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 2009, students’ previous work experience appeared to vary considerably across the New Zealand programs. The range of years of work experience reported was from one year (Southern Cross MBA) to a maximum of 36 years (Waikato MBA). The 2009 entering students averaged from 6 years work experience (Otago MBA) to 19 years (Waikato MBA) with an overall average of about 13 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 and Massey) to a maximum of 29 years (Massey MBA). The Waikato MBA candidates had the highest average years (13) of management experience
Age. The average age of last year’s entering MBA students was approximately 34 years with a range of 22 to 59 years. The Otago MBA reported the youngest student (22) and the Southern Cross MBA reported the oldest (59). The Waikato and Southern Cross MBA reported the highest average age (40).
Gender. In 2009, the percentage of women within entering MBA classes was approximately 31%. Southern Cross University reported the largest percentage of women (38%) while the Otago MBA reported the smallest percentage (25%).
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 the 2009 entering students, approximately 61% held an undergraduate degree as their highest qualification, 14% held university diplomas, while an additional 8% had completed masters and PhD degrees. Seven percent of the entering students had not completed any tertiary study before enrolling in the MBA degree.