IESE vs ESADE for tech

Question

Hi.

Hope you and your families are well and doing fine in this chaotic period.

I just got admitted at both IESE and ESADE MBAs. Now it comes the trickiest part: which one should I chose?

A little bit of background on myself: I'm originally from Brazil, lived in Panama for 2 years and currently living in Colombia for the past 1 year. I've been working at a big sports brand in the eCommerce area with Analytics for the past 4 1/2 years and manage most of data automation and analysis for 6 countries in Latin America. My post-MBA goals are to work in the Tech industry and, if possible, with data and analytics. I don't want to be the guy that develops the analysis (I already am this guy), but the manager of those people. My thoughts on this are that someone who has a better knowledge on the business side can have a bigger impact on many areas, analytics included, since he/she knows how business works and what should the priorities be.

Comparing both programs, IESE has a better name in the market, is well known by its business case methodology and to send many people to Consulting and Finance after graduation. However, the last employment reports are showing an increase of people going to Tech afterwards. IESE's program is more focused on general management and and I see few things on tech related, but talking with current students I see a big effort on the Tech club to empower people in this area. On the other hand, ESADE's name is not as strong as IESE's, but is a good school, also focusing on general management approach and sending 33% of its MBAs to tech. It has more options in the tech side, but has fewer optatives and employment reports with lower salaries.

Talking with many people, I see IESE's student profile as more for consulting/finance and ESADE's as more versatile.

What would be your thoughts on this?

Tks for the help.

bb · Answer

Here is an interesting related post: https://gmatclub.com/forum/iese-vs-esade-212224.html The person also started a blog about their time at IESE. Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

aeon86  - what do you think is a good choice here? Obviously you may be biased but still ?

fefinotto · Answer

Tks  bb ! I'll take a look at his website, although I see the background and goals are bit different, but definitely good to understand a bit about the program and the decision path.

aeon86 · Answer

so... sorry for the delay in response, this somewhat fell off my radar. yes i'm a bit biased, not only because i'm attending IESE but also because i'm part of the Tech Club leadership team

if you look for tech, i would probably recommend IESE, if you get offered both. ESADE is a good business school, but the only thing in my opinion they surpass IESE in, would be Entrepreneurship (with their innovation lab). For tech in general, especially companies that are looking to hire MBAs the higher ranking of the school would matter, as well as a good reach-out to companies (which we are planning to expand this year with the tech club team)

bb · Answer

Awesome! Congrats on being a part of the Tech club and part of the lead team as a first year! 
Where are you thinking of recruiting geographically? Do you have a preference?

aeon86 · Answer

Recruiting? Company reach out? Or where I want to work?

Posted from my mobile device

nojudging · Answer

Definitely IESE.
You only go to ESADE if you want Barcelona but could not get into IESE.
They are not comparable schools other than being located in the same city.

IESE vs ESADE for tech

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