MANAGEMENT EDUGATION

7odoor
Twenty yeans
nottodo?
of
ago,onlya handful
MBApnognammes weneoffenedin
Today,
the countny. ane
Malaysians
fonchoice
spoilt
sp0rltlon as sc0nes
cnotce of
oI
postgnaduate degnees,
business
localandintennational, nowfillthe
marketplace, ls thisa positive
of ounvibnant
neflection education
scenaniooninstead to an
a tniggen
ominouscallfoncaveatemptor?
DnAndyWoooffenssomefoodfon
thoughtto thoseat the MBA-no
MBAcnossroads.
-l\ immediately get a new Position the New MBA holders are particularly hard
fl-any mid-level execuLivesand
moment they complete the programme or hit because, upon completion of their
o,
lVlxn:: :'fJffi:,1[:'j'^?l are conferred the degree.
The MBA has traditionah been a
MBAs, their expectations are high
especially if they have made great
degree in the hope of cashing in on the
opportunities offered by improved iob degree for students who wish to remain sacrifices or toiled through a vigorous
marker condirions in dris regron. at their workplace but move up 2 rung or programme of wodd-class standhg. But
Although the popuiat myth that getting two to the executive level, for instance all these hooes can be shattered tn ahalf-
an MBA translates into assured career operations managefs aiming for a shot at hour interview; it is how one performs at
advancement still lingers, there ate actual being General Managers. However, it is the interview rhat matters most in many
instances when executives have excelled not uncommon to find many candidates instances. The reality of the fact is that
in their otganisations, thanks to their now who apply for MBA courses in the the MBA can only help to substantiate
MBAs. For many others, an MBA hope of switching companies or careers. the candidate's knowledge and experience
enhances theit knowledge and skills as with others who start expioring changes up to a certain extent.
they weather job layoffs during an after scenting new'pastures from theit
economic downturn, or as they undergo a coursework or from mingling with their Sowhat'san MBAgoodfor?
transition to another company, industty high-achieving classmates. MBA graduates do have advantages.
or entirely different path of life. W1hile our economy is officially out of Firsdy, doing the course part time with a
recession with a healthy GDP growth, the full time job requires a lot of self-
really
Butcanthedegree oudook for more senior management
jobs temains grim, especially for positions
discipline and sacrifices w-hich go a long
way to demonstrate the true essence of
deliver? in upper management, which because the person. Secondlv.rhey get to learn
Personally, I wouid say that the answer they are more special,ised,take ionget to some of the latest managemeflt
is yes - if executives have realistic fill. And companies can affotd to be principles, techniques and practices in use
expectations and are prepated to take the picky; many students keen to make a by top-notched companies; and thirdly,
tght steps to help themselves. Flowever, careet change often lose out to candidates they get to experiment on and learn from
one thing is certain; they cannot expect to with more direcrJyrelevant experience.

Jan-Mar2006 | MANAGEMENT
 practical case studies which provide some
of the most pricelesslearning experiences.
At the same time, those who pursue
an MBA from repurable instirurions
which adhere to strict quality control in
terms of facilitators and student intake
will enjoy high returns on their
mvestment. Moreover, they get to build a
valuable network with ciassmates who
bring with them exrensive vorking
experience and who would most likely
hold senior management positions lztet, if
not alreadr'.
Whatnext?
Before deciding to embark on a costly
two-year MBA course, here ate several
practtcal guidelines to help ensure that
you get the best out of it and that it can
meer your expectatrons:
Look before you leap. prospective
students should think about career
strategies even befote they apply.
AppJicants should take a close look at the
stage where their career is at and how
they are progressing. Take a self-analysis,
understand your own strengths and
weaknesses,and ask yourself:
I "What did I do ro get ro where I am?"
I "\{/here do I see myself in 3, 5 and 10
years' time?"
Having decided whete you u/ant to go
and what you u/ant to be, then formulate
a petsonal vision and mission for yourself
and decide on what it will take for you to
achieve those goals and objectives. It is
often helpful to discuss the above with
your family members and sometimes,
close friends. A personal coach might
help tremendously albeit at a fee. Being
objective and independent, a professional
coach can candidly identify strengths and
weaknesses which you may not have
realised yourseif.
If you find that a MBA is patt of the
pte-requisite for you to get to where you
\r/ant to go, then start searching for a
programme and instirution that wiil
provide you the best ingredients to realise
your vision. Not all MBAs are equal, so
you must be very careful in deciding on
the institution that offers it. A good
institution wili be abie to provide not only
a good curriculum supported by industry-
experienced facilitators, but also high-
calibred students who are of invaluabie
networking value. For example, there are
MBAs offered by local insrirutions
conducted by full-time lecturers or
professors who might have lost touch
with the indusry and current pracrices.
and tely solely on rextbook theories.
Wotst still, you might find half the class
filled with forergn srudents who are
unable to communicate well in English,
and as a result, provide little or zero
networking value. Hence, though price
might be a considetation ln your
evaluation, it should not be the key
cdterion.
Develop a plan. You should begin
working out a plan and putring it down
on paper with the selection cntetia ar'd
objectives spelt out. Understand what it
will take for you to reach them, and lay
out concfete steps you can take to
complete the course and gain the most
out of it. Many students who jump into
just any programme often end up
disappointed and not being able to
complete it.
Exploit the network. \)rhile the
course material you cover in an MBA is
valuable, the opportuflity to interact with
others in your class could be just as
mportant to your career. Business
contacts and networking are one of the
most important aspectsof the
programme. Just imagine, working with a
study group of students who are senior
managers over a two-year period building
confidence, trust and comradeship that
otherwise cannot be obtained elsewhete.
The terurns of the investment in both
monetary terms and time for the MBA
programme will be worth a hundred times
its original value if one phone call to a
"fotmer classmate" sometime in the
future can help you clinch an important
deal or solve a critical ptoblem.
Today, employers are also swamped
with applicaLionsfor every posirion
available and even those that ate not;
hence, personal inttoductions make it a
lot easiet to get interviews. This is where
classmates can provide inside information
about companies, industries or colleagues,
gling you an edge ovet other applicants.
Additionaliy, these classmates can act as
good referees for you.
Don't expect magic. Srudents on a
good MBA programme are often
disappointed to find that it takes more
effort and time than they had initially
expected. Let's face it - if an MBA
programme is worth its reputation of
being an excellent one, thefl it wi,ll
definitely require a lot of hard work. The
hard work you invest will pay off
immeasurably in the long term as it will
help to inculcate a selrse of quality and a
mentality of continuous learning.
Therefore, be prepared for a iot of hard
work, intelligent intetaction and along
with it - knowledge with fun.
Choose carefully" Select an MBA
pfogramme that not only provides the
academic and theoretical knou4edge but
also the taining and facilitation of
leadership qualities and personal
developmenr. This is an imporranr aspecr
of a well-rounded programme that will
help you to become a better leader and
enhance your "personal vaiue".
Thetefore, in conclusion, taking the
MBA is definitely worth it. The question
now 1snot so much whether you should
take an MBA, but rather which MBA
programme you should take if you are
ambitious and desire to enrich your
career. Although a lot of carcer
opporrunities depend on the inherent
quality of each candidate, having an MBA
- regatdiess of the discipLine or area of
specialisation - does provide a distinct
added advanragefo the execut.iveor
manager being considered for a
promotion, new job application or
consulting contract. I
Dr Andy Woo is a General Council member
of the Malaysian Institute of Management.
Jan-Mar2006 I MANAGEMENT