult the establishments’ programs and feedback from former students.
- The very high price of the programs is one of the first criteria to take into account. And the return on investment to be calculated taking into account additional post-MBA income. The price varies from 5,000 to 90,000 euros in France, and up to 150,000 euros in the United States.
- Find out about the reputation, accreditations (Equis, AMBA, AACSB) and the ranking of training structures.
- Participate in various open days, fairs and meetings such as the Executive MBA lounge.
Also remember to prepare your project carefully according to your knowledge and expectations. The Master of Business Administration program must correlate with the targeted skills. Among the different specialized MBAs, we can mention financial auditing, strategic management, international trade, supply chain, entrepreneurial strategy and digital.
What are the opportunities and benefits of an MBA?
A promotion and a new professional network opening up new perspectives, high-level speakers inspiring your future projects, stays abroad and a professional level of English, quality teachers and courses giving you a new foundation and confidence. .. An MBA course will open up a new professional life for you to breathe new life into your career.
The interest of an MBA is also a financial interest, according to certain studies it can allow you to double your salary between that before and after the training.
Upon obtaining your MBA, you have many career opportunities. You can first of all carry out an entrepreneurial project, such as creating your own company. As a freelancer or employee of a large account, the consultant position is particularly suitable for holders of a Master of Business Administration. Other professional prospects are also within your reach by being able to access offers previously reserved for an elite.
What are the main sectors to target with an MBA?
Given its status, the MBA is highly valued in international business. A dynamic sector, it remains a safe bet for launching or developing your career. You can then move towards an MBA International Business Development. Other professional activities are looking for talents who have this diploma. Among these are:
We can also add international business development. These can be dedicated to private structures, on behalf of a State, or even a non-profit organization.
A selection of professions accessible to MBA holders
Regarding professions where the MBA remains in demand, many career prospects are possible. Non-exhaustively, there are several positions of responsibility. This includes the DG/CEO, marketing director, financial director (DAF), communications director, or even public relations executive.
Other professions are also accessible if you have a Master of Business Administration. In the field of international trade, you can turn to a position as a business developer, luxury goods manager, export manager or managing partnerships across different countries.
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