LanaFirefox wrote:
So here goes my story:
I am in business development now in an advertising agency, have a communication/marketing background, want to broaden my profile and get eventually to general management through the path of business development just in a bigger, more international company preferably in sports industry (can be retail, can be events management or other part of the industry) or luxury where my marketing background would be an advantage. I will in both cases anyway need to fight hard for jobs as it is not a mainstream MBA goal, but these companies still tend to ask for and recruit MBAs.
I just turned 32 so to get out of the school faster would be an advantage. On the other hand taking a year or 1,5 years off is better to get the most out of it and that speaks for a longer program (LBS). But maybe that is just my impression and 10 months + internship is enough?
My weakness is finance (or not much experience in this field), I think that longer time for mastering business fundamentals + LBS strong finance reputation will help my CV in the long term.
I don't have any huge love for London so I can't say LBS motivates me location wise, I can imagine myself working in France easier, but my aim is international career and mobility possibilities within it so the starting place doesn't matter so much - it is more the company and the career that plays the biggest role. So one point goes for INSEAD on this one -diversity and int. network.
Also INSEAD and Singapore campus allows to have a least a look at the Asian market that definitely interests me, but not sure 4 months in this campus is enough to make any lasting impressions or connections.
Cost wise - LBS is more expensive reg. tuition AND it lasts longer AND London is just generally more expensive than Fontainebleu and even Singapore so the main question remains - is longer program really giving more?
In non traditional MBA fields LBS is more recognized, but that is subjective impression I have.
I have a feeling that with my profile (non consultant or finance that just wants to continue where she/he was in a higher level) the answer should still be LBS, but not taken the final decision yet.
maybe LBS is a better choice for you then, seems like you might want more time to explore and figure what you really want after MBA. One year in INSEAD is kind of short, you really have to know what you really want going into the program. Just my thoughts.
Btw, you're from US? so Carol has already started calling people this morning? I am getting extremely nervous....