The stats and trends show that, in Edmonton in classrooms or online, getting an MBA is more popular than ever.
Despite the familiar disclaimer that work “is just business, not personal,” the blunt reality is that the big decision to get an MBA is very personal and private.
Of the more than 3,600 MBA graduates surveyed by the Graduate Management Admissions Council, the respected and global association of leading graduate business schools, 70 per cent reported their MBA experience helped them achieve personal and financial goals and about two-thirds reported advancement of at least one job level.
“In the past five years or so, our MBA enrollment is up by as much as 60 per cent,” says Michael Maier, associate dean, master’s programs and executive education at Edmonton’s University of Alberta (UAlberta.) “For various reasons, especially COVID causing many business disruptions and much career changing, statistically our largest MBA enrollment was in 2021. It is tough to generalize or rely on specifics but the surging interest in our MBA program continues to reflect people wanting to expand their opportunities or making a possible career shift and just opting for personal development by getting an MBA.”
At Athabasca University (AU), renowned as Canada’s open and fully online university, Dr. Lisa Watson, dean of the faculty of business points out that, “We are approaching the 30th year offering an online MBA. As far as I know, AU was the first program of its kind in the world.
“In management, an MBA is more important than ever. It can be instrumental in helping students acquire or boost a broad range of business skills so they can achieve and advance in chosen career opportunities. The continued popularity of our courses underscores that there is much value in an MBA. It is a vital credential, helping to secure first management roles and enhance the chances of moving up the ranks, from middle to senior management positions, depending on the type of program.”
Maier points out that both full-time and part-time MBAs are much in demand, offering various career tracks and specializations.
“Strategy and consulting are very popular. So are operations and business analytics, particularly for Edmonton opportunities in the public sector and health care management, as well as innovation and entrepreneurship areas like clean energy, AI, and life sciences.”
In addition to the traditional business curriculums, he mentions that a key aspect about an MBA program is crucial personal interactions.
“The chance to in-person interact with other students and the many networking opportunities, which are components of the MBA programs, are important. As is valuable networking with guest speakers, experts on site visits and in-person MBA association events.”
Watson admits the only drawback to AU’s popular and exciting online MBA courses is the limitation about in-person networking.
“AU’s online MBA is an asynchronous paced program, aimed at those who already have significant management experience. Yes, while it limits the face-to-face interaction, the camaraderie in the program remains strong, designed around their collective professional experience.
“The key online format is the gift of time. Both to do one’s schoolwork when convenient, but also to engage in classroom discussion that is far more deliberate and insightful than the in-the-moment of a live classroom. Ultimately the online program learning is richer as a result.”
In UAlberta classrooms or with AU online courses, the amount of time that it takes to complete an MBA program varies, based on the type of program or the specializations selected for the degree.
With an accelerated MBA or a full-time program, the MBA can be completed in as little as two years. An online MBA allows the student to do the coursework at their own pace, usually with the ability to complete the MBA within one to three years.
There is a consensus. Companies, recruiters and most recent grads agree that there is solid ROI about an MBA. Business schools, C-suites and academia inevitably focus on the business potential and professional payoff of having an MBA.
For employers, hiring MBAs means bringing in well-rounded people who are generally ambitious, analytical, data-driven and people-focused. The general management background gives MBAs a strong foundation for building and leading within organizations.
For the grad, an MBA listed on a resume helps the person stand out and shows the employer that, in addition to other relevant attributes, the MBA grad has knowledge, leadership skills and an interest in making an impact. Adding a specialty into the mix – like finance, business analytics or entrepreneurship – is also a signal to the potential employer that the MBA grad is job ready and can hit the ground running.
Two Edmonton grads are testimonials about the rewarding career successes, and some personal challenges, about getting an MBA.
Eve Noga, MBA, is the senior manager of creative services with Corus Entertainment in Edmonton.
“I believe in lifelong learning and enjoy the challenge and expectation that comes with the classroom/classmate environment. I also wanted career options and the MBA will help me expand professionally. Also, some vanity. I wanted to prove that I could do it – not just to myself but to others. The sense of accomplishment is inspiring.
“Going back into the classroom was challenging. I am a mature student – more mature than most of my peers in the program – and I have been away from the school environment for longer. I also work full-time and have an active personal life. It was a big adjustment but in short bursts. No matter how difficult or challenging I found the pace, I was not going to give up. I just kept pushing forward, focusing on the end. And what a sweet ending it was!
“The most positive aspect was meeting people. I wanted to meet people of diverse backgrounds and ages and learn from them. I was able to immediately use concepts I was taking from the courses and apply them in a professional setting.”
Al Berjanskii, MBA, director of product operations with Dotdash Meredith, says, “After some time in my career, a desire for further professional challenges emerged. Business as an area of study has always intrigued me and the MBA seemed like a natural step to help me improve my understanding and expertise.
“Personally, I hoped the program would allow me to foster new connections and learn together with and from similarly motivated and driven individuals. Professionally, my objective was less focused on attaining a particular role but rather on becoming well-equipped to deal with a wide variety of challenges that a business may encounter.
“The decision to return to the classroom led to feelings of nervous excitement. I continued working throughout my MBA, so balancing the academic program alongside a full-time job was something I needed to carefully consider. It was a big adjustment. My work/life balance became a work/school/life balance. My evenings, which were usually reserved for hobbies and relaxation, became dedicated to studying.”
“But it was rewarding to be in a classroom with highly motivated and like-minded peers. One of the standout aspects was the ability to learn and collaborate with such a diverse group of backgrounds.”
