Although an executive position may be within your grasp, there are some milestones that must be met in order to fully benefit from the Executive MBA admittance.
Many people’s careers reach a point where they have attained and surpassed the much-desired managerial level, and the only option left is to move up to a C-level executive post (or laying the groundwork for a business of your own). While this trip may appear to be a natural extension of a successful manager’s career, it may out to be the most arduous. However, this is where the Executive MBA comes in. Executive education is a rock-solid, spot-on option for people who have reached a desired level in their work and want to prepare for the final step on the corporate ladder.
Despite the fact that the EMBA has its own set of entry requirements, there are some milestones that managers should ensure they have met before enrolling in an EMBA programme.
Here are four that we believe will assist future EMBA participants in being fully prepared for the voyage.
Managerial experience of at least ten years
Work experience isn’t merely a gimmick to keep graduates from getting their first job. It is a must-have for managers who want to advance to C-level positions. Although ten years may seem like a long time (and it is), it is ample time for the skills and practises connected with management job to become second nature. To be ready for the far more difficult executive function, you must have held a managerial post for at least a decade, similar to how the career journey normally begins with assistant and specialist positions and takes many years before you can genuinely call yourself a manager.
Unlike standard MBA programmes, the Executive MBA equips managers to take on the responsibilities of their previous superiors, from regional head and division head to CFO and CTO. As a result, it is necessary to have progressed to a specific point in your work before beginning the EMBA programme.
Professional experience
While staying with the same firm for your whole career is admirable, a competent manager must have gained many skills over the course of their career, like cross-cultural teamwork, supply chain management, and a thorough understanding of operations, to name a few. While these abilities come naturally with ten or more years of management experience, they also necessitate expertise in a variety of divisions or firms to achieve adaptability.
As a result, having a diverse job background with expertise in several departments or organisations, as well as the ability to manage various teams in various situations, is a valuable asset to have before starting your Executive MBA in UAE.
Choosing between a stable employment and a better option
When starting your EMBA, it’s critical to have family support because it might take a toll on your time and attention. Your family must be aware of this and provide you with support. However, because the Executive MBA will have an impact on your career as well as your family and friends, it is critical that your team and superiors understand and are prepared to play along. When we say “stable,” we’re referring to this. You’re about to go on a journey in which you can’t afford for your commitment and resolve to be shattered.
But don’t be concerned. There is also some positive news. Some international companies may co-sponsor your degree and fully support you in your endeavour, while the majority of EMBA programmes will allow you to work part-time. This will provide you more time for work and family, albeit on a limited basis (well, maybe not so much for work, but you already know you’ll have to work regardless). Make no doubt about it. The schedule will be challenging.
Companies that are unwilling to give their managers time to pursue Executive MBA degrees may be an issue for potential applicants. Make sure you have a plan in place to deal with this. Perhaps you’ll work for another company after graduation, or you’ll start your own. To use military jargon, you must secure your flanks in order to assure the offensive’s success. It’s up to you whether it implies a steady status quo or a viable alternative.
Experiential Learning
While some may not believe that wisdom comes with age, life experience is tied to age in some way. Life experience differs from managerial experience.
The latter entails a far more complicated and intelligent approach to life — balanced issue solving, intelligent social and professional communication, and firm and responsible decision-making.
Dynamic managers and astute leaders are required in today’s businesses. You must psychologically prepare yourself for this change. Your Executive MBA class will teach you how to deal with the added strain of an executive job, but mental strength is something you must have before enrolling in the programme.
One could argue that there are a thousand boxes to check before taking such a risky step, and that you’ll never be able to do so. That is not the case, in our opinion. In the end, it all comes down to ambition and commitment. However, if you’re reading this, you most likely already have it.
Britts Imperial University College
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