Fast and Furious: MBA Drift

Among other things I saw on my trip to Asia was a growing interest in post-graduate education, specifically the MBA. The MBA has long been viewed in the West as a qualification for a leadership position. Whether it really is or not, that's the perception, and no matter what, advanced education does tend to be useful. That view is taking hold in Asia, as more and more companies are starting to look for folks with advanced education to take on leadership posts, including those in creative fields.

A common approach to the MBA in Europe is the accelerated MBA program, which takes a year rather than the more traditional two-years. A recent article in the Asian edition of The Wall Street Journal took a look at these programs, which are gaining popularity among Asian firms, according to folks with whom I spoke. But are they a good idea?

(Disclosure: I earned my MBA through a two-year program, though I was a part-time student, taking two courses a semester for 5 semesters)

There are some clear advantages to these programs, the most obvious being that you only spend a year out of the workforce rather than two. With only a year in which to perform you tend to stay very focused, and you'll often be surrounded by others with business experience rather than by students who just finished an undergraduate degree (those folks tend to go for two-year programs). So, a group of mature, experienced students working together in a fast-paced, fairly structured environment, can make for a good educational opportunity.

But as with all things in life, there's a downside. Moving so quickly through the program can leave little time for serious thought and critical analysis, as you jump to finish one project quickly so you can move on to another. Another loss is the opportunity for an internship, which many traditional students will do during the summer between their two years. Finally, many accelerated students report their networking opportunities are reduced, with weaker bonds between alumni and less assistance from career placement offices, who simply don't have the time to develop networks for students who are there such a relatively short period.

So who should consider an accelerated program? Well, they seem to be pretty suitable for people staying in the same career field, particularly those returning to the same company. They don't need the networking as much, nor the internship, as they have already established a place in their fields and are simply moving on to the next step. These too are the folks for whom an extended absence might be bad, as they fall behind their peers in terms of work experience, so getting back to work more quickly is probably a good idea.

If, on the other hand, you're using your MBA as a jumping off point to change careers, you should consider the two-year programs.

Advanced education is becoming more popular in Asia, where education has always been respected but work experience is as well. For many people, an accelerated MBA might be an excellent choice. Speed isn't the most desirable quality in an educational program...but it might be the most useful one.