Tips and tricks for juggling the demands of an Executive MBA

A key question for professionals considering an Executive MBA is whether they will be able to fit the course demands into an already busy life. We spoke to four former graduate Executive MBA students for their advice on balancing the program requirements with a full-time job and busy personal lives. Frank Miller is Global Head of Unified Communication Connectivity Practice at Vodafone. When he started his Hult Executive MBA, he was Global CTO for Huawei. He balanced his Executive MBA with a demanding global role. Fadzai Marange is Program Manager at NGO Right To Care. When she started the EMBA she was managing a Pathology Hub for Nuffield Health. As a single mother of two teenagers, Fadzai not only successfully graduated from Hult London but was also voted Class Speaker and set up a social enterprise app alongside an alumni team in Brazil. Mike Smollan is Chief Growth Innovation Officer at Smollan – a family run business focused on retail and brand solutions. He balanced his EMBA with running the business, which has 13,000 employees in China, a new baby, and family life. Monica Murielis an entrepreneur and mother of two. Monica started Zurita, a slow fashion business, with two of her Hult classmates whilst completing the EMBA and juggling family life. What is the workload of the Hult EMBA actually like? Fadazai: Having recently completed a masters with another well-known university in London, I found the workload of the Hult EMBA heavier – but very manageable. Along with my full-time job I have two teenagers, so I had to be organized. However, it was certainly possible to complete the EMBA alongside all my other responsibilities. The demands were based around the amount of assignments we had to do. We had to complete pre-course assignments these were great at ensuring you had reviewed the preparatory materials for the course. I would try to read at least one article per night to split the load evenly. During the long weekends on campus we would need to complete a group assignment. Wed probe and challenge the material, and bring it to life through practical activities. The days were long and intense, but very rewarding. After the weekend session, we had to complete a post-course assignment within two weeks. Each module came with about 10-15 Harvardbusinessreview articles and a few reference textbooks. If you wanted to enjoy and get the most out of the module it was best to read through the majority if not all of the resources. Apply now Were the demands of the EMBA what you expected? Fadzai: Yes, the demands were what I expected. Before starting the course Id attended some taster sessions and interacted with alumni. It was clear to me that the course was going to be demanding. I was expecting it to be a huge challenge as well because I was from a science background and not a business background. Frank: The demands were high and entering a world-class EMBA program is not easy. You will find yourself picking up the pace to retune your academic writing skills and critical thinking outside of your executive specialty. You’ll find the program invigorating–not only because of what you learn, but also because of your peers, from cultures across the globe. Get ready to sharpen your mind! Mike: I was expecting to be more overwhelmed than I was. Some courses were lighter than others and as the program was based on case studies rather than mindless textbook reading, I found it interesting and easy to stay motivated. I was meticulous about scheduling time to work on it and was very diligent about making sure that I digested the work in small manageable chunks. I had to make it work with my busy schedule, so for example, I have to travel a lot with my work and I used my time on planes to get the pre- and post-work done. Monica: At first I found it surprising. Slowly I had to start de-prioritizing other interests in my life, to find balance. I was lucky as my family and friends were also very supportive. And our cohort had such a great vibe it was a stimulating environment to learn in. This made it feel easy. You look forward to it and leave every weekend feeling energized. What advice would you give to future EMBA students on how to best prepare for the demands of the EMBA? Frank: Create an effective schedule. F: You must be organized and compartmentalized to fit everything into your work/life mix.There is definitely time to do the course and still maintain a good work, life, and school balance.Make sure you look at the work well in advance and plan your schedule well. Mike: Do the pre- and post-work as soon as possible. M: Life is busy. Family is busy. Don’t assume you’ll have time to get things done when you think you will. Do the pre- and post- work as soon as possible. It’ll allow you to manage the course itself. The more you put into the pre-work the more you will get from the course itself and the weekend group work. And in turn, the more you get from the course, the more rewarding and life-changing you will find it. Fadzai: Break up the work into smaller manageable chunks. F: Ensure you focus on time management. Youll get help on this along the way. Do small chunks of any pre- or post-work rather than try to do everything last minute, which will result in unnecessary pressure on you. Bear in mind the cost of the course its not just about getting the best grades; its about getting an output that adds value to your life. Fadzai: Create contingency in your schedule. F: I made it a rule that all my assignments would be submitted latest by Thursday midnight, even though they were due on Sunday. This principle enabled me to deal with unforeseencircumstances. For example, when my son got admitted to hospital with appendicitis on a Monday. I had my assignmentfor Global Operations due that Sunday. But Id already completed 80% of it and I still managed to complete it on time. Even though I stayed in hospital for three days and nights. Monica: Fully commit to the program. M: The course is only two years long. Be as engaged as you can and focus on it as much as you can. Make sure you get the most out of it. The time passes very fast and I truly miss it. Go for your goals. Apply by December 19th More like this Kavita Naik: Finding clarity through my Global One-Year MBA Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .