Hi,

I just have a question that might sound basic, but relevant nonetheless. I see most MBA programme sales teams are heavily reliant on alumni network pitch. I just wondered, what is the actual tangible value of an alumni network? I'm not being facetious by the way.

A few years ago I completed an MSc in London and my cohorts and I were going to be competeing for the same jobs, it was like being undergrad and hoping for an opportunity. Alumni and network benefits were basically nil and peripheral. Sometimes in these MBA sales pitch strategies, it can be difficult to sifle through the waffle. This may sound scathing, but it is not meant in that context.

Perhaps with MBAs it is different. Any info is appreciated

In the same way that momentum is mass multiplied by velocity, the alumni network is the number of engaged alumni multiplied by the effort put in by alumni and the school into creating opportunities. Generally, US schools are far ahead of UK schools, and mainland European and Asian schools are far behind. 

I have studied at several schools and there's a huge difference in activity. I'd rate EDHEC, IE, LBS, Newcastle and Tuck highly; Henley, King's, Manchester and UCLA in the middle; and City, Edinburgh and HHL lower. 

What kind of opportunities though? Jobs by word of mouth? Business ventures? I just always thought it odd that the first thing universities mention is the alumi network when selling their MBA. 

All sorts of things generally arise from networking. Certainly, job opportunities, but also accessing investors, business leads, information on firms of interest, insights on new markets.... 

OK, sounds quite a different experience to an MSc programme. 

I guess it depends on the MSc. If you're in the MSc if a top business school, then you have access to an active, well-resourced network. You have to put in the effort to do the networking.