Hello Duncan!

I've been reading a lot here in the forum and online however I am struggling a bit to decide my the best way forward for my career.

I live in UK, IT graduate and been working on my area for over 15 years. Last 6 years with consulting, leading projects with global team, working closely with clients however never a formal management position.

I am looking to progress my career now to a higher management position. Probably working on IT sector companies which are normally global companies. So my first thought was to do a MBA which would give me a broad view of different leadership and management areas.

However I've read here that opting for a MIM or other masters could also be an option. Unfortunately I do not have the resources to do top universities even though my company is willing to give some sponsorship.

I am coming down to these options and would appreciate your input, please:

Master:
- Bayes: Executive Master's in Leadership - apprenticeship levy
- Henley: Senior Leader Apprenticeship | Business Administration (+MBA) - apprenticeship levy that would progress to a MBA

MBAs:
- Birmingham Online MBA or Aston EMBA
- Manchester Blended MBA (depending sponsorship)
- Durham Blended MBA (depending sponsorship)

Thank you in advance.

Henley and the other senior apprenticeship options stand out: excellent value for you and your company. Which schools have the best network in your industry or target firms? Also look at the Cranfield and Manchester options, if those locations work for you. Bayes programme is interesting but an MBA is better understood. 

Thank you Stuart!

I looked universities that are the best for Computer Science, from the ones I mentioned Manchester is the highest ranked. Regarding business schools network with IT companies I confess that I don't know. How can I find this information?

Manchester would be my first options however I might not be able to proceed. If that's the case, from your point of view, would a Henley senior apprenticeship with an MBA be better than an exclusive MBA program on the other universities I mentioned ?

Considering I might work for other International companies, would an apprenticeship "lose " its value since is more UK focused?

[Edited by LauraG on May 16, 2022]

Use LinkedIn. Duncan has a good post on how to do that. I don't think the fact that it's a apprenticeship makes a big difference. I would not suggest mentioning it, but the academic qualifications. 

I looked universities that are the best for Computer Science, from the ones I mentioned Manchester is the highest ranked. Regarding business schools network with IT companies I confess that I don't know. How can I find this information?

Manchester would be my first options however I might not be able to proceed. If that's the case, from your point of view, would a Henley senior apprenticeship with an MBA be better than an exclusive MBA program on the other universities I mentioned ?

Considering I might work for other International companies, would an apprenticeship "lose " its value since is more UK focused?

You are correct related to my age and some of your assumptions. 

Before moving abroad I was working on a large international company already focusing on a management path. I was working towards it and the feedback was positive.

Moving abroad things changed as I worked first on a company that had no career progression and a second where I started focusing on consulting - going outside of only technical capabilities. But yes, I did miss a good 5 years on this move - staying where I was I would certainly have progressed into management positions already.

In my current company I made clear of my intentions during interview, as much as they offered support to my decision (hence one of the possibility is doing the apprenticeship) with good feedbacks and talks about career progression.

I agree, MBA is not a magic tool, also not essential otherwise every CEO would have one. 

That's why I appreciate the inputs regarding apprenticeship vs MBA in my case. Other than the financial differences, one puts me in a position of showing further potential to my company and internal network VS the other where I will be more exposed to professionals from other areas and external networking.

Any further inputs are appreciated.

I think you have good advice and useful questions here. The senior apprenticeships go a great job of attracting people who are qualified for more senior roles but have a shortage of experience, self-belief or resources. They won't be around forever, so grab them while you can. Your employer will appreciate the business-specific application of the materials. Other employers will value the academic qualification and the alumni network. They have both benefits. Carpe diem. 

Understood.

Thank you all for your inputs.

Hi Duncan!
Would you have any advice on courses in UK if someone wishes to work in Healthcare sector( specifically pharma company/ other Healthcare companies- GSK.etc.)? Interested in managerial roles in operations/ supply/ sales in those companies. 
Thanks.

See the article on using LinkedIn linked on my profile page.