Millenials, M.B.A's, & Management

Alternatives to the M.B.A. Becoming More Popular

By Diana Middleton
Published: December 15, 2009

In this article, Diana Middleton highlights the struggles facing millenials as they try to find the perfect pathway to career success. One asks - Should I go after the prestigious MBA degree or venture down another yellow brick road? Interestingly, with the influx of MBA students worldwide, there is a segment of students investigating specialized masters degrees to get ahead in their fields (i.e. finance, international management, etc.)

Most MBA programs require at least 3-5 years of business experience and with alternative MBAs, students (such as myself) can gain a more focused, accelerated approach to their field of choice by choosing the latter without having to have the required experience. In a world where every university (online and offline) is offering their own MBA, the market is becoming oversaturated and the degree is beginning to lose its luster (unless you graduated from a top 20 business program and can prove your worth).

What was once a unique bragging right, has become "Oh, you have an MBA too?" asked the 42 year old CEO to the 21 year old who was fresh out of business school. Honestly, it's a good thing young students are pursuing other masters programs to bring some fresh approaches and ideas to their fields having studied their art down to a T, verses learning an assortment of MBA practices that may not be entirely beneficial to their field. On the flip side, if one is too specialized they may have difficulty finding a job that caters to their specialization... or their worse night mare come true and they realize they SHOULD have went for that MBA in their first job interview.

Either way, I commend these students for pursuing their goals and rebuking the MBA. The MBA isn't for everyone and being unique in pedigree is a plus. You stand out. You provide a company increased value through specialized knowledge. You're not "just another MBA grad." You've demonstrated passion, perserverance, and faith by going a different route and trusting in your program. (And I hope it's worth it!)

As a recent graduate, I knew I wanted to work in Leadership/Management Development, but was not keen on going after the MBA (like most of my peers), I decided to aim for a Masters of Science in Organizational Development/Leadership; a theoretical approach but a beneficial one nontheless. So all non-MBA's stand up and unite in uniqueness, and stand tall! Relish in the moment and show the world what you'e truly made off!

The Leadership Debate: Who Leads Better - Men or Women?

Corner Office Carol Smith
No Doubts: Women Are Better Managers
Published: July 26, 2009 Women Are Better Managers?

Ah, the age old debate about who makes the better leader - men or women. In my own experience, each sex has its own strengthens and weaknesses; but it is unfair to declare one sex more capable of leading than the other. Ultimately, it depends on the leading style and personality of the manager versus whether or not the boss is male of female. I've encountered female bosses who were gossipy, insecure and unaware of how to utilize their position as a positive force in management.

At the same time, I have witnessed male bosses play favorites, become overtly emotional, or fail to lead at all. These traits are not immune to just one sex. In the article, Carol Smith mentioned "Men also, they’re definitely better on the “whatever” side. Things tend to roll off their back. We women take things very personally."

In certain cases, this may be true, but not always. Yes, women may be emotional, but there are quite a few of us who do not wear our emotions on our sleeve and embrace the mantra "it's not personal - it's just business." (Again, we are not all running to the bathroom teary-eyed after a less than stellar performance review...but I digress.) I do, however; give Ms. Smith kudos for breaking down the superiority wall and wanting to connect with her subordinates by sitting in the middle of the board room table and building honest relationship with clients and staff through meals. (You learn a lot through a meal.)

If anything, men and women can become great leaders by adopting great communication skills, exercising good judgement, integrity, time-management, and organization with a definite vision and strategic plan for producing results. Let's leave the emotions and power/ego trips at home and continue to learn on a personal and professional level together - both men AND women. The best results are produced when we strive to work collectively.

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