The Executive Option to the Full Time MBA
Allison Babb `02
Issue date: 4/5/01 Section: People
- Page 1 of 1
Did you know that the same MBA earned by full-time students at the Johnson School’s could be earned through an Executive Option MBA offered in the New York metropolitan area? The Executive MBA (EMBA) program is designed to help high-potential management candidates get their MBAs without interrupting their career and family responsibilities.
The bulk of the program is taught in the New York metropolitan area, and while the location makes the program easily accessible, the admissions criteria are highly selective. To participate, all applicants must have substantial experience in management, a minimum eight years of full-time professional experience, and be sponsored by an employer. Cornell Business interviewed EMBA candidate Linda Giuliano, director of internal consulting at Alliance Capital Management L.P. in New York City, to get a better understanding of why she chose the EMBA and how it’s going for her.
Cornell Business: Why did you initially decide to pursue an MBA?
Linda Giuliano: I felt that not having an MBA would, at some point soon, limit my opportunities for advancement. It will soon become a handicap not to have an MBA.
CB: Why did you choose not to go the traditional route (i.e., the two-year program)?
LG: At this point in my career, it wasn't feasible to stop working and pursue a degree full time. In fact, I think going full time would have been a setback for my career, while pursuing it through the executive option provides an immediate return on my investment.
CB: What are the benefits of the EMBA?
LG: There are many obvious benefits: the ability to not stop my career, the ability to immediately apply what I learn and to bring real-life current issues to the table as examples of problems to solve. Networking and learning opportunities from classmates who all have a good amount of experience is equally as important as the academics. The fact that this program is on a Saturday/Sunday schedule, quite frankly, made it possible for me to pursue it.
CB: What are the drawbacks?
LG: The major drawback of the Johnson School's EMBA program is that we are so far from campus so we can't take advantage of some of the offerings (speakers, other special events) that are provided to the regular student body. While professors make themselves very available via email or phone, there is limited face time with them. Academically, since the pace is accelerated, we don't have the opportunity to go into depth on some concepts.
CB: What do EMBAs add to the Johnson School community?
LG: The EMBA students should be used as a resource for the other students. We have a lot of experience and contacts and could provide some mentoring and networking.
Editor’s note: Keep an eye out for the Johnson School EMBA advertisements that recently began running in the Wall Street Journal.
The bulk of the program is taught in the New York metropolitan area, and while the location makes the program easily accessible, the admissions criteria are highly selective. To participate, all applicants must have substantial experience in management, a minimum eight years of full-time professional experience, and be sponsored by an employer. Cornell Business interviewed EMBA candidate Linda Giuliano, director of internal consulting at Alliance Capital Management L.P. in New York City, to get a better understanding of why she chose the EMBA and how it’s going for her.
Cornell Business: Why did you initially decide to pursue an MBA?
Linda Giuliano: I felt that not having an MBA would, at some point soon, limit my opportunities for advancement. It will soon become a handicap not to have an MBA.
CB: Why did you choose not to go the traditional route (i.e., the two-year program)?
LG: At this point in my career, it wasn't feasible to stop working and pursue a degree full time. In fact, I think going full time would have been a setback for my career, while pursuing it through the executive option provides an immediate return on my investment.
CB: What are the benefits of the EMBA?
LG: There are many obvious benefits: the ability to not stop my career, the ability to immediately apply what I learn and to bring real-life current issues to the table as examples of problems to solve. Networking and learning opportunities from classmates who all have a good amount of experience is equally as important as the academics. The fact that this program is on a Saturday/Sunday schedule, quite frankly, made it possible for me to pursue it.
CB: What are the drawbacks?
LG: The major drawback of the Johnson School's EMBA program is that we are so far from campus so we can't take advantage of some of the offerings (speakers, other special events) that are provided to the regular student body. While professors make themselves very available via email or phone, there is limited face time with them. Academically, since the pace is accelerated, we don't have the opportunity to go into depth on some concepts.
CB: What do EMBAs add to the Johnson School community?
LG: The EMBA students should be used as a resource for the other students. We have a lot of experience and contacts and could provide some mentoring and networking.
Editor’s note: Keep an eye out for the Johnson School EMBA advertisements that recently began running in the Wall Street Journal.