Think like an employer

Although there are many reasons for picking a specific MBA programme, its impact on your long-term career prospects is crucial, writes Dr Ronald K Chung

Assessing a programme's career prospects is tough. First, Lady Luck plays an important role in landing your dream job. Secondly, so many programmes exist that not only you but also employers are confused. Thirdly, who knows what potential employers have in mind? However, waiting unprepared for luck to happen is definitely a losing proposition.

How can you assess a programme's career prospects? Put on an employer's hat. In all likelihood, employers looking at potential employees will use the criteria we covered in prior issues. Try these out from a potential employer's perspective:

1. As an employer, how would you rank candidates with respect to their academic background? Use 1 to 4 - 4 being the most important.
a. What does s/he know?
b. Which school did s/he attend?
c. Who did s/he learn from?
d. Who does s/he know?

2. As an employer, how would you choose candidates with respect to their academic background? (One answer only.)
a. What does s/he know (read... the programme's content and design)
b. Which school did s/he attend (read... the school's reputation)
c. Who did s/he learn from (read... the faculty's expertise)
d. Who does s/he know (read... the student and alumni body)
e. All of the above.

I'd give a 4 to answer b. in Question 1 and choose a candidate based on b. in Question 2. Remember, employers treasure their time more than yours. If they can find a quick way to make decisions, such as on your employment status, they will. A school's reputation is the easiest option. What you know and who you know are niceties for tiebreaks. These can help you, but it is you who helps the company. In general, you are responsible for these niceties and you are assumed to have all these before and while you attend school.

So, the school is what matters from an employer's perspective. However, don't forget the other criteria, since they can really help you perform your work and stay put once you get in. After all, the assumption is that a good school produces able people.

Now that you know how employers think, look at this case:
- Jane is deliberating between the joint MBA programme offered by Northwestern University, Chicago and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Northwestern-HKUST) and the AGSM MBA. How should she choose?

If you think "I need further info", congratulations! Otherwise, please re-read articles in this series on matching your background to future career needs.

Here's the real thing:
- Jane is an accountant at a manufacturer's. She earned her bachelor's degree from a British university and qualified as a chartered accountant in England. She wants to switch careers and aspires to join a regional bank.

Northwestern-HKUST is a great programme. In fact, Northwestern is the consistent world number one in marketing. Meanwhile, AGSM is very well-respected in the region. Personally, AGSM makes a bit more sense for an accountant pursuing a career in banking, unless you argue that everyone needs marketing - not an assumption I'm comfortable with.

So, before picking the appropriate school to advance your career, take another look.

Remember... Be prepared for tomorrow. Until next time, work hard, play hard.

Acknowledgement Dr Ronald K Chung is academic development director of the ET Business College, a member of the Hong Kong Economic Times Group. He has worked for a number of private companies and universities in the United States, as well as Hong Kong's Consumer Council. To contact Dr Chung, please write to DrChung@etbc.com.hk.

Taken from Career Times 2003/10/31