Hello,
I have 12 years of experience in IT and have achieved a point in my career where I want to get more academic knowledge of what I have been doing for the past decade. I am 32 and hold a BA from a university in Europe with some exchange study done in Germany.

I was thinking of an MBA program in the field of marketing. I need a program that I can enroll into without quitting my job.

I am thinking of an executive mba program as they tend to take less time and provide for doing it on the job.

What would you recommend in my situation? I do not want to leave Vancouver though.

Perhaps the best place to start is by having a look here (http://www.find-mba.com/canada/cities/v), and trying to focus your options. You'll have to look at individual schools' requirements when it comes to being eligible. Don't bank on an EMBA (for which you certainly have the work experience time, although you don't say at what level), taking any less time however - EMBAs tend to take between 18-24 months. If, however, a course is designed to take less time, that will probably mean a significant increase in work-load, which may affect your ability to combine it with a regular full-time job.

Perhaps the best place to start is by having a look here (http://www.find-mba.com/canada/cities/v), and trying to focus your options. You'll have to look at individual schools' requirements when it comes to being eligible. Don't bank on an EMBA (for which you certainly have the work experience time, although you don't say at what level), taking any less time however - EMBAs tend to take between 18-24 months. If, however, a course is designed to take less time, that will probably mean a significant increase in work-load, which may affect your ability to combine it with a regular full-time job.

Hmmm. Having had a quick look around, SFU was the only one I could come up with. I did find one possible option. Queen's University, although based in Ottawa, offers a well accredited 15-month EMBA at campuses in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and Vancouver. http://business.queensu.ca/mba_programs/emba_nat/index.php

Have you already ruled out online and distance learning?

Hey guys!
I understand that you are proposing online MBA If there is only one possibility in Vancouver, but I think that should be the last option.
An on campus programme offers many advantages, personal exchange with professors and fellow students, contact building/networking, and it is a lot easier to study in the framework of a class than at home, especially when you have to handle a full time job besides.

As for the time, the quickest you can do is a one-year full time MBA (mostly available in Europe) - all others are longer, also EMBA.
But your reasons for choosing EMBA or MBA should not be time first, but what you can get out of the programme, since both are conceived to best suit you taking by into account your professional experience. If your work experience is enough for an EMBA you will appreciate doing one.

She does have a point there.... why do an MBA, if you don't get to really network during that time?!

yes, i know, some of the programs do have some kind of chats, or of net meetings and some even require to meet from time to time. but in my opinion, nothing can build a good network better them going to classes with the same people over a long period of time, getting to know them better, and thus building trust - very important for assessing the option of future collaborations.

Andy