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Posted Nov 09, 2024 18:00

I'm trying to choose between MBA programs. I have 20 years experience, and a decade in FAANG as a software engineer and manager. I'm from the USA, but I'm currently in Switzerland. I could end up in either country in the long run. I already have a pretty good network but I'm looking to add a pile of new tools to my toolbelt, dramatically expand my business vocabulary/knowledge, and en route pick up the credential from an institution known in both countries. After extensive research and conversations with alumni, the three programs I'm most interested in with the key things that attract me:

1) Imperial Global MBA.
Good: A few weeks in person. Cohorts. Innovation. Leadership. Fair price.
2) ETH/HSG EMBA X.
Good: In-person. Innovation in Tech. Sustainability focus. Shortest length.
Bad: Significantly more expensive. I believe it also covers less content.
3) Gies iMBA.
Good: Flexible scheduling. Cheap. Lots of students/alumni in tech.
Bad: Very large classes. No in-person.

I considered many other options, including IMD, but I find various factors (such as cost or travel requirements) prohibitive.

These are quite different programs, but after doing extensive research, they seem to be the best options for my goals & location. Any thoughts come to mind about which to choose?

[Edited by where44 on Nov 09, 2024]

I'm trying to choose between MBA programs. I have 20 years experience, and a decade in FAANG as a software engineer and manager. I'm from the USA, but I'm currently in Switzerland. I could end up in either country in the long run. I already have a pretty good network but I'm looking to add a pile of new tools to my toolbelt, dramatically expand my business vocabulary/knowledge, and en route pick up the credential from an institution known in both countries. After extensive research and conversations with alumni, the three programs I'm most interested in with the key things that attract me:

1) Imperial Global MBA.
Good: A few weeks in person. Cohorts. Innovation. Leadership. Fair price.
2) ETH/HSG EMBA X.
Good: In-person. Innovation in Tech. Sustainability focus. Shortest length.
Bad: Significantly more expensive. I believe it also covers less content.
3) Gies iMBA.
Good: Flexible scheduling. Cheap. Lots of students/alumni in tech.
Bad: Very large classes. No in-person.

I considered many other options, including IMD, but I find various factors (such as cost or travel requirements) prohibitive.

These are quite different programs, but after doing extensive research, they seem to be the best options for my goals & location. Any thoughts come to mind about which to choose?
quote

Posted Nov 11, 2024 10:13

I notice you haven't specified what you want to do after the MBA. Will you stay in tech management? Move into a different industry? Start your own venture? This clarity would help identify which program best serves your aims.

The in-person components of Imperial and ETH/HSG enable deeper relationships and experiential learning. Gies offers more schedule flexibility but less immersive networking.

Before deciding, I'd encourage you to:
-- Define specific post-MBA career goals
-- Speak with alumni working in your target roles/locations
-- Calculate ROI based on likely career outcomes
I notice you haven't specified what you want to do after the MBA. Will you stay in tech management? Move into a different industry? Start your own venture? This clarity would help identify which program best serves your aims.

The in-person components of Imperial and ETH/HSG enable deeper relationships and experiential learning. Gies offers more schedule flexibility but less immersive networking.

Before deciding, I'd encourage you to:
-- Define specific post-MBA career goals
-- Speak with alumni working in your target roles/locations
-- Calculate ROI based on likely career outcomes
quote

Posted Nov 11, 2024 10:24

I love my job, and I'm not planning on moving. My primary goal is learning. If what I learn helps with promotion over time.... that's a perfect outcome. But if it doesn't, I won't be devastated. I have no illusions that an MBA is a magic bullet.

Why not just take Coursera courses or read a few books? If layoffs in tech continue and I am impacted, going the formal route is the better bet. I also know that I will learn more with a more formal structure.

I've already spoken with alums. I'm posting here in case something random I hadn't considered pops up. So opinionated responses or tangents are welcome!

[Edited by where44 on Nov 11, 2024]

I love my job, and I'm not planning on moving. My primary goal is learning. If what I learn helps with promotion over time.... that's a perfect outcome. But if it doesn't, I won't be devastated. I have no illusions that an MBA is a magic bullet.

Why not just take Coursera courses or read a few books? If layoffs in tech continue and I am impacted, going the formal route is the better bet. I also know that I will learn more with a more formal structure.

I've already spoken with alums. I'm posting here in case something random I hadn't considered pops up. So opinionated responses or tangents are welcome!
quote

Posted Nov 11, 2024 10:43

Your focus on learning rather than career transition shifts my perspective quite a bit! Since you're happy in your role and primarily want to build knowledge, let's look at these programs through a different lens.

Given your goals, I'd rank the considerations:
1 Quality of learning experience
2 Ability to maintain job performance
3 Value for money
4 Credential value (as insurance)

This actually makes me lean toward Gies iMBA because:
-- The low cost means less pressure to justify ROI
-- The flexible format lets you focus deeply on topics that interest you
-- Tech industry alignment means relevant examples and discussions
-- Large class sizes offer diverse perspectives from peers
-- You can pace yourself based on work demands
-- Still provides a solid credential if needed

The main drawback of Gies - lack of in-person networking - matters less given your established network and current role satisfaction.

ETH/HSG seems expensive for pure learning purposes, unless you're particularly excited about their sustainability focus.

Imperial sits in the middle - offering some valuable in-person learning but at a higher cost that's harder to justify without career change goals.
Your focus on learning rather than career transition shifts my perspective quite a bit! Since you're happy in your role and primarily want to build knowledge, let's look at these programs through a different lens.

Given your goals, I'd rank the considerations:
1 Quality of learning experience
2 Ability to maintain job performance
3 Value for money
4 Credential value (as insurance)

This actually makes me lean toward Gies iMBA because:
-- The low cost means less pressure to justify ROI
-- The flexible format lets you focus deeply on topics that interest you
-- Tech industry alignment means relevant examples and discussions
-- Large class sizes offer diverse perspectives from peers
-- You can pace yourself based on work demands
-- Still provides a solid credential if needed

The main drawback of Gies - lack of in-person networking - matters less given your established network and current role satisfaction.

ETH/HSG seems expensive for pure learning purposes, unless you're particularly excited about their sustainability focus.

Imperial sits in the middle - offering some valuable in-person learning but at a higher cost that's harder to justify without career change goals.
quote

Posted Nov 11, 2024 17:12

Thanks! Appreciate the interpretation. I find that useful.
Thanks! Appreciate the interpretation. I find that useful.
quote

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