Here's how you can navigate the key considerations for pursuing an MBA in strategy.

Education is great when you are trying to figure out what you want to do with your life or if it's required by your organization to get to the next level you want to get! Apart from that Strategy is mostly creating a series of steps that gradually drive your expected results to reality. And that can be muscle memory for some and critical thinking for others. However, it is a skill that needs practice and precision thinking, which can be learnt over time.

Data Collection: Gather information on the alumni's current placements. Career Paths: Explore the diverse career paths pursued by the alumni. Industry Distribution: Analyze whether the alumni are concentrated in specific industries or spread across various sectors. Brand Presence: Determine if alumni hold key positions in selected top brands, indicating brand acceptance within the alumni network.

Never forget the importance of real life experience. MBA give good signals but the power of hands on experience is invaluable

Setting your career goals is important but you don’t necessarily need to know exactly what you want to do to pursue an MBA. It can be a placeholder as there are many opportunities that come about during and after an MBA program. Part of the goal for pursuing an MBA should be enhancing your knowledge base about the functions of business, giving yourself a competitive advantage in the workplace, establishing a network of like-minded successful people and selecting a program that fits with your interests and preferred ways of learning.

Answer the following to help with program fit: Do you prefer to learn in person or virtually? Do you value networking / relationship building? What is the alumni culture like of the institutions you are evaluating? What environment do you want to be in? Does reputation matter to you? Financially, what types of programs are affordable / out of reach? If you are already working, can you get your organization to sponsor fully or partially and do they have ties to specific universities?

For a person like me setting foot in a new country with no experience from that country, a recognized MBA gave me the necessary push to start my career, so it depends on what you want out of it, and if the opportunity cost is worth it and your outcome can give you the ROI you are expecting!

While MBA programs are following the trend of being outrageously expensive, unlike most undergraduate degrees, they are designed to help you achieve success in your career. There are thousands of programs out there, so similar to looking for housing, setting a budget is a good start. From there, do some research and explore other ways of receiving financing: student loans, financial aid, support from family, grants, scholarships, etc. Find a few alumni from the programs your are evaluating and ask them about their perceived value and how it helped them in their careers. Most go the student loan route. Student Loans are typically 10 years, beginning post-grad and there is both public and private financing. Private may allow better rates.

The biggest question to answer is if you want to work while pursuing an MBA or not. Once determined, you’ve narrowed down the types of programs to evaluate. An MBA takes time, and a lot of it. Setting your environment up for success is critical to getting through it. If working, ensure your manager/team are understanding of the time commitments. Share important deadlines like exams, class schedules, and sort out time blocks for your weeks. Gain support from your family/partner as most of your free time will be spent studying/learning for the duration of the program. If not working, things are a bit simpler, a full time program can be time-intensive. Figure out what’s right for you to have an enjoyable experience.

Time commitment is a huge part of strategy. Strategies that change cities and people take time, and having the time commitment to obtain the credibility to get to where you want to get can be a step of a strategy that you are executing to reach a bigger goal! If you are not ready to put in 100% of the work up front and follow the next steps to execute your strategy while tweaking and managing setbacks, it's not for you! MBA will never be a waste of time if you can reach the goal that you want to achieve with it.

While a remote or on-campus MBA might be a good manner to enhance your network, it is important to keep in mind that you are responsible for using it in your favor. Being in touch with colleagues and professors, building relations, and assisting others throughout the course can be the first steps to potentialise your network.

1.Why?Know clearly why you want to do an MBA.Personally,post non stop work for 19 yrs,I felt the need for formal education in Strategy.I was keen to unlearn/relearn my learnings & validate thought-process,which primarily has come from field experiences thus far.The course I completed,helped me achieve just that.I don’t feel the need for a full time MBA,yet. 2. Virtual or Full-time or Part-time etc.?I picked up a Harvard online Strategy course (post evaluating curriculum of few others).The HBSO course came closest to my need-Going back to Basics.Plan is to specialise further via a MBA/longer course in future. 3.ROI:Please think through this especially if you are choosing to do full-time. MBA+Experience is a good blend. Decide wisely.

Before pursuing an MBA, think about whether you want to start in the same industry or field. This will help determine whether a full time, part time or executive mba is better for you. It’ll also help you determine how much networking with the right people are key for you.

When considering an MBA with a focus on strategy, it’s worth exploring all available options, including combined programs that can provide a comprehensive skill set. For instance, after completing my MBA in 2001, I discovered Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS, offers a joint MBA-CMA program. From my perspective, possessing a CMA professional designation alongside an MBA is an invaluable credential that can significantly accelerate career advancement as it provides both the strategic thinking and financial expertise needed for leadership positions in business.

When considering pursuing an MBA in strategy, it's important to first assess if it aligns with your career goals. Research programs that offer strong strategy courses and have good reputations. Look into factors like program length, location, and cost, and explore financial aid options. Talk to current students and alumni to get a sense of their experiences and career paths. Lastly, create a clear plan for how an MBA in strategy will benefit your career and help you achieve your goals. By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision about pursuing an MBA in strategy. #ahmedalaali11