Hi everyone.

Short message to share my experience about EMIB at ESCP:
- Great match if you search to have maximum flexibility while learning from the top professors of ESCP other programs the school offers.
- Great courses content and possibilities to connect with students (and in that case other experienced professionals) through lot of group works, business cases approach.
- Great opportunities to participate several times a year to On site courses on all the campus in ESCP has in Europe.

When you pay for EMIB ESCP, you are sure to get : Excellent educational level, Enter the great network of ESCP, Get the most out of the brand ESCP and international exposure.

Good luck on application and choosing your next step!

Lovely Professional University (LPU) has meticulously crafted its MBA program to foster the development of management and leadership skills, laying the foundation for promising careers. Widely recognized in both the global and Indian corporate spheres, LPU's MBA program stands out due to its rigorous academics, industry-focused curriculum, and esteemed academic faculty. The university's B-School holds accreditation from ACBSP (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs) and boasts a favourable ranking in the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework).
This program offers numerous highlights, including specialised professional certifications in fields such as Financial Consulting & FinTech in collaboration with KPMG, AI, ML & Analytics in partnership with 3AI, and Digital Marketing accredited by the Digital Marketing Institute of Ireland. Business simulations are seamlessly integrated into the curriculum, providing students with real-life business scenarios to hone their critical decision-making skills. LPU also prepares its students for national and international business competitions through well-structured, intense training sessions.
The program doesn't just stop at academics; it offers international exposure opportunities. Students may have the option to embark on a 4-week study tour to destinations like the USA or European countries, subject to university conditions. To keep students abreast of ever-evolving technological advancements, LPU has cultivated strong ties with top industry leaders. Studying specialised courses as part of the curriculum provides students with a valuable entry point into the industry.
LPU's MBA graduates have secured impressive salary packages, with the highest reaching ₹29.29 lakhs and an average of ₹5.5 lakhs. The program also emphasises hands-on experience, with over 500 students participating in live projects and the highest internship stipend reaching ₹65,000 per month. LPU has received accolades in various national and global rankings, including 25th in the year 2023

Not relevant to the topic. Lazy cutting and pasting.

All,
I'm a mid-career engineer looking to pivot into a more administrative, business, or managerial role. This could be in the same field (semiconductor manufacturing) or something different. I don't have a strong preference—it could be business development, program management, project officer, public or private sector, etc—but I'm slightly leaning towards program management since I've had a bit of experience managing a few EU-funded projects. So, maybe I have a better chance of transitioning there.
My issue is that I can't seem to find anything between Coursera courses that take a few weeks/months of part-time study and fully-fledged MBAs that are generally full-time or hybrid and tend to be very expensive.
I thought I had found the right program until I stumbled upon this thread...
If this isn't a good program, why is that the case? Accreditation or the fact that it's a private diploma? Quality of the teaching? Amount of information? Value for money?
Are there better options that cost less than €15,000, are taught in English, and are 100% online? Because if there are, I can't seem to find them. For every credential I've looked at over the past 3 months, the consensus seems to be "there are better alternatives out there"...

[Edited by lukmem on Oct 18, 2024]

Thank you for sharing your situation and career goals: here are my thoughts:

1. It's great that you're thinking strategically about your next career move at this stage. Starting with your end goals in mind is the right approach.

2. For a transition into program/project management roles, an MBA may be overkill. There are more targeted and cost-effective options that could serve you better.

3. The EMIB from ESCP has some potential issues:
- It's not a state-recognized degree in many countries, which could limit its value
- At €13,000, it's quite expensive for an online program without strong brand recognition
- The curriculum is fairly general and may not provide deep project management skills

4. Better alternatives to consider:

- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification - globally recognized, can be done online, costs under $1000
- Master's in Project Management from a reputable university - many online options under €15,000
- MSc in Management or similar from a top European business school - more rigorous than EMIB, better recognized

5. For your goals, I'd recommend:

- Get PMP certified first - this will give you credibility quickly
- Look into online MSc programs in Management or Project Management from schools like:
- University of Liverpool
- University of Roehampton
- Open University
- Network with program managers in industries you're interested in to learn more about the field

6. Only pursue an MBA to move into senior, general management roles. For now, more targeted credentials aligned to program management will likely serve you better.

The key is to find a program that gives you the specific skills you need, is strongly recognized in your target industry, and offers good value for money. Once you've had a chance to reflect on these suggestions, I'd be happy to discuss more specific program recommendations. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Thank you for the detailed feedback!

I too suspected an MBA might be overkill, which is why I’ve been exploring options like an MSc or Postgrad Diploma in Business Management. My main reason for considering these is the limited number of jobs in my industry within a 1-2 hour commute, especially in program/project management. I thought a "longer" qualification with a solid business foundation—covering areas like strategy, operations, and business development—could improve my chances of transitioning into additional roles (e.g. business development manager or project officer in a government or EU agency) or even switching industries. But perhaps the PMP is strong enough to qualify for program management roles in other sectors as well?

I’d be happy to transition to program management within my industry but need to be realistic about local job prospects. I may simply be in the wrong industry for my location (which, I know, begs the question why I settled here in the first place).

Another option I was considering is this: https://online.essex.ac.uk/courses/pg-dip-business-management/#overview though I've read so many bad reviews about so many degrees that I find it hard to become invested in anything at this point.
I’ll also look into the alternatives you mentioned and probably start with the PMP for now.

[Edited by lukmem on Oct 18, 2024]

Before you start spending tens of thousands on a degree that isn't tightly aligned to a specific career goals, I suggest you take the time to work on your career goals. a book like What Color Is My Parachute is a great start.

Where are you based? Look for a local careers service that can give you some initial suggestions. As an expat, things like coaching, language skills, networking, accent reduction and personal branding can be a far better investment.

Thank you for the feedback, Duncan!

I understand your point about soul searching first but time is also of the essence here, which I might have forgotten to mention. I'll be the first to admit that I should have done this 10, perhaps even 20 years ago.

I know it might seem like I’m grasping at straws, but this is a result of both internal aspirations and external constraints. After all, it’s not as if I’m torn between becoming an MD, a ballet dancer, or a stock analyst.

I suspect that no qualification — not even a full MBA from one of the top business schools in the world — will fully substitute for years of experience, nor will it open every door. But I’m just trying to figure out the next best option.

By the way, I’m based in the southwest of Ireland.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound flippant, and I’m sure you didn’t either.

The key is to start to develop a hypothesis about your long-term career goals and then evaluate how different educational paths can support those goals. That doesn't have to take a long time: Ask Claude or ChatGPT to act as a career specialist for people like you, and then ask it to ask you questions.

Based on your background in engineering with a desire to transition into more business-oriented roles, here are a few thoughts:

1. Focus on the target roles/industries first. Identify the specific types of program/project management, business development, or government/EU agency roles you want to transition into. Understand the typical qualifications, skills, and experience required for those positions.

2. Evaluate if a full MBA is really necessary. Given your background, a specialized master's program in business management, project management, or even an online MBA may be a more efficient and cost-effective path. These can provide a robust business foundation without the full-time commitment of a traditional MBA.

3. Consider certifications like the PMP. As you noted, the PMP certification can be highly valuable for project management roles and may be sufficient on its own, especially if combined with your semiconductor experience.

4. Explore options closer to home. Since you're based in Ireland, look into respected programs at universities like Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, or DCU. These may provide more relevant local connections and opportunities compared to studying abroad.

The key is to avoid getting caught up in pursuing prestigious degrees for their own sake, especially at a school like ESCP whose brand equity is really concentrated in one capital city you don't seem to be targetting. Instead, take a little time to at least outline one or two hypotheses about target roles and industries, then objectively evaluate which educational path best positions you for success in those goals. A well-targeted master's or certification may be more impactful than a generalist MBA, depending on your specific situation and aspirations.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I'm happy to provide further guidance as you explore the options that best fit your career objectives. Also, consider booking an advisory session with Duncan.