Worcester Business Journal

www.wbjournal.com April 27, 2015 • Worcester Business Journal 15 >> EDUCATION SUNDAY, MAY 31, 11AM – 1PM Table 3 Chefs & Catering For more information: www.worcester.edu/golf or 508-929-8141 Presenting Sponsor Platinum Broadcast Radio Sponsor Platinum Print Media Sponsor Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors 22 nd ANNUAL WORCESTER STATE FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT Monday, June 22, 2015 1/4 pg 4.3 x 6 golf ad 2015v2.indd 1 4/17/15 9:53 AM Twenty-year wait Debbie laCortiglia, a WPI student enrolled in an MBA program with a focus on innovation and entrepreneur- ship, waited 20 years before jumping back into the classroom. She's enrolled in a cohort program that allows students to finish in 2½ years with the same group of students, building connections on a team as they work. Most students in the program have been in their careers for a few years first. The average age of a student in the cohort program is around 35, according to laCortiglia. And laCortiglia, in her early 40s, has no regrets about waiting that long to continue her education. "At this stage in my career I was able to afford the educa- tion and it has given me a kick-start into the next phase of my career," she said. "My advice to someone considering get- ting their MBA is to find the right pro- gram; there are many options." She works full time as an IT director, "For me, it is already paying off in my current role, and it has given me the knowledge and tools to be confident and take ownership of my career and take it to the next level." Another benefit, laCortiglia said, is the new network she has formed at school. Educators say it's essential that stu- dents have a taste of the business world before stepping foot in it. "We want to graduate principled busi- ness leaders who will go beyond the bottom-line objectives of a business and will think of the impact of their deci- sions on the community at large and their employees," said Eric Drouart, pro- fessor and director of the MBA program at Assumption College. Assumption's program, which has been active for more than 30 years, focuses on business ethics. Students can also engage in international business studies, as some students traveled to Poland and Italy over the last two years. This allows them to develop marketing and business strategies while gaining experience on a global level. Drouart believes real business experi- ence is invaluable to students pursuing an MBA. "Employers recognize the MBA degree as indication of profes- sional business mastery. People already having experience in the business world will get an MBA to add value to their experience for potential promotion and advancement opportunities in their pro- fession," he said. Elizabeth "Libby" O'Hara, visiting assistant professor of business, who oversees the Assumption's MBA con- centration in sport business and leader- ship, believes it is important to give stu- dents real-life experience while they're earning their degree. She said students intern with the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and the Doug Flutie Foundation, among other organizations tied to sports. "Each student is assigned a mentor from the sport field," she said. "We as faculty and mentors are committed to Assumption MBA students reaching their professional goals and ultimate success." Two in one Some colleges, such as Clark University in Worcester, even offer dual degree programs that allow students to earn two master's degrees in three years. "The idea is learning deeply in an area they want to focus in, by getting success- ful management skills," said Catherine Usoff, dean of Clark's Graduate School of Management. "Part-time students coming back received a promotion due to their MBA. It's really paying off in terms of career progression." Usoff also recommends that students get themselves established in their careers before they come back to pursue an MBA. That helps them develop com- munication, leadership and other real- world skills. Many programs, such as Framingham State University's, combine theory with real-life experiences. "We looked at market trends and together with our board of advisors comprised of people from surrounding industries, we have designed a program that we believe includes the 12 critical areas that an MBA graduate needs to be trained on be successful," said Jorge Riveras, director of Framingham State's MBA program and assistant professor of strategy and international business. It's important to get a sense of the business world when a student is in the classroom, he said. Applying concepts from the classroom to actual situations allows the student to develop the skills they need to succeed. Riveras and others involved with the MBA program, he said, "come from the corporate world, and we can relate to what applicants are going through. We clarify any doubts they have, explain the content and advantage of our courses and talk with them about working life and career opportunities. We are here to educate." It's imperative that a student be enrolled in an MBA program that is challenging and that gives the student a competitive edge, according to Joe McAloon, a professor and coordinator of the MBA program at Fitchburg State University. This allows workers to bring more set skills to the table, skills their colleagues may lack, he said. "Students can come into the program right after school or wait until they have worked for a while," McAloon said. "There are advantages and disadvantag- es to both." Either way, he said, "You need the competitive advantage of having the MBA." Q Brittany Lopriore is an editorial intern at the Worcester Business Journal. The right time to pursue an MBA >> Continued from Page 12

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