Alumni

There are two main reasons for going to b-school, to career switch and gain a network. In business, your network is one of the most important things you have. It is especially pertinent when searching for a job before you graduate. The alumni network gives you instant credibility and access to a host of professionals all over the world in all kinds of companies and roles.

In my case, when I got an acceptance letter to the MBA program, I read in a pamphlet about an alum who did a MBA Leadership Development Program at Bank of America. I looked him up on LinkedIn and chatted with him about the details of the LDP and how ASU prepared him. That was a huge influence on me deciding to attend ASU. I met another alum at an information session of BofA, who was invaluable in providing a referral, interview tips and even ended up being one of my first official recruitment interviews! Through that I was able to land an offer and had a wonderful experience in the Leadership Development Program

Concentrations

One of the great advantages of the program is your ability to have a concentration in a function of your choice. You can choose from one of the following:

• Analytics

• Entrepreneurship

• Finance

• Health Care Management

• Information Management

• Marketing

• Sports Business

• Supply Chain Management

Evening Program

The Evening Program or Professional Flex provides a different platform for professionals at different stages and that have different career goals. Typically, most people don’t switch careers from this type of program as they stay with their current employer and don’t do an internship. The academic schedule is set around work hours so that you can remain gainfully employed. In my case it was twice a week from 6-10pm, with some all day Saturday courses.

My experience was a little different than most. When I was turned down for the Full-time program, but accepted to the Evening Program, I wasn’t sure what to do at first. But after so research and speaking with an alum of the Evening Program, I discovered some advantages. Most of these are not available in other evening MBA programs.

First, employers didn’t distinguish between the Full-time and Evening Programs. Both platforms had access to the alumni network and employer recruiting events.

Second, the same professors that taught day-time also taught evening and the course curriculum was virtually identical. As a bonus, I since I had a flexible work schedule, I was able to take day-time classes and network with the Full-time students.

Third, the Evening Program had the same access to the Career Management Center as the Full-time, with all the personalized coaching, training and corporate connections you could need.

Fourth, the Alumni network is open to all graduates, regardless of platform.

Fifth, the tuition was less expensive than the Full-time program.

Sixth, the Evening courses took the same two year time frame as the Full-time.

I was even able to take a sabbatical from my job during school and do an internship with Bank of America, which helped me land a full-time offer. I could keep going, but I think you get the picture. I had to work at it, but I believe I took real advantage of the Evening Program and didn’t feel like my opportunities were limited.