A Sit-Down with the Associate Dean
Associate Dean of the EMBA program, Ethan Hanabury sat down with the editor of EMBA Insider, our monthly newsletter, to discuss how Columbia’s EMBA program is responding to this challenging economic time.
Insider: I think for many professionals, this seems like the worst time to be going to their boss and requesting time and money to pursue an MBA. Ethan, you’ve been talking about how this is, in fact, an ideal time for this degree. Please tell me why you feel that way.
Ethan Hanabury: A time of financial turmoil is the right time to hone, refine and broaden your skill set. Expanding your international perspective and gaining new business insights will help you get ready to seize opportunities when the good times return — and even to create new opportunities. Also, a strong network is a critical survival tool in a wintry economic climate — that’s a major advantage of Columbia’s Executive MBA program.
But our students and prospects say that, although they themselves may understand this, it’s their employers that may not. In times like these, staffs are contracting—“lean and mean” is the order of the day, and employers are going to value those managers who can take on multiple functions, understand overall business objectives and are trained to act on them. An MBA gives you those skills—and the executive MBA format allows students to gain those skills while still performing for their organizations, gaining new skills every week that benefit their companies’ bottom lines. Students and employers alike tell us the executive MBA really is a demonstrable return on their investment from the very first week.
Columbia’s application materials mention sponsorship as one of the admissions requirements. Is this referring to financial sponsorship?
We have a requirement that students get “time sponsorship” — essentially meaning that their organization assures that they will be granted the time away from work to attend all classes and required program activities. Many students also receive full or partial financial support from their employer, but financial sponsorship is absolutely not required for admission to the program. So, if you are employed by an organization that can sponsor you for time but not support you financially, you can certainly meet the financial requirements yourself.
How does this requirement affect a small business owner, or other self-employed student?
If a student is an independent professional or consultant, or the head of their own firm, they may write their own sponsor letter.
If a student is unable to secure financial sponsorship from their company, can you recommend any other outside sources of financial support they might consider?
Quite frequently students can find some financing through organizations with which they are affiliated. Religious, fraternal or athletic organizations, clubs, veteran groups, ethnic groups, unions, and similar organizations are good places to start. We’ve compiled and posted up on our web site a list of several funding sources that can help guide you through that search.
Everyone is worried these days about keeping their job. What happens if a student loses their job after they begin the program? Do they have to leave the program?
We would never ask a student to leave the program because they have lost their job. Our Career Management office is prepared to consult with students in order to help them develop an effective strategy for re-entering the workforce. We offer a program of workshops, individual advising, and online resources to assist all students, whether they are looking to find a new or job, or simply to improve their current position.
What if a change in a student’s situation keeps them from completing the program in five consecutive terms?
Our standard course load is typically completed in five consecutive terms, for a combined time commitment of 20 months. However, some students face circumstances requiring a leave from the program or taking on a reduced course load. We take every step to support students in these cases and will work with them individually to develop plans to meet their needs.
I see that an international seminar is required. What if circumstances arise that do not allow a student to travel?
The International Seminar is an important academic and student experience. But from time to time, some students will not be able to travel. We will evaluate the situations case-by-case and have worked with such students to find an appropriate elective course that would replace the seminar.
Let’s say my company, like so many today, is cutting travel budgets, expense accounts, and catered lunches. How do I convince my employer that now is the right time to support my application to the Columbia Executive MBA program?
Whether you are asking for time sponsorship, financial sponsorship, or both, it is important that you communicate to your employer the return on investment of this program. In any economic environment — and perhaps more particularly in an economic downturn — employees that are best prepared to respond to changing environments are always in demand. You will need to demonstrate how the key concerns and challenges of your business can be served through the program content, the academic and softer skill development, and the expanded network that you will bring to your company.
When you approach your employer, you will undoubtedly need to make a business case to your manager explaining “what’s in it for them.” Our admissions team can provide you with successful business cases or proposals made by other students.
New York City has been particularly hard hit with by a tremendous amount of layoffs. If a student has recently lost their job, would you still consider their application?
As I said, we do have an employment requirement for admission to Columbia Executive MBA programs. That said, we would consider exceptions to this requirement on a case-by-case basis for recently unemployed applicants who are otherwise very highly qualified. Any students who find themselves in this position should contact our admissions office.
