A point might come in your career when you ask yourself how you can “level up” or accelerate your professional trajectory. We at mbaMission have advised many candidates over the years on whether an EMBA (Executive MBA) program might be right for them. These programs are becoming increasingly popular, so we have compiled a list of reasons you might want to consider pursuing the EMBA option.
An EMBA program might be a good choice for you if…
You are on the executive track with managerial experience.
The top EMBA programs are looking for “executives” first and foremost. This means that in addition to having a minimum of ten years of work experience, you should have people-management experience or at least be on the executive, or junior executive, track (for example, you oversee projects or teams even if they do not report directly to you).
You prefer to remain at your job while getting your degree.
EMBA programs are usually offered on a part-time basis on weekends over an 18- to 24-month time frame. For example, Columbia Business School offers two EMBA options: (1) Friday and Saturdays, and (2) Saturdays only. UPenn Wharton’s EMBA classes are held on Friday and Saturday of alternate weekends, plus several extended sessions.
This format allows students to remain at their jobs and immediately apply the lessons they learn in the classroom to their work environment and responsibilities. The opportunity cost of this kind of program is therefore lower, given that students are not required to pause their careers while they pursue their degree. If you like your job and wish to stay in it while you earn your MBA, an EMBA program would be a good choice for you.
You prefer to network with classmates who are more mature or more tenured in their career.
While many students in two-year MBA programs are seeking to explore their career options, most EMBA students already have clearly defined goals and a set career path. If you value interacting with classmates who are more mature and have more experience in their career, an EMBA program is likely a better fit for you.
You feel that having technical expertise alone is not enough as you progress in your career.
Many EMBA students do not come from traditional business backgrounds. In fact, a good percentage of them tend to be attorneys, engineers, accountants, and so on. However, as they attain ever more senior levels at work, they are increasingly asked to manage business issues and people. This shift in responsibilities can give a person the sense that their technical expertise might not be sufficient on its own to support them as they advance in their careers. An EMBA can provide you with the knowledge and skills you would need in a top leadership position in many companies and/or industries.
You are prepared to juggle work, family, and personal life while in school.
Because EMBA programs are part-time, you will have to hold down a demanding full-time job while attending classes, meeting with your study groups, studying for exams, completing course work and projects, and maintaining your family responsibilities and personal life—all at the same time! This is no easy feat. Although an EMBA program might check all the boxes with respect to what you require to accelerate your career, keep in mind the demands it will make on your time and family life. In reality, EMBA students do sometimes drop out before earning their degree, often because of work or family/personal reasons. So, be sure you have the full support of your family and employer before you embark on your EMBA journey.
You want to grow your network globally.
Top schools recognize the need to expand access to elite business professionals around the world. To do so, they are increasingly offering online and/or blended EMBA programs. For example, Wharton launched its first-ever international cohort through its Global Executive MBA program in May 2023. This 22-month learning format brings together students from around the globe for a learning experience that is 25% in-person and 75% live online. If you wish to grow your network globally and are open to an online format, a program like Wharton’s could help you do so more easily than before.
If you would like to discuss your profile in more detail or receive targeted guidance on your EMBA plans or application, sign up for a free 30-minute consultation with an experienced mbaMission consultant.