Who
pursues the MBA degree in New Zealand?
Candidates for the MBA degree come from many different backgrounds. To
describe them, information has been included from my experience in New
Zealand and the United States. The information is placed in six categories:
work experience, management experience, age, gender, education and cultural
background.
Work experience. While an MBA Director, I met individuals who, prior to
enrolling in the MBA, had been working as accountants, architects, bankers,
builders, consultants, counsellors, directors, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs,
farmers, financial managers, graphic designers, government officials, horticulturists,
human resource managers, information systems specialists, investment advisers,
journalists, kiwi fruit growers, librarians, midwives, marketing managers,
naval officers, occupational therapists, owners of small businesses, pilots,
public relations professionals, quality control experts, registered nurses,
restaurateurs, sales people, solicitors, teachers, technical advisers,
undercover police, veterinarians, wine makers, yachtsmen and a Zen Buddhist.
So, previous work experience can be from almost any field or endeavour!
In 2007, students’ previous work experience appeared to vary considerably across the New Zealand programs. The range of years of work experience reported was from 1 year (Otago MBA) to a maximum of 37 years (Massey MBA). The 2007 entering students averaged from 3 years work experience (AIS St Helens MBA) to 23 years (Massey MBA) with an overall average of about 11 years.
Management experience. Some candidates for the New Zealand MBA programs will already have had management experience. The range of previous management experience reported for entering students was from ‘none’ (AUT, Massey, Otago,Victoria ) to a maximum of 28 years (Massey). The Henley MBA and Massey MBA shared in having the highest average years (7) of management experience.
Age. The average age of last year’s entering MBA students in New Zealand was approximately 33 years with a range of 22 to 56 years. The Auckland MBA reported the youngest student (22) and the AUT MBA reported the oldest (56). The Victoria MBA reported the highest average age of 37 years.
Gender. In 2007, the percentage of women within entering MBA classes in New Zealand was approximately 32%. In 2007, AIS reported the largest percentage of women (42%) while the Auckland MBA reported the smallest percentage (18%).
Education. Most MBA participants will hold an undergraduate degree or diploma
but the area of previous study varies widely. Arts, engineering, law, medicine,
science, and even commerce graduates may pursue the MBA degree.
Of 2007’s entering students approximately 60% held an undergraduate degree as their highest degree, 14% held diplomas, while an additional 11% had completed masters and PhD degrees.Six percent of the entering students had not completed any tertiary study before enrolling in the MBA degree.