Hello Everyone,
I am currently a Senior Corp Dev Analyst for a European-based information services/software company located in Chicago. I have gotten some good international deal exposure (from Latin America to Asia Pac) and love the team I work with. I wouldn't mind coming back to this role post-mba which is why I'm considering Booth/Kellogg part-time and 1 year programs at LBS, Kellogg and HKUST.
However, I am interested in transitioning into a Corp Dev role in Asia after getting my MBA and a few more years of experience. I'm not technically a career switcher but a location switcher - my question is which program will put me in better position?
1) The great thing about part time is I will gain more experience and not lose my salary. but would the part time aspect at Booth/Kellogg put me at a disadvantage to transition into Asia in the Future?
2) The great thing about the 1 year programs - I would still make the great connections with 2 Yr students but get back into the workforce sooner. But I do want to come back to the US first after MBA before I transition to Asia. Would I be at a disadvantage if I went to LBS or HKUST and wanted to move to another Corp Dev role in the US right after my MBA.
I appreciate any thoughts and advice.
Best,
Have you applied to INSEAD in Singapore...?
Angus I went to to an INSEAD info session in Chicago and the student panel didn't seem to happy with their experience. But these students did were americans who came back to the US and had a hard time because recruiters in the US didn't know INSEAD.
Perhaps I should speak with people who are working in Asia for a different perspective. Thanks for the thought.
LBS would probably be strongest for Asia? Although I'd def say take a look at INSEAD since they are/can be a bit more oriented in that way
what about IMD? arent they the best corp dev/strat b school in europe?
Shorttheworld - thanks for the insight. I'll definitely take another look at INSEAD but how does their brand compare to LBS or HKUST in Asia?
I have never looked into IMD, but I'll do some more research on them. Is there brand comparable to LBS?
IBnomics -
You may have already taken a look at these programs' employment reports, but if you haven't yet, they warrant a long and hard look to help answer your questions. Page 8 of the LBS report has some good intel about the locations where graduates end up, although it's not so specific as to ID functional roles to the locations.
http://www.london.edu/assets/documents/programmes/MBA_Employment_Report…
For HKUST, I find their employment reports are a bit less user-friendly, but the overwhelming majority of their graduates stay in Asia post-graduation - like almost 90% - so that doesn't sound ideal for you given your short-term plans to work in the US post-MBA.
https://career.ust.hk/cgi-bin/web/cctr_survey.php?action=show_pg&id=201…
Booth and Kellogg have the international brand recognition that will help you make the shift a few years after you complete your studies, but your personal connections to their respective alumni networks likely won't be as strong if you pursued your studies PT. Kellogg's one-year program may be a better bet given your circumstances.
Many schools have geographically-focused student organizations, so another way for you to research your options is to contact students in those clubs to see if you can identify others who have taken your intended path.
Regards, Jon
Hi John - thank you for the insights.
I did get a chance to look at the employment reports and noticed the low US employment post MBA at both programs. However, I thought I could still land a Corp Dev role in the US since I was not looking to change my industry or function with the LBS or HKUST brand.
Also, since LBS and HKUST very well in Asia, I could transition easier with them on my resume.
Thanks for your thoughts on Booth/Kellogg. I really like Kelloggs 1 Year program but was uncertain if it had a large of enough international brand recognition. Thanks for the perspective.
Great idea, I have never thought of reaching out to student organizations.
Thanks again for all your insights.
If you want to work in US after MBA for at least couple of years, US MBA is no brainer choice. General rule of thumb is, don't think about second step if you haven't sorted out first step. The most important thing for you is to find a good role in a good company after MBA, instead of thinking about school brand name in region where your future plan is.
Let's assume INSEAD/LBS have much better reputation in Asia (I seriously doubt) but you may only get a normal corp dev job in US after graduation. If you get MBA from booth/kellogg, you may land a corp dev role in F50 or google/fb. In this case Booth/Kellogg is still the better choice because your working experience on resume is much more important than your school brand at that time.
Diablo2man,
I appreicate the advice. You make a great point, I never looked at it from that view.
So you think I could land a top tier Corp Dev gig part-time at booth/kellogg or does it have to be full-time?
I can't answer that because I have no knowledge in corp dev. But i'm pretty sure full-time is better than part-time in general
Okay. Thanks again.
Any other thoughts?
Unless you have a great grasp of Mandarin, it would be very difficult to land a corporate role (like corp dev) in Asia. Competition there is just as tough as the US, and probably moreso if you're not Asian.
PT vs. FT, it depends on what you want to do with your current role. Do you see yourself rising in the same group? Or do you really have your eyes set on another industry/company? FT will give you a better chance of switching companies, as from what I've heard schools are particularly strict on the type of OCR access PT students have.
Electriclighto thanks for the comment. I'm definitely no fluent in Mandarin. However, I did take 2 years of Mandarin during college so I have solid understanding. Do you think also applies to Hong Kong and Singapore? I am also considering SG since they primarily speak English and focus on South East Asia (including Philippines which I speak the Tagalog fluently).
My current company does not have someone dedicated in Mainland, HK or SG. So if some how I could transition into a manager in Asia with my firm that would be ideal.
Also, the salary bump discrepancy (if any) between PT and FT will be something I would have to consider.
Last thing, lets say I did a PT program and return to my same group then a couple years decide to switch to another corp dev role. Will it matter if I have a PT MBA?
Thanks again,
My guess is that it will be an uphill route to do corp dev in HK, with your background. I don't want to discourage you, but almost everyone I know working in Asia are from there and have returned back after bschool. Asia, like America, Europe, etc. tend to hire natives. I am not too sure about Singapore.
If you do a PT and stay with your group for a few more years, I don't think it will matter if you have PT. People tend to care less about education the older you get.
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