Hi forum. I have a specific question regarding time management when it comes to studying an MBA and working in parallel. I live and work in Germany and have a part-time job, while also doing some freelance consulting work on the side. I'm looking into pursuing an MBA to increase my knowledge and be able to aspire to a better position and job (ideally a good enough full-time job in finance or consulting instead of my part time + freelance combination).

How realistic is it to study an MBA while balancing part-time and freelance work? Is it just a bad idea or can it be accomplished? Some programs offer flexible schedules, but I'd assume it's not the best look to have finished an MBA in a very long period of time (let me know if I'm wrong about this though).

Danke!

This is a rather generic question and I recommend having a chat with your favourite AI about it. Many more people do part-time than full-time MBAs, typically alongside full-time jobs and busy family lives. It should be easier to do that with a part-time work and freelance work [where often you can control the timing].

However, part-time MBAs are greatly inferior to full-time MBAs when it comes to making a major career transition.

Also, if you want to work in finance or consulting (depending on what business function to want to consult to) a masters in finance could be better. I think Frankfurt and EBS offer part-time MiF options.

It will partly depend on the pattern of your freelance consulting work and how much control you have of that. From my own experience, such work can be 'lumpy', i.e. quiet during some periods but very busy at other times. If those busy periods coincide with assignment deadlines then that could be a lot of stress if you're not organised.

I'm reminded of an MBA open day I attended where an alumni student gave their perspective of the course time demands. He said, every year, one student got divorced during the course. Sounded a bit extreme but the point is balancing working, family life and studying is demanding so be prepared.

My take: Students don't get divorced because of the EMBA. They take the EMBA because they are frustrated with their lack of growth, and it's the tension around the frustration and the growth that lead to the divorce.

Thank you all for your input. Considering that some programs are a lot more flexible than others when it comes to structuring the curriculum, I guess I can find ways to make everything fit nicely.

No need to worry about a divorce for me, as I'm not married. But yeah, regarding work, it is as aslamo claims, rather irregular and patchy, so it's hard to predict.