Experience makes the MBA

Without hands-on practice in the real world, an academic degree may be viewed as inadequate

As companies bolster their talent reserves to make the most of continuing economic growth – while also keeping an eye on an uncertain global economy – executives with MBAs are in demand once more. But not just any MBA, says a director of recruitment firm Robert Half International , Andrew Brushfield .

MBAs, Brushfield says, “haven’t lost their lustre” since the global financial crisis, partly because business schools have been quick to remedy weaknesses in MBA programs exposed by the crisis.

“MBAs are evolving in line with the current business environment,” he says. “Business schools are changing and enhancing aspects of their programs in line with business and management trends that have emerged since the global financial crisis.”

Brushfield has noticed that clients with MBAs from prestigious business schools tend to be “very particular” about where graduates have obtained an MBA: graduates from their alma mater are “very highly regarded”.

“They’re less interested in distance-learning MBAs or lower-profile schools,” he says. “They don’t dismiss these qualifications entirely but they don’t have the same credibility as qualifications from the big reputable schools.”

Another clear message from clients, Brushfield says, is a preference for MBA graduates with work experience. Candidates with five years’ experience between their undergraduate degree and MBA are more likely to appeal to employers.

“I don’t want to quash the enthusiasm of younger people who want to gain university qualifications but the more real-life experience they have, the better,” he says.

“You may be the best qualified 22 or 23-year-old in the world, but if you don’t have any experience you’re not going to appeal as much as a 30-year-old MBA with some experience behind you and loads of career still ahead.”

Alec Bashinsky , national partner in charge of people and performance at professional services firm Deloitte , also places a premium on experience.

“We see an MBA as being an additional achievement on a CV. It gives us an insight into the individual,” Bashinsky says. “But we also look for broader experience, job experience with other blue-chip employers, which is more important to us than the MBA itself.”

Without a track record, he adds, an MBA will not necessarily be a ticket to success. “There are a lot of people who have done brilliantly in their MBAs, who are very competent in the theory but who struggle with the ability to execute.”

The employment services officer at The University of Queensland Business School, Tim Burton, says the market for MBAs in 2009 had tightened but employers are much more interested in MBA talent this year.

“Good talent is easily placed,” Burton says.

BRW

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