In the second of this four-part series, QS TopExecutive takes a look at how an Executive MBA can benefit the middle manager Middle management can be a tough spot to be in. Often associated with long hours and considerable levels of responsibility, the salary of a middle management position isn’t always entirely reflective of the efforts put into the role either. Furthermore, in many organizations there tends to be an abundance of middle management which can make standing out from the crowd difficult.
An EMBA educationA way out of what many call the ‘middle management squeeze’ is through personal development and education. Able and ambitious professionals can very quickly plateau in middle management positions and become frustrated with the lack of opportunity to progress up the career ladder.
Most managers in the midst of their careers are unlikely to be able to, or want to take two years out to study a full-time MBA, but this is where an Executive MBA can meet the requirements of the middle manager. Catering specifically to those with considerable work experience (business schools demand a minimum of five years managerial experience for EMBA candidates which many middle managers will have) who wish to advance their careers without abandoning them temporarily, the EMBA has great appeal to ambitious middle managers who want to increase their marketability and value as an employee.
When to embark on an EMBAWhen a middle manager has reached a point in their careers where they are not only treading water with the role there are in, but perhaps have also reached a ceiling in terms of experience and knowledge, an EMBA can breath fresh air into one’s career path.
The part-time program spread over 12 plus months allows managers to expand on their work experience to date and stay up to date with new technologies, knowledge and approaches, thus increasing their value in the workplace.
An EMBA also gives middle managers, who have risen through the ranks and have a very specific management skill set, the opportunity to gain important general management skills, including strategies for finance, accounting, marketing and human resources, not to mention effective soft skills, such as communication and leadership.
Furthermore, gaining new contacts and having access to new networks can make all the difference for a new career. Being embedded in a class of highly diverse and ambitious people has often proven to be the start of great personal and professional relationship for managers in the mid-stages of their careers.
Employer supportHowever, a middle manager wishing to embark on an EMBA relies, in many respects, on the good will of their employer. Some companies will encourage their employees to pursue further education, providing them with either financial support or allowing time off for scheduled study modules if needed. Although the number of companies sponsoring employees on an EMBA is dwindling, employers on the whole do still recognize the immense value such a degree can bring to their company. Support from the employer, financial or otherwise, is crucial and should be discussed before enrolling into a program. Support from family and friends is also important as it is not easy to juggle the long hours a middle management position entails with the added work-load of an EMBA.
A worthwhile investmentDespite the challenges and demands of an EMBA program, the benefits the degree can bring to those in middle management roles are tremendous. Not only is it an ideal way of improving one’s salary, it also facilitates career advancement and opens doors to new opportunities – both within a candidate’s existing workplace or further afield. For those experiencing the middle management squeeze, an Executive MBA could be just what is needed to breathe new life into slightly stagnant careers.
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