When you decide to begin your MBA journey after a few years in the corporate world, you should know that you are taking a major leap. Everybody knows that there’s a huge difference between a junior level manager and a senior manager armed with a top class MBA Fellowship degree. Making the choice of applying for the programme is your first step. But there is a lot more you can do to kickstart your managerial career. The more proactive you are, the better chances of success. Build your career strategy with your eye on the next phase of your work life. In other words, you need to do your research and figure out where your future lies and what you can do to go in that direction. Start planning and get moving!
Discover Opportunities
You’ll have lots of opportunities to take advantage of, but sometimes you can’t pinpoint them. Sometimes, you’ll need to create those opportunities as well. Compare your current role to the managerial role that you aspire for. Have coffee or dinner with seniors you know in that role already. Get the inner story about what happens every day in that job. Compare your current role to that role and take notes. Admit your strengths and weaknesses to yourself. Ask yourself if you are running after it all just for a huge pay hike. Once you are done answering your own questions, you’ll know if you are ready to get on the managerial bandwagon. Then you can step up things at work and put in that extra effort. For example, you could be a manager with two people managing you, but why not offer to take up additional responsibility? You’ll learn on the job and earn respect in the field as well.
Plan Ahead
You’ve been here a few years. You’ve seen companies grow and business go up and down. A place that looks good right now, may not be that great once you get there post the MBA fellowship. Industries change rapidly and the ‘next big thing’ alters frequently. So, you should do chalk out a plan. Why do you want to spend a year in this programme? Maybe it is because you feel like you aren’t growing in your current job. Or it could be that you are ready to specialise in what you know you are best at. Whatever the reason, you need to be able to visualise your future when you are armed with this degree. Yes, you could be a manager already, but there are more of them at the top. How will you contribute to the industry in ways that you haven’t already?
Make Networking a Habit
You can’t be a manager if you stay stuck inside your office alone all day. You already know that a manager’s career involves using people skills on a daily basis. As you aim higher, communication is more important. If you are an introvert, push yourself. If you can talk to more people, they will know more about your accomplishments and interests. Networking is all about selling what you have. There is no point having a boss who loves you if nobody else in your industry knows about your good work. At this stage in your career, you’ve already built a reputation – so spread it. Use social media, events and get-togethers to let people know you’re ready to move forward.
The Nanyang MBA Fellow Programme
Once you get things rolling, you’ll need to work on your B-school applications. Some top MBA programmes require hardly any work experience from its candidates, while others require a significant amount. The Nanyang Fellows MBA Programme is one year long. The typical Fellow has about eight years of work experience and is in the middle of his career. The combined experience in the classroom brings great expertise to the table. The programme also includes a month’s residency at a top United States business school, which will help you understand how things and people function globally.
Once your application is submitted, don’t put your managerial career on hold. Keep moving. Keep talking. And keep learning!
