By Mariya Toneva, Access MBA
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The prestigious Access MBA Tour will once again take place in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, February 20th and in São Paulo on Saturday, February 22nd 2013. With a groundbreaking One-to-One event concept, Access MBA helps business professionals tap into the global leadership pool by matching them with international business school programs.
Recently conducting a survey about the role of business schools in teaching market sustainability and business practices, Access MBA reports that MBA candidates and graduates strongly believe that business schools have a great role to play in the financial marketplace.
Two thousand prospective, current and former MBA students from 57 countries participated in the Access MBA survey which demonstrates global popular opinion on the role of MBA programs in today’s business reality.
The results demonstrate an overwhelming need for business schools to address market sustainability and develop ethical management practices, with 62 percent of survey participants declaring that schools have “significant responsibility” in response to the economic crisis.
Sixty-Two Percent of Prospective MBA Students Believe That Business Schools Have Significant Responsibility in Regards to the Economic Crisis.
In order to strengthen MBA programs’ connection with the sustainable business and management practices, 64 percent of participants declared that schools should actively encourage field immersion, or the opportunity for students to apply classroom teaching to hands-on business management.
The Hands-on Approach – Transferring Classroom Knowledge into the Business Reality.
In an Access MBA roundtable discussion held in New York, Shawn O’Connor, Founder and President of Status Prep, stated that certain MBA programs provide students “the opportunity to apply what they learned in class to working with industries abroad.”
In addition, 53 percent of survey respondents think that MBA programs are responsible for researching and developing sustainable business practices, and 35 percent say that schools should concentrate their curriculum on business ethics.
“Business ethics do not need to be a separate course, but should be incorporated into the curriculum,” says IESE’s Jessica Smith.
The survey shows that prospective MBA students may see the need for more ethics instruction in the classroom, but current MBA students and MBA graduates place less emphasis on the subject – a sign that completed coursework does not always transition into profitable business.
“Schools can adapt their curriculum to weave career management pre-planning and services to a much greater degree”, says career consultant Roy Cohen, “so that the MBA generates an income stream” rather than simply helping to secure a job.
In reaction to the economic recession, O’Connor states that business schools’ “greatest trend is towards practical teaching methods or field-based learning.” Regarding the need for field immersion, Cohen adds, “with executives-in-residence and hands-on consulting, schools are establishing consulting organizations so that students get real-life experience and can transition more effectively”.
Keeping up with the Needs of Today’s Turbulent Global Business Arena.
Clearly MBA programs have a responsibility in training the world’s future business leaders and teaching sustainable management practices. By changing their curricula, international business schools can affect the workplace and alter global markets.
Eighty percent of current MBA students and recent MBA graduates say that their business school adequately addresses the causes and repercussions of the economic recession. In response to this data, O’Connor aptly states that we can learn from the recession, but “the most valuable lesson is anticipating what’s coming next” and we must take measures to ensure stable business and financial success.
As for MBA degree-holders, they are satisfied with the professional tools provided by their business school experience. An overwhelming 95 percent said that thanks to their MBA program, they are now ready to better respond to future economic recessions and improve business management practices.
Events Practical Information:
Rio de Janeiro
Thursday, February 20, 2014
4:30 PM to 9:30 PM
JW Marriott – Copacabana
São Paulo
Saturday, February 22, 2014
9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Tivoli São Paulo – Mofarreij
Places for the One-to-One meetings are limited, so register for free today on www.accessmba.com
STUDYING IN BRAZIL OR ABROAD?
The globalization of the past ten years has opened the MBA market to European as well as U.S. business schools. This is largely due to the diversity of the student body of European schools. As much as 95 percent of foreign students make up the MBA student population at schools like IE Business School, which has one of the top ten worldwide MBA programs according to the Financial Times.
Cultural diversity is not only a sign of quality education; it also creates wider networking opportunities after degree completion. Another major advantage to international programs is the possibility of finding jobs in different countries.
MBA study can be done in several locations, as is the case of Hult Business School which, in addition to the U.S., has opened campuses in London, Dubai Shanghai and locally in São Paulo. Thanks to these global MBA programs, you can benefit from an enriching experience on another continent and have a greater chance of finding the job of your dreams and quickly reimbursing your studies.
Manchester Business School for example offers students a practical program that introduces them to the countries’ job market via internships and partnerships with local businesses which is an advantage if your plan is to migrate to the UK.
A school like HEC in France on the other hand offers a top ranked global MBA to its students, they are currently ranked number one in Europe, and helps them build entrepreneurial skills along with connections to global business through recruitment opportunities with companies like Amazon, L’Oreal, McKinsey, AT Kearney and BNP Paribas.
Finally if you are considering a full time investment in your life, think about location. Where would you like to live for a year or two? The SDA Bocconi MBA in Milan could be a great option for Brazilian students. The quality of life and cost of living of a city like Milan, a major capital of industry, finance, arts, media and, above all, fashion. The school offers a world ranked program along with this strategic location, an unparalleled faculty, global outlook, and diverse, powerful networks.
* This is a paid Advertorial by Access MBA.