g) Learning community (students/graduates)

How does the program describe their current students? How many years of work experience are required for admission? Are potential candidates required to prove academic ability (ie GMAT or grade point average)? How diverse or homogeneous are the classes? Is the process of working with others supported and enhanced by the provider?

Many MBA graduates say that the most important issue when considering an MBA is ‘who is in the classroom?’ Learning comes through challenge, dialogue and discussion.

More experienced participants are likely to ask ‘application-type’ questions. They tend to focus on linking their personal work experience with the theories provided. Less experienced participants are likely to ask ‘theoretical-type’ questions.

Working effectively in diverse groups and knowing how to create effective teams is often highly desired in the workplace. Some MBA programs include a ‘team’ experience for their students to assist in developing these skills. It is most beneficial if they also provide support for individuals in learning how to work effectively with others.

h) Impact on other commitments

How will pursuing the MBA impact your family commitments? How will you manage your commitments while pursuing an MBA? How important is your primary relationship? Is your family supportive of your decision to pursue the MBA? How will pursuing the MBA impact upon your work commitments? How will you manage these commitments while pursuing an MBA? What does your employer expect of you? Is your employer supportive of your decision to pursue the MBA?

Family

This issue can be very important to married students who have children and ageing parents. Before applying for an MBA program, it is helpful to thoughtfully consider your family commitments and the potential impact of pursuing an MBA.

Partners and children have been known to resent and complain bitterly of the time MBA students spend on their studies. There have been MBAs who have separated or divorced during and after completing their studies. Learning experiences are about personal growth, change and development, which can be very threatening to those closest to us.

If your relationships are important, then taking them into consideration when selecting an MBA is highly recommended. Talk with MBA graduates about how they have managed these issues. For those who are married, find an MBA partner who can share with your partner what he or she is likely to experience. As with most relationship issues, communication is vital.

Work

Employers and co-workers have been known to resent and complain of the time MBA students spend on their studies. There have been MBAs who have left their employers during and after they have been supported through their studies. These experiences have contributed to employers being non-supportive as they may feel that they are not receiving an equitable contribution from the employee.

Increasing our knowledge and expanding our understanding can be threatening to those who have employed us for tasks which we no longer find challenging. Finding and taking opportunities to contribute back into your employing organization has the potential of improving the organization’s performance as well as assisting you in applying your learning.

If your current work is important to you, then taking time to discuss your desire to pursue the MBA and the ways in which it will potentially impact your employer - both negatively and positively - is a wise step to take.

Having an employee enrolled in an MBA can provide a link between the organization and ‘expert’ knowledge. This link has the potential to provide innovative thinking to the organization and assist in the process of increased effectiveness. To capitalise on this link, employers need to be prepared to utilise the knowledge and allow the MBA student/employee to make a difference in the processes at work.

Having said all that, it is important to note that the majority of the part-time MBA students in New Zealand are attending classes in their personal time (at night and on Saturday and Sunday).

With so many part-time MBA students attending classes outside work hours, employers can be unaware of their employees’ participation in an MBA program. Therefore, there is little opportunity for the knowledge to be utilised in their current work environment. This is an unfortunate but predicable outcome for many employers.