9.22.2005
WSJ: The Full-Time Advantage
The Wall Street Journal published it's suspect business school rankings this week. But what really impacted us wasn't so much where our school's full time program ranked, but this:
BUSINESS SCHOOLS: RECRUITERS' TOP PICKS
The Full-Time Advantage
Students increasingly are pursuing part-time, online and
executive M.B.A.s. But recruiters have their doubts.
By RONALD ALSOP
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
September 21, 2005; Page R4
Part-time, online and executive M.B.A. programs may be growing in popularity, but the traditional full-time degree still rules with corporate recruiters.
In the short run, students who take an alternative approach to a full-time, two-year program are reducing their opportunity costs by continuing to draw a paycheck. But they aren't necessarily getting the degree that will most impress corporate recruiters and jump-start their careers.
Given the choice, for example, Lori Massad generally will pick a full-time graduate over a parttimer when she recruits for the management-consulting firm Marakon Associates. She has an especially keen perspective on different types of M.B.A. programs, having taught both part-time and full-time students as an adjunct professor at New York University's Stern School of Business.
"What I really like about full-time students is that their experience mirrors the consulting experience," says Ms. Massad, chief talent officer and partner at Marakon.
"They have been brainstorming and solving problems in teams with people who have different skills and different styles, and they have developed a high level of focus and intensity." Despite the full-time advantage, however, some part-timers still can make the cut at Marakon.
Their redeeming attributes, Ms. Massad says, would be experience as a consultant or general manager working with teams, plus a broad network of business connections. "We like students who have a strong network of referrals and can help build the business," she says.
Glad my network can be of help. Guess I better bring my rollodex to the interview.
BUSINESS SCHOOLS: RECRUITERS' TOP PICKS
The Full-Time Advantage
Students increasingly are pursuing part-time, online and
executive M.B.A.s. But recruiters have their doubts.
By RONALD ALSOP
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
September 21, 2005; Page R4
Part-time, online and executive M.B.A. programs may be growing in popularity, but the traditional full-time degree still rules with corporate recruiters.
In the short run, students who take an alternative approach to a full-time, two-year program are reducing their opportunity costs by continuing to draw a paycheck. But they aren't necessarily getting the degree that will most impress corporate recruiters and jump-start their careers.
Given the choice, for example, Lori Massad generally will pick a full-time graduate over a parttimer when she recruits for the management-consulting firm Marakon Associates. She has an especially keen perspective on different types of M.B.A. programs, having taught both part-time and full-time students as an adjunct professor at New York University's Stern School of Business.
"What I really like about full-time students is that their experience mirrors the consulting experience," says Ms. Massad, chief talent officer and partner at Marakon.
"They have been brainstorming and solving problems in teams with people who have different skills and different styles, and they have developed a high level of focus and intensity." Despite the full-time advantage, however, some part-timers still can make the cut at Marakon.
Their redeeming attributes, Ms. Massad says, would be experience as a consultant or general manager working with teams, plus a broad network of business connections. "We like students who have a strong network of referrals and can help build the business," she says.
Glad my network can be of help. Guess I better bring my rollodex to the interview.
