Hello,

Background: Chinese, Master degree from Swedish University, work in Automotive industry in Sweden for 8 years as powertrain engineer, including one year product owner.

The company will send me to China as expatriate for two years as Project leader. I am planning to study MBA during the period. Currently really interested in Global MBA of Manchester Business School due to its flexibility and reasonable tuition fee.

Puzzle in my mind: After those two years with MBA degree, what can I do in the automotive industry? Will it help for me to be promoted to management level in Europe?
Or is it possible for me to change to other industry, IT company or energy field?

Any comment is welcome!

Best Regards,
Bincheng

[Edited by Bincheng Jiang on Feb 14, 2019]

It's hard to give a certain answer. Look at the roles that MBAs, ideally from MBS, have in that industry. LinkedIn will show that any good MBa certainly helps promotion and helps to change industry.

It's hard to give a certain answer. Look at the roles that MBAs, ideally from MBS, have in that industry. LinkedIn will show that any good MBa certainly helps promotion and helps to change industry.

After diving in this forum for a while and help from Duncan, I have been considering Manchester global MBA and illinois iMBA recently. Today, I have the preference now, illinois iMBA.

MBS global MBA
Tuition fee: £29500
Format: Blended online and F2F workshop(pros)
Flexibility: 90% but need to travel the study centre
Alumni: Good in Asia not in Sweden (pros)
Requirement: MBS Admission test
GMAT/GRE: Can be waived

illinois iMBA
Tuition fee: $21000 (pros)
Format: 100% online
Flexibility: 100% (pros)
Alumni: Normal level
Requirement: TOEFL/IELTS for non-native English
GMAT/GRE: Can be waived

The biggest difference is the tuition fee, F2F workshop and alumni network. illinois wins regarding tuition fee by around 50% lower.
However, if the Capstone Projects from illinois iMBA is comparable to F2F workshop of Manchester global MBA, illinois iMBA will have even bigger advantage.
Lastly, neither MBS nor illinois MBA has the big alumni network in automotive industry. MBS alumni may be better in europe and asia in general.

[Edited by Bincheng Jiang on Feb 12, 2019]

I'm not entirely certain that an Online MBA is the best way to transition to Europe. There may be language barriers, and not being on the ground for a year - as you would be in a full-time MBA - puts you at a distinct disadvantage.

Does your firm operate in Europe? If so, maybe you can work that route in conjunction with the Online MBA.

I'm not entirely certain that an Online MBA is the best way to transition to Europe. There may be language barriers, and not being on the ground for a year - as you would be in a full-time MBA - puts you at a distinct disadvantage.

Does your firm operate in Europe? If so, maybe you can work that route in conjunction with the Online MBA.

If your plan is Europe focused. I doubt that the Illinois program will have any brand awareness over any EU/UK program. Given those two options in that format - i think you should think seriously about MBS.
I tried learning few free courses online on coursera, edx etc. I just couldn't learn, the subjects seemed out of pace, i get distracted very easily when education is delivered online. I find that we learn not only from course work but a lot from physical interaction be it fellow students or professors.

At this point for a complete career change in function or industry you could consider a full time MBA. Otherwise I would suggest to explore part time or evening MBA at a school like HKUST or CEIBS during your stay in China? Not sure which part of China will you be at or if those schools offer a program.

If your plan is Europe focused. I doubt that the Illinois program will have any brand awareness over any EU/UK program. Given those two options in that format - i think you should think seriously about MBS.
I tried learning few free courses online on coursera, edx etc. I just couldn't learn, the subjects seemed out of pace, i get distracted very easily when education is delivered online. I find that we learn not only from course work but a lot from physical interaction be it fellow students or professors.

At this point for a complete career change in function or industry you could consider a full time MBA. Otherwise I would suggest to explore part time or evening MBA at a school like HKUST or CEIBS during your stay in China? Not sure which part of China will you be at or if those schools offer a program.