I’ve been thinking about getting an MBA on and off for a few years and at this point (I am 35 years old with 2 kids), I feel like it’s now or never!
I am from Germany and my background is in Travel & Tourism, where I have a BA with great grades from a UK university. I’ve been working in the field for 10+ years now and can show clear career progression – from an entry level job in travel planning to Head of PR at a national tourist board in NYC (where I lived for 6 years). Since then and while starting a family I’ve been working closely with the CEO of a global travel startup and have been project managing a worldwide competition for social entrepreneurship in travel.
With my kids now 1 and 4, I want to kickstart my career again with the goal of reaching a leadership position in the next 2-5 years.
While my background is mostly in marketing and PR, looking at the electives at different schools, I am very interested in learning more about sustainable business and tackling current issues. I could see myself staying in travel or moving into sustainable consumer products or women’s health with a top MBA under my belt to make that career switch viable.
Given my age and family situation, I want to get into a top MBA and am leaning towards a 1-year program in Europe but would love to hear if people think a degree from Oxford, Cambridge or INSEAD is as reputable as an Ivy League MBA from the US. (My husband being from the US, we plan to move there again in the medium-term). Finally, what would be my chances of securing a scholarship, which would make a 2-year program more feasible?
(I have not taken the GMAT/GRE yet but generally prepare and test well.)
Thanks so much in advance for everyone’s input! I’ve been enjoying the podcast and webinars and am excited to hear people think about my chances of getting into a top school.