Reply to: Sports MBA?

[Tingles]

For info...

Just started an Exec MBA - distance learning with 3 days lectures every 5 weeks.

Cohort made up of :-

IT Service Management Consultant
Software developers x 2
Public sector housing managers x 2
City council manager
Recruitment Agency MD
Software development manager
Telecoms company MD
Capital fund manager
Financial controller
Production Director
Business dev manager
Sales Manager
Academic researcher
NHS procurement manager
Sales and Marketing consultant
Business analyst from public sector learning / skills
& Beauty therapist


About six to ten 'students' - I rate the rest have little experience of real 'big' business issues.

It was interesting during a company visit - the idea was to 'tour' and complete a SWOT analysis.

I seemed to be the only one asking relevent questions.

A few have language issues and is proving difficult to the other students and tutors during group work. Could be problematic as 50% of the marks is on group work!!!

Very early days but I did expect that an EMBA would be populated by more senior managers???


Good luck with your decision.


T

[Torrango]

MBAs

Having recently completed an MBA, I would suggest the following.

1. Don't pick your MBA based on price (at least not on the cheapest)
2. Talk to some alumni of the programme to see where they've ended up. If the school can't put you in touch with some alumni, find yourself a better school.
3. Try to aim for over 700 in the GMAT, but don't bother retaking if you clear 650 - that will be enough to get past the GMAT bar in pretty much any school
4. For a change of career, it's a good bet to to find an MBA that includes the option to do an internship since this will let you get some experience in the area you want to work in.

Any more questions let me know, though I can't help on the sports-specific front since I did a generalist one.

Also, have a think about whether the MBA is really the qualification you want. There may be other sports-focussed masters programmes at places which have a good rep in sports sciences.

[wantacontract]

I found the MBA as a whole really tough. Lots of long hours and not enough time to do everything that needs to be done. So you can think of the GMAT as just the start of that...

Whilst it is important that you do the course which is going to cover the right areas for your interests and future career in reality it's the contacts which you make which will be the most useful for future jobs. These will often come from other people doing the MBA with you but you should also consider what support the university has for finding jobs for its MBA graduates. Does it have contacts with the types of companies or industries which you would like to work within? Do they have well known professors who may have contacts within the industry? I suggest that you attend open days at the universities which you are interested in (if they have them) and ask lots of questions around the support they give you in finding future employment.

Many thanks for your response, very helpful and informative. As it turns out I contacted Birmingham University, and the sports MBA has been canned, as there wasn't enough demand.....

[lje]

then again, I've just had a go at the GMAT thing....and finding it quite tough!

I found the MBA as a whole really tough. Lots of long hours and not enough time to do everything that needs to be done. So you can think of the GMAT as just the start of that...

Whilst it is important that you do the course which is going to cover the right areas for your interests and future career in reality it's the contacts which you make which will be the most useful for future jobs. These will often come from other people doing the MBA with you but you should also consider what support the university has for finding jobs for its MBA graduates. Does it have contacts with the types of companies or industries which you would like to work within? Do they have well known professors who may have contacts within the industry? I suggest that you attend open days at the universities which you are interested in (if they have them) and ask lots of questions around the support they give you in finding future employment.

[wantacontract]

I've done an MBA but not a sports one. Not sure how helpful my comments will be given that. During this recession it has been particularly difficult for MBA graduates to change their career - when there are lots of people out there with experience an MBA qualification doesn't help much (at least in the UK). However, it looks like that course is aimed at people who want to organise large sporting events. Is that what you want to do? If so then your PM background is going the help you. I guess you'd need to look at what events are coming to the UK and whether you'd be able to get an interesting job in one at the right time.

Actually I am want a job where I can influence and promote sport within UK. Such as developing a junior tennis tour within UK, or engage with NBA in bringing a franchise to London, that sort of thing, rather then organising a sport event.

Maybe this one is better..

http://www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk/p...nagement.shtml

then again, I've just had a go at the GMAT thing....and finding it quite tough!

[Tingles]

Mine too - supported me last year when I took a year off to study for an MBA.

'They' don't come along too often - When they do, grab hold and never let go!!!

[lje]

If you have chosen your partner well, She (or He) will agree with your decision - mine does!

Mine too - supported me last year when I took a year off to study for an MBA.

[Tingles]

Try explaining that to the wife!

Nomadd

If you have chosen your partner well, She (or He) will agree with your decision - mine does!

[nomadd]

OR

Do what you are passionate about - Don't worry, the money will follow...

Try explaining that to the wife!

Nomadd

[Tingles]

OR

Do what you are passionate about - Don't worry, the money will follow...

[northernladuk]

Having a passion for doing something and doing it for a job don't go hand in hand. Doing it for work could quite possibly lead to disillusionment and actually ruining he recreational/fun side of it?

just cause you enjoy something doesn't always equate to it being a choice for a career. Think hard about it first.

[nomadd]

Hello All,

I am looking for some opinion on studying for a MBA as a change of career.

Well, I switched from an Automotive Engineering career to go into IT many years ago, so I don't think a switch of job is out of the question. Depends on your age, I guess, especially if you are looking at "sports" (even if you don't plan on an "active" job) type role. If you are in your 20s or 30s, I'd say go for it if it's where your heart is. Older than that, or with more financial/family commitments, I'd be a little more guarded.

I guess the one thing I'd do in your position is look long and hard at the real job prospects once you graduate - not the BS you'll get from a course administrator (i.e. salesperson.) I looked at doing a PHD and going into scientific research a couple of years ago, but having spoken to a few friends who had done just that, I realised I just couldn't live on the insanely small amounts of money we pay our scientists in this country.

Still, if you are young(ish), single and mortgage-free - go for it. What's the worst that can happen? You can always jump back into IT in a year or so's time if it doesn't work out.

Nomadd

[lje]

I've done an MBA but not a sports one. Not sure how helpful my comments will be given that. During this recession it has been particularly difficult for MBA graduates to change their career - when there are lots of people out there with experience an MBA qualification doesn't help much (at least in the UK). However, it looks like that course is aimed at people who want to organise large sporting events. Is that what you want to do? If so then your PM background is going the help you. I guess you'd need to look at what events are coming to the UK and whether you'd be able to get an interesting job in one at the right time.

[Diver]

well, there is the change of career aspect which I am asking about.....so maybe some enlightened one can help.....

Well I went into Marine civil engineering and offshore renewable energy if that's any help. you use a lot of energy doing PE

[wantacontract]

well, there is the change of career aspect which I am asking about.....so maybe some enlightened one can help.....