It is great that you are thinking about career options before applying.
Your career direction is common for folks with technology background. However, I don't think IB is the only way to be in such positions. The route technology folks usually take is through the E-ship and VC paths.
In order to "find strategic technologies that help company grow". There are at least two critical pieces here: #1 is identify the "right" technology, and #2 is experienced deal makers.
IMO, you should use your enterprise/technology background as an advantage, and go to b-school to fill in the valuation/modeling and deal making skills.
Your questions were great for Berkeley's EWMBA (and most PT programs). Answers for 1 and 2 can be found online:
1. There are ethical considerations for a company-sponsored students to participate in recruiting events. Many schools will address this in their career service policies. Berkeley can be found here:
https://www.haas.berkeley.edu/EWMBA/careers/FAQs.html
2. Most PT programs have policies for acceleration. Acceleration for EWMBA can be found here:
https://ewmba.haas.berkeley.edu/chat_3.htm
3. There are several parts of the question. IMO.
Quote:
How do recruiting companies perceive part-timers versus full-time students?
I do not believe recruiters would look at part-timers and full-timers in such a broad generalized way. The admission for good PT programs such as Berkeley is competitive as well. The acceptance rate may be lower than some FT programs.
Recruiters usually have good ideas on the type of people and experience level they are looking for.
Quote:
If I want to transition into IB for my career path, will it be just as possible for a part-timer as it is for a full-timer?
Age is a big factor as olderguy said. IB recruiters usually look for young and fresh FT folks from top schools. If you are young, the best bet is to go to a top FT school, going to a good PT program would be a possible alternative. If you are older, you may find difficult to compete with younger folks even from a top FT school.
Quote:
I know that a full-time program can only help given my career objectives, what do you think?
FT program would be important, but age is also an important factor.
If you are interested in Haas EWMBA, there is a great online forum at chatuniversity, where admission officers and current students will answer questions. Just google chatuniversity and Berkeley EWMBA.
My $0.02.