Calling all academics
Discussion
Hi folks, not the most interesting of topics but will be useful to me nonetheless.
I graduated in June and have been working for a large multinational company in the Supply Chain since. I asked whether I could do a MBA but was told at this point in time they would not support this, but would support a Masters.
They told me to find a suitable course and justify my reasons for doing it. Truth be told I am doing it to further my knowledge and make myself more marketable in the future, and if someone is willing to pay for it then great.
I am based in the midlands so would like to do a MSc at Warwick Business School. I am still expected to work 5 days a week so would have to be distance learning or evenings and weekends.
Does anyone have any experience or advise they could pass on for worthwhile courses etc.
Many thanks
I graduated in June and have been working for a large multinational company in the Supply Chain since. I asked whether I could do a MBA but was told at this point in time they would not support this, but would support a Masters.
They told me to find a suitable course and justify my reasons for doing it. Truth be told I am doing it to further my knowledge and make myself more marketable in the future, and if someone is willing to pay for it then great.
I am based in the midlands so would like to do a MSc at Warwick Business School. I am still expected to work 5 days a week so would have to be distance learning or evenings and weekends.
Does anyone have any experience or advise they could pass on for worthwhile courses etc.
Many thanks
matt21 said:
Hi folks, not the most interesting of topics but will be useful to me nonetheless.
I graduated in June and have been working for a large multinational company in the Supply Chain since. I asked whether I could do a MBA but was told at this point in time they would not support this, but would support a Masters.
They told me to find a suitable course and justify my reasons for doing it. Truth be told I am doing it to further my knowledge and make myself more marketable in the future, and if someone is willing to pay for it then great.
I am based in the midlands so would like to do a MSc at Warwick Business School. I am still expected to work 5 days a week so would have to be distance learning or evenings and weekends.
Does anyone have any experience or advise they could pass on for worthwhile courses etc.
Many thanks
Could you not use the open university if you still have to work full time?
I graduated in June and have been working for a large multinational company in the Supply Chain since. I asked whether I could do a MBA but was told at this point in time they would not support this, but would support a Masters.
They told me to find a suitable course and justify my reasons for doing it. Truth be told I am doing it to further my knowledge and make myself more marketable in the future, and if someone is willing to pay for it then great.
I am based in the midlands so would like to do a MSc at Warwick Business School. I am still expected to work 5 days a week so would have to be distance learning or evenings and weekends.
Does anyone have any experience or advise they could pass on for worthwhile courses etc.
Many thanks
Could you not use the open university if you still have to work full time?
drivin_me_nuts said:
Are you prepared to make the changes that this is going to entail?
4-5 hours work pretty much every evening and at least one full day at weekends. Can you social/family life/relationships take this?
Masters degrees are no cakewalk. Think hard before you commit.
im 23 have little commitment, so if I am ever going to do this no is the time.4-5 hours work pretty much every evening and at least one full day at weekends. Can you social/family life/relationships take this?
Masters degrees are no cakewalk. Think hard before you commit.
A couple of things seem a bit weird, one is that your employer won't support a masters, but will support a masters. Depending on whether it's in business administration or not. Did they say why? Also it would be preferable for you and you alone to select a course from the perspective of your own personal interests and aptitudes. Obviously you'd do this anyway regardless of what others might suggest, but if you've got certain institutions in mind either because they're local or because they have a good distance learning programme, what does your long-list look like? My most recent experience involves tutoring on a taught masters programme rather than working on one, and those students who did best, surprise surprise, had approached it more like willing and interested volunteers than journeymen (or journeywomen) conscripts going through the motions.
Have a look at University of Liverpool. The offer both MBA and MSc degrees online. Make no mistake, this is not an easy option, you are looing at 3 years of studying 20 hours a week on top of your normal life, but the courses are good. I am in the final phases of mine, it's not been easy, you do have to sacrifice your social life on occasions, but it has been worth it.
Another useful site was www.prospects.ac.uk As I recall you had to register, but once done you can search for Masters degrees and filter based on the method of study, which is how I found the course I am doing now. Some of the distance learning courses I looked at required you to complete summer school type residential courses as part of the overall qualification - are you ready to sacrifice holidays, or would your employer give you leave to attend these?
If you are prepared to put the hard graft in it is worth it in the end, but don't think it will be a walk in the park! PM if you have more specific questions you want to ask
Another useful site was www.prospects.ac.uk As I recall you had to register, but once done you can search for Masters degrees and filter based on the method of study, which is how I found the course I am doing now. Some of the distance learning courses I looked at required you to complete summer school type residential courses as part of the overall qualification - are you ready to sacrifice holidays, or would your employer give you leave to attend these?
If you are prepared to put the hard graft in it is worth it in the end, but don't think it will be a walk in the park! PM if you have more specific questions you want to ask
Hi Matt,
My company, RDI, is advertising on PH at present so I hope I am allowed to respond in this way. I am also an academic (ex. Professor) with 20 years experience through to PhD supervision.
RDI is based near Coventry Airport only a few minutes from the University of Warwick, which you mentioned. We have over 20 years of experience in UK University distance learning, worldwide, with three MBA's to offer plus a range of MSc's including an MSc in Management. Distance Learning isn't an easy option but we get good success rates through the support and guidance provided both before enrolling and during your studies.
Our web site is here. Please email me via PH if you want to ask any questions. We could even meet at our offices to discuss the options open to you if you want.
If there is nothing we offer that is appropriate for you I will certainly be able to point you in the right direction.
Cheers
Phil
My company, RDI, is advertising on PH at present so I hope I am allowed to respond in this way. I am also an academic (ex. Professor) with 20 years experience through to PhD supervision.
RDI is based near Coventry Airport only a few minutes from the University of Warwick, which you mentioned. We have over 20 years of experience in UK University distance learning, worldwide, with three MBA's to offer plus a range of MSc's including an MSc in Management. Distance Learning isn't an easy option but we get good success rates through the support and guidance provided both before enrolling and during your studies.
Our web site is here. Please email me via PH if you want to ask any questions. We could even meet at our offices to discuss the options open to you if you want.
If there is nothing we offer that is appropriate for you I will certainly be able to point you in the right direction.
Cheers
Phil
Edited by PhilCerbera on Saturday 8th November 21:30
I did a full time masters whilst still working 28 hours a week. But it meant working extended shift most weekends, and in the holidays and then driving to London in the early hours of a Monday. Thankfully, the in-class time was confined to 6 hours on a Monday and 6 on a Tuesday and I drove back to work on the Tuesday night.
But remember the time in-class only lasts Oct to mid December and then Jan-April with a bit in May and exams in June so not a full year by far.
Lots of online and distance learning courses these days may take some of the strain.
If you can do it I would try and get it over and done with in a year Full time if you afford/get the time out from work as you'd only be gone from work for 6 months really and could do a bit at Chrimbo and Easter.
It worked so well I carried on for another 2 years to partly complete my PhD. Knackered at the end!
Regarding the above, many organisations no longer support MBAs as to benefit you may well need a strategic management role and there are not so many of those. Therefore, they may see a MSc/MA as more beneficial.
The hardest part of completing a distance learning course (IMO) is time management. I did mine like a project (e.g. as in PRINCE) as it was the only way I thought I could juggle domestics (3 kids), work (60 hours a week) and study. Balancing the 'best' time of day for study is important too.
Also, do you like exams? Choose a course that suits you. If you can chooses a dissertation topic centred around work, that would be good. May also help you get funding.
Good luck, Dave
The hardest part of completing a distance learning course (IMO) is time management. I did mine like a project (e.g. as in PRINCE) as it was the only way I thought I could juggle domestics (3 kids), work (60 hours a week) and study. Balancing the 'best' time of day for study is important too.
Also, do you like exams? Choose a course that suits you. If you can chooses a dissertation topic centred around work, that would be good. May also help you get funding.
Good luck, Dave
As someone who delivers MSc courses in person and by distance learning, I would suggest that you find a course that interests you then email a Module Leader *directly* with questions - don't email the marketing or any other front of house staff.
Whether or not the tutor bothers to reply will tell you everything you need to know.
Whether or not the tutor bothers to reply will tell you everything you need to know.
matt21 said:
anyone else able to offer their pearls of wisdom?
other than contempt for someone who is trying to get a free Masters, personally saving maybe £10k or more, through sponsorship with the intention of making yourself more marketable, i.e. you intend to leave... Both my wife and I did Masters, an MA and MBA respectively and we have furthered our careers relatively easily with the employers that sponsored us. And for the record I own a learning & development budget incl sponsorship of first and second degrees and if there was any hint of your attitude I wouldn't sign it off. Ever.
matt21 said:
Hi folks, not the most interesting of topics but will be useful to me nonetheless.
I graduated in June and have been working for a large multinational company in the Supply Chain since. I asked whether I could do a MBA but was told at this point in time they would not support this, but would support a Masters.
They told me to find a suitable course and justify my reasons for doing it. Truth be told I am doing it to further my knowledge and make myself more marketable in the future, and if someone is willing to pay for it then great.
I am based in the midlands so would like to do a MSc at Warwick Business School. I am still expected to work 5 days a week so would have to be distance learning or evenings and weekends.
Does anyone have any experience or advise they could pass on for worthwhile courses etc.
Many thanks
I would suggest getting a few more years of work experience to get the most out of an MBA.I graduated in June and have been working for a large multinational company in the Supply Chain since. I asked whether I could do a MBA but was told at this point in time they would not support this, but would support a Masters.
They told me to find a suitable course and justify my reasons for doing it. Truth be told I am doing it to further my knowledge and make myself more marketable in the future, and if someone is willing to pay for it then great.
I am based in the midlands so would like to do a MSc at Warwick Business School. I am still expected to work 5 days a week so would have to be distance learning or evenings and weekends.
Does anyone have any experience or advise they could pass on for worthwhile courses etc.
Many thanks
ian in lancs said:
CaptainSlow said:
I would suggest getting a few more years of work experience to get the most out of an MBA.
And a bit more maturityFrom what I can see matt21 is trying to further and better himself which IMHO is a very good thing. From his original post he said he wanted to be more marketable 'in the future' which does not necessarily mean he intends to leave the moment he has his qualification. I don't know how sponsorship of education works but I imagine that the company would want some kind of time commitment after the sponsorship had finished.
The fact that ian of lancs has had a long career with with the same company is wonderful, but may not happen for everyone. There is no such thing as a job for life anymore and no guarantee that you can work your way up through the same company. Opportunities and aspirations change.
Ian, you say that you were sponsored by a company so how can you have 'contempt' for someone trying to do the same !?! Indeed how can you have contempt for anyone who is trying to better themselves.
Throughout my Postgrad education I've funded myself entirely. I've never had sponsorship, a grant or a bursary. I've studied alongside those who did and never once felt contempt for them. I think there is something very wrong if you feel that way.
Matt21, good luck to you.... it'll be tough but hopefully rewarding.
G
I have contempt for people who screw over a company for sponsorship and then leave. There is the option of tie - in clauses but they are not enforceable by law. In contrast with my contempt for folk who deceive employers I am a committed to development. I personally mentor, coach and develop many people who are more honorable often going the extra mile - running professional exam revision sessions in my own time for example.
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