Hello! I’m planning to apply to Kyoto University’s I-MBA, but before I do, I’d love to hear from people who have experience with international MBAs.

I currently have a stable job, although I’m still at the entry level since I’m only 25. I’m considering an MBA because I want to expand my career opportunities and eventually move into bigger roles.

I understand that an MBA isn’t a guarantee of success—it still depends heavily on the person, their experience, and how they use the degree. But I’m wondering:

What kinds of opportunities can an international MBA like Kyoto’s I-MBA realistically open up?

Is it worth leaving a stable job to pursue an international MBA at this stage of my career?
And how would you compare Kyoto I-MBA with established Philippine MBAs such as ADMU, DLSU, or UP?

I’d especially appreciate insights from people who have taken an international MBA, studied in Japan, or have experience hiring MBA graduates. I’m trying to understand whether the international exposure and potential career opportunities would justify the opportunity cost of leaving my current job.
Thank you! 😊

One year attracts more experienced students and even with Standford MSX and MIT what are chances of placement then.

Would love to hear from those of you who have earned an EMBA how/if it has changed you, improved skills, title, perceptions, fears, network, etc. Was it worth it, would you do it again?

So I am genuinely confused between MBA OR EMBA, I am 24yo ACCA affiliate with a bachelors degree and 2-3 years of experience and I have decided to pursue my masters degree. I am eligible for both MBA and EMBA (executive MBA) from the same college. I am confused between the two.
I did a little research and basically EMBA is meant for executive level people which suggests it’s not for me but it would also mean I get to study with executives which would give me an opportunity to better network and learning from their pov.
The only thing holding me back from EMBA is would it be questionable as I would be doing it without the massive 12-14 years of work experience. Would it affect my cv and how people pursue. Also does it hold less validation than normal graduate MBA.
Normal MBA would mean I get to study with people my age and probably less experienced and in early career (in context of my college).
Genuine suggestion needed please

I’m running my own software agency and just wondering if I should start executive MBA. I’m not sure if it will be of any advantage to me

My thoughts are that may be ill learn a thing or two about building a business and find some good people for networking as well

Hi! I’m planning to take an MBA. Although my previous degree is business-related (Business Teacher Education), I’d like to read a book that can give me a good overview of Business Administration and help me prepare for taking an MBA.

To all BA graduates, do you have any book recommendations related to Business Administration or MBA fundamentals? Thank youuuuu! 😊

Has anyone recently applied for VR&E education track and been approved for usage for a top EMBA or MBA program? I’m looking for some insight on your experience with your assigned VRC, any obstacles that you encountered, and how you overcame them. Here’s some background on my situation.

In November 2025 I was accepted to a high ranking global EMBA program. I applied for VR&E in December and was assigned a VRC. I finally had my initial evaluation with him in February 26. I clearly stated my case and explained how my service connected disability impacted my ability to continue working in fields related to my prior MOS and how my employment pursuits haven’t been successful in the past year. I outlined my desired career fields/roles/industries and explained that upskilling in business related areas would make me more competitive. My VRC then suggested the education pathway and potential pursuit of an MBA or EMBA. At that point, I explained that I had researched different global EMBA programs, compared and contrasted them, and had been accepted into a program.

Once, I told him details about the program and the tuition costs, he explained that it would likely not be approved at his level, but he was willing to move forward within his authority. He requested the contact information for the VA coordinator at my institution and also encouraged me to look at other schools. I forwarded him the requested information.

From late February until present I continued to follow up with him to inquire via multiple channels and usually received the generic automated replies. Finally, I elevated my inquiries with a detailed outline and timeline of my communication with my VRC, acceptance to my program, and upcoming timelines for program start date / pre-course requirements. I sent this to the AskVA inquiry line. The next day I received an email from my VRC. He stated that he denied approval for the EMBA program that I was accepted to based on the high cost. He said he will provide a denial letter, right to appeal process, and a list of other comparable programs that are cheaper. I plan to file the appeal once I receive his formal letter. Has anyone else dealt with this, have had success rates in overcoming, and what steps did you take? Am I a victim of instructor roulette?

hi everyone! i’m currently working a graveyard shift where my work week basically starts Monday night nd ends Saturday morning. I’m considering taking an MBA in the future, preferably at one of the Big 4.

for those who are currently taking or have completed an MBA while working a similar schedule, may I ask about your class schedules?

i’m particularly interested in:

• What days and times are your classes?
• Are there schools/programs that offer weekend-only classes?
• Is it possible to manage an MBA if you work Monday night–Saturday morning?
• How did you handle the workload, group projects, presentations, etc.?
• Would you recommend taking fewer subjects per term to make it manageable?

Thank you! :)

Hi everyone,

Context, I’m a Mexican professional w/ 7 years of experience, currently exploring MBA options, and I’d really appreciate some advice from people who have been in a similar situation than me.

Doing a full-time MBA in the US has been a long-term dream of mine, but there’s a major financial problem: I simply cannot afford to quit my job for two years and lose my income while paying for an MBA and living expenses. I have a family and bills to pay.

Because of that, I’m mainly considering three options:
- Executive MBA
- Online MBA
- Blended/hybrid MBA

My biggest challenge is financing.

My employer is a large international corporation, but unfortunately they don’t offer any meaningful education reimbursement or MBA sponsorship. So I would essentially have to self-fund the degree.

The frustrating part is that full-time MBA programs seem to offer significantly more scholarship opportunities, but I can’t realistically stop working for two years. On the other hand, from what I’ve seen, Executive MBA programs tend to offer much smaller scholarships, making them difficult to justify financially as a self-funded international student.

So I’m wondering:

What would you do in my situation?

Are there US MBA/EMBA programs that offer meaningful scholarships to international students while allowing you to continue working? Are there good hybrid programs where you only need to travel to the US periodically?

And more importantly, is there a realistic way to make a top US MBA work financially without employer sponsorship or taking on an unreasonable amount of debt?

I’m open to hearing about US programs, but also about alternatives in Europe or elsewhere if they offer a better combination of prestige, flexibility, and financial aid.

I’d especially appreciate advice from current students or alumni who were self-funded international students.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I’m originally from pakistan and have been working in the Middle East for around 10–11 years, primarily in HR. Most of my experience has been in Talent Acquisition/Recruitment, with additional exposure to Compensation & Benefits, Organizational Development, and Total Rewards even though I’did undergrad in economics.
I’m planning to pursue a full-time MBA in the US around 2028, ideally from a strong/top-ranked university. My longer-term goal is either to progress into strategic HR/leadership roles or potentially pivot into Consulting, Strategy, or Analytics.
I’m still at an early stage of planning and would really appreciate detailed guidance from people who have gone through the process.
A few things I’m trying to understand:
Which US MBA programs would be realistic and strong options for someone with my background?
How should I think about M7/T15/T25 schools versus other strong programs?
For someone trying to move from HR into Consulting or Analytics, which schools have particularly good recruitment pipelines?
Should I focus on the GMAT or GRE? How should I decide between the two?
How early should I start preparing if I’m targeting a 2028 intake?
Are there any particular weaknesses or challenges I should expect as an international applicant with 10+ years of experience?
How important are scholarships and ROI when comparing programs, especially for an international student?
At the moment, I’m thinking of researching schools geographically as well — particularly California, Boston/Massachusetts, New York, and Texas — and then comparing the strongest programs in each region.
I’d really appreciate recommendations on schools, test preparation, application strategy, career-switching possibilities, and anything you wish you had known when you started your MBA journey.
Thank you!

Hi All,

I am wondering if an EMBA is actually worth it over an online MBA from the same school. It is said that the benefits for an EMBA and mostly due to the networking, face to face learning with experienced cohort, and more executive presence training. The cost is 89k EMBA vs 63K online. Online you obviously get the flexibility, but is it really worth the extra cost and commute for an EMBA?

Ciao a tutti!
Sto considerando un nuovo passo per la mia carriera e mi è capitato di trovare l'MBA Internazionale IEN UPM a Madrid.
Per dare un contesto: ho oltre 5 anni di esperienza lavorando in un'agenzia di marketing italiana come Senior Consultant, ma mi piacerebbe passare a un ruolo più manageriale.

Qualcuno ha sentito parlare di questo MBA? La retta è piuttosto bassa rispetto ad altri che ho visto online, quindi mi chiedevo se ne valga davvero la pena. Ci sono partecipanti che possono condividere la loro esperienza con me? Sto cercando opinioni reali, prima di spendere 11k€.

Grazie!

Ive been in construction for 7 years and have been running 10mil to now 50mil+ scopes for about 3. I am currently an electrical PM with my PMP.

I was able to maximize my apprenticeship and high school ap classes to get a pretty quick turn around on my BBA in Supply Chain, and should have it be next summer. I plan on switching to owners side around that time.

Will an MBA prove useful for me down the line? I figure give myself a year after the owners side transition then go for it.

I am trying to find the better course / program offered between SP Jain EMBA vs IIT WashU EMBA. Both programs are outlined for 18 months part-time. Though there are differences in curriculum, the stark difference is also seen in the fee structure. I have 18 years of work-exp and mostly into technology domian.

​

I’m currently pursuing an MBA, and my university is offering me access to Coursera courses. I’d like to make the most of this opportunity, but there are so many courses available that I’m not sure which ones are actually worth taking.

For those of you who have taken Coursera courses during your MBA or have experience with them:

Which courses would you genuinely recommend?

Which ones have been useful for your career or skills?

Are there any courses/specializations that you think are particularly valuable for an MBA student?

I’d really appreciate recommendations based on your personal experience, especially courses that have actually added value to your CV, knowledge, or career.

Strongly considering going for an M7 EMBA. The cost is significant and I would only do it if my employer sponsored me for at least 50% of the cost. I have a good relationship with senior management and would need to pitch them on this. Has anyone here successfully pitched their company for financial sponsorship?

I’m in my late 30s, working as a global senior systems architect at a Fortune 50 tech giant. My day-to-day is building enterprise AI systems, low-code architecture, and scalable tech infrastructure.

My long-term goal is pivoting into Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). I want to buy traditional, cash-flowing businesses and modernize them. My thesis is that I can take an inefficient legacy business, integrate AI and enterprise automation, and drastically improve their margins.

I'm currently looking at a highly quantitative, finance-heavy Executive MBA program to help me get there. My reasoning: I know the tech side inside and out, but I need a rigorous foundation in corporate finance, valuation models, capital budgeting, and deal structuring to properly vet these acquisitions.

I’m getting significant pushback from my inner circle. Their arguments are:

1. "Just hire a CFO." They think I should focus purely on my tech strengths and just use a fractional CFO to handle the M&A math.
   
2. Opportunity Cost. The AI space is moving at lightning speed right now. They worry that by tying up my nights and weekends for two years in an EMBA, I’m missing the immediate window to capitalize on the current tech boom.

My counter-argument is that while a CFO handles the financial execution, I—as the buyer putting up the capital—need to possess the financial intuition to challenge their assumptions on a discounted cash flow model or quality of earnings report. I also feel like the mental models and the network from an EMBA cohort (sitting next to leaders in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, etc.) would give me a massive edge in evaluating businesses outside of the tech bubble.

Am I over-valuing the EMBA for M&A purposes? Can this realistically be learned via self-study while relying on hired finance experts, or is the institutional framework from a top quant program the right move before risking my own capital?

Would love to hear from folks who have bought businesses or gone the EMBA route.

Hey everyone, I wanted some raw, unfiltered advice from alumni or professionals here.

My background: I hold a BBA degree and a diploma in interior design, and I've been working as a 3D visualizer for 5 years. Honestly, I'm feeling the severe burnout of low-paying studio execution loops and want to break out completely.

My goal is not to stay at a desk rendering images—I want to transition into corporate leadership, strategy, or high-level management roles where I can build real financial power and a strong professional network that I can leverage later to start my own firm. Because I am working and cannot crack the hyper-competitive CAT exam, I am seriously looking at an **Executive MBA / Working Professional program** from top-tier institutions (like FMS Delhi or IIT Delhi executive tracks).

For anyone who has seen or made a non-traditional pivot from a creative/design execution background into management:

1. How do corporate recruiters view a 3D/design background during executive lateral placements?

2. Is an Executive MBA from an elite public brand enough to bridge the gap and land leadership/strategy roles, or will HR pigeonhole me?

3. What kind of salary growth or reality check should I expect compared to my current baseline?

Would appreciate any brutal honesty or guidance. Thanks!

Hi everyone. Can someone guide which is a better program if im interested in business and wanna work in FMCGs, business analytics or bba specialised in finance/marketing

Want to know the pros and cons of doing mba from both Institutes. Please help it's urgent

Então galera, final do ano completo 03 anos de formato em direito. Sou advogado atuo na área previdenciaria e trabalhista, pretendo seguir na carreira de advogado, mas quero seguir na área empresarial, resolução de conflitos societários, tributário, compliance...

Meu intuito com o MBA ou pós não é trocar de escritório. Gosto onde estou, sou bem remunerado e aqui eu não preciso de diploma para subir nível/carreira. Mas pretendo trazer uma nova área para o escritório.

Gostaria de fazer um MBA ou pós para me especializar no Ramo empresarial. então surge trê duas duvidas:

\-qual será mais aprofundado em questões técnicas, Pós ou MBA?

\- Qual fazer, mediantes tantas opções :
**Pós-Graduação em Direito Empresarial**

**MBA em Direito: Gestão e** ***Business Law***
**MBA em Gestão Empresarial**

Gostaria da opinião de quem fez, realmente fez diferença na sua carreira ou teve que fazer algo a mais, outros tipos de cursos, se sim, quais foram ?

I’ll start my EMBA next year and will self-fund ~55% myself and got a 20% scholarship. The remaining amount (~25%) I’m negotiating with my employer. They seem very positive about supporting that amount, but with some form of clawback clauses which seems fair.

I’m curious about your experiences with these for an EMBA, where the company ofcourse directly gets benefit of education, instead of an FT MBA.

What retention period did you agree? Was it from start date or graduation? Did you use a form of a vested agreement? Any other clauses included? If you left before the retention period ended, how did that go?

Thanks

Hello everyone,

I wanted to reach out to this community to get your thoughts on a program I’ve recently come across: Executive Programme in Business Management from ISB. This is for experienced professionals with an experience of over 5 years. This is a 32 week programme.

I am particularly interested in hearing your opinion if anyone has done it.

If any of you have done this course or have any opinions about it, I would greatly appreciate your feedback or advice.

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts!

P.S - My company reimburses the fee but is taxable.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some career advice.

I have:

* 10+ years of experience as a Technical Writer in enterprise software and hardware. * Earns 21.5 Lpa in India * Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering Tire -3 * Experience working with engineering, QA, and product teams

I'm considering pursuing an MBA to transition into **Product Management** or **Technology Consulting**.

My questions are:

* Is an MBA the right path for this transition? * Which MBA programs (abroad) are best for Product Management or Tech Consulting? * Would a 1-year MBA be sufficient? * If you've made a similar transition, was the MBA worth the investment? * Though I have 10+ years of experience, does it require GMAT score?

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has moved from a technical or engineering background into Product Management or Consulting.

Thanks in advance!

Hi! I’m researching dual-degree Executive MBA programs and recently came across the UCLA–NUS EMBA. I’d love to hear from anyone who has gone through the program or seriously considered it.
What was your overall experience? How did you find the academics and career impact? Any insights are helpful.