Contemplating an MBA in the Netherlands

walamet

1 2

Posted Jul 24, 2020 04:09

Hi,

To give a bit of a background, I did my MSc at one of the Technical University in the Netherlands, after which I have worked for 3 years and I am currently working with one of the largest fmcgs. I am 29 and I have been wanting to make a transition in my career and move away from Technology. Maybe into finance or Management consultancy (still exploring my focus area). My GPAs are not extra ordinary but above average. I can think of 2 choices I can make for an MBA.

1) Target a top level b school outside of the Netherlands, such as, in the US or INSEAD (I would want to come back to the NL).

2) Target a top level b school eMBA in the Netherlands (which only leaves me with UVA and RSM, am a fan of neither but I might be wrong)

I was curious to know from experts about their opinion on the following:

1) How are MBAs perceived in the Dutch market? What signals does an MBA send in the Dutch market?

2) I already make like around 58k gross per year and I feel I am hitting a saturation in my field. With 3% salary appreciation, I am just getting impatient. (The silver lining being I started at 36k, 3 years ago.). Would an MBA in this case help me to break the saturation point?

3) What positions are experienced professionals with no management background hired into with an MBA.

[Edited by walamet on Jul 24, 2020]

Hi, 
 
To give a bit of a background, I did my MSc at one of the Technical University in the Netherlands, after which I have worked for 3 years and I am currently working with one of the largest fmcgs. I am 29 and I have been wanting to make a transition in my career and move away from Technology. Maybe into finance or Management consultancy (still exploring my focus area). My GPAs are not extra ordinary but above average. I can think of 2 choices I can make for an MBA. 
 
1) Target a top level b school outside of the Netherlands, such as, in the US or INSEAD (I would want to come back to the NL). 
2) Target a top level b school eMBA in the Netherlands (which only leaves me with UVA and RSM, am a fan of neither but I might be wrong) 
 
I was curious to know from experts about their opinion on the following: 
 
1) How are MBAs perceived in the Dutch market? What signals does an MBA send in the Dutch market? 
 
2) I already make like around 58k gross per year and I feel I am hitting a saturation in my field. With 3% salary appreciation, I am just getting impatient. (The silver lining being I started at 36k, 3 years ago.). Would an MBA in this case help me to break the saturation point? 
 
3) What positions are experienced professionals with no management background hired into with an MBA.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jul 24, 2020 16:16

Take a look at the top MBA program websites. They will often have examples of people. Insead is a good example, since most people go into consulting.

The Netherlands has disjointed labour markets. MBAs are hired by a tight pack of international firms. Take a look on LinkedIn.

Also look at MBA salaries: you have a lot of room for growth.

Take a look at the top MBA program websites. They will often have examples of people. Insead is a good example, since most people go into consulting.  The Netherlands has disjointed labour markets. MBAs are hired by a tight pack of international firms. Take a look on LinkedIn.  Also look at MBA salaries: you have a lot of room for growth.

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walamet

1 2

Posted Jul 25, 2020 01:18

Take a look at the top MBA program websites. They will often have examples of people. Insead is a good example, since most people go into consulting.

The Netherlands has disjointed labour markets. MBAs are hired by a tight pack of international firms. Take a look on LinkedIn.

Also look at MBA salaries: you have a lot of room for growth.

Did a quick LinkedIn search query and most of the results indeed returned INSEAD and RSM. Some consultancies within the Netherlands do happen to prefer an MBA from a reputed university. (Speaking Fluent Dutch in fact also seems to open up a lot of opportunities, I can manage B1)

1. what would you say about pursuing an MBA for someone like me who wishes to return back to the Netherlands?
2. would you prefer LBS or RSM? Which one holds more value in the Dutch market?
3. according to my financial plan, I will pursue an mba at an age of 31. This would give me a bit more time to further strengthen my personal branding and build a clear motivation. Would you say this age is too old for an MBA？

[quote]Take a look at the top MBA program websites. They will often have examples of people. Insead is a good example, since most people go into consulting.  The Netherlands has disjointed labour markets. MBAs are hired by a tight pack of international firms. Take a look on LinkedIn.  Also look at MBA salaries: you have a lot of room for growth.  [/quote] Did a quick LinkedIn search query and most of the results indeed returned INSEAD and RSM. Some consultancies within the Netherlands do happen to prefer an MBA from a reputed university. (Speaking Fluent Dutch in fact also seems to open up a lot of opportunities, I can manage B1) 1. what would you say about pursuing an MBA for someone like me who wishes to return back to the Netherlands?  2. would you prefer LBS or RSM? Which one holds more value in the Dutch market? 3. according to my financial plan, I will pursue an mba at an age of 31. This would give me a bit more time to further strengthen my personal branding and build a clear motivation. Would you say this age is too old for an MBA？

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jul 25, 2020 06:44

1. It's a good idea to take an MBA if you want the sorts of roles that school places into in your target market.

2. LBS is better for most people who want work for the firms LBS partners with.

3. You are not too old. The NPV will be very positive.

1. It's a good idea to take an MBA if you want the sorts of roles that school places into in your target market. 2. LBS is better for most people who want work for the firms LBS partners with.  3. You are not too old. The NPV will be very positive.

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Razors Edg...

1.082 833

Posted Jul 29, 2020 17:17

For the top consultancies, it's counter-intuitive but LBS or Insead would probably be better choices than RSM, even if you want to work in the Netherlands. The recruiting funnels through these schools into the top consulting firms are quite well established. Are you not considering Insead at all?

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