19/11/2024
Are you the right fit for an online master's degree?
Who needs an online business degree, really? Well, to help answer the question, we’ve narrowed the selection down to five profiles who are perfect for digital studies. So, no more asking “is an online business degree right for me?” Let’s dive in.
International students with home preferences
You don’t need to move home to study at a prestigious school. Whatever your motivation, you can easily complete online business degrees with all your creature comforts at hand. Our most recent intake for the Global International MBA represented over 30 different countries. This statistic enhances our course, with graduate Temitope Ayo-Adedeji noting: “Everyone always has an interesting story to tell… We met quite often online in groups, one-on-one sessions over what we called “coffee breaks” and also in person during our face-to-face sessions… IE provides a level playing field where everybody feels very welcome.” International students thus benefit twofold; minimum compromise on lifestyle whilst engaging with an enriching learning environment—all while accessing a prestigious institution at a distance.
Parents, guardians or carers
Online learning has become a perfect fit for family-orientated individuals who can’t fit traditional degrees into their lifestyle. Whether it’s the difficulty of attending classes or the strain of unpredictable shedules, an online study routine can be the perfect option for parents who need flexibility. We must caveat this with an important point: many degrees, including our Global Online MBA, require serious investment of time and effort. Only those who can compromise these elements will succeed. However, if you’re able to, you may ffind it’s one of the most fulfilling experiences you can undertake. According to a recent interview by the BBC, “It’s really hard being a mum. But when you’re younger, it’s especially hard if you want to carry on studying and don’t want to stop your life entirely.” Online courses for parents provide a timely solution to this problem.
Professionals with special mobility needs
At IE Business School, one of our core values is supporting diversity in all its forms. We believe everyone deserves an elite education if they’re willing to work for it; that’s exemplified by the existence of the IE Foundation. For those with special mobility needs, an online business degree can be a career boost where a presential MBA isn’t feasible. In the European Union, it’s reported that only 29.4% of persons with disabilities earn a tertiary degree. However, according to the U.S. Census’ American Community Survey, around 6.7 million people reporting a disability held a title in higher education in 2019, which is a rise of 13% from 2010. We believe online master’s degrees can help continue this trend.
Career professionals who need to keep working
Are you a career professional who can’t take time off for an in-person MBA? An online business degree could be for you. Our Global Online MBA’s schedule is more flexible than its presential counterpart—you can complete coursework in your own time and focus on office work when required. Take our graduate Taylee Lewis, for example. Taylee enrolled with eight years’ experience working in corporate consulting for various multinationals and SMEs. Her career progress didn’t stop during her studies: “Yes, I do currently hold two positions,” she told us back in 2021. “I lead projects for both an Australian and an Italian firm specialized in corporate and public affairs and internationalization strategy… My advice is to prioritize tasks and responsibilities, as well as plan in advance.”
Success stories and advice from Global Online MBA graduate Taylee Lewis
When asked to define the Global Online MBA in one word, Taylee Lewis said “transformative”. Taylee’s goals were initially two-fold when she began studying with us; due to her international relations background, she wanted to expand her management knowledge while also growing her leadership skills. When asked about her choice of course, she responded: “The fact that IE Business School is a top-ranked business school was important to me. However, what most attracted me to the Global Online MBA was the diversity of the cohort.”
“Diversity pushes the limits of our intellectual flexibility; this is essential for managers wanting to succeed in today’s international business environment.”
We purposely arrange a cohort of students whose knowledge reaches across various sectors and cultures. Taylee was enthused by the format of the program due to its blended learning format, whereby online education means people from all over the world can study together. The added challenge of this means that participants become more disciplined and improve their communication skills. As Taylee noted, “You need to motivate and push yourself to a much larger extent than in a face-to-face environment.”
Almost immediately after graduating from IE Business School, Taylee was named President of the Australia Italy Business Association. She has held the Milan-based position for two years, proving her previous insights true: “I can confidently say that the knowledge and skills you acquire during the Global Online MBA can be put to use immediately”. For those looking to follow in Taylee’s footsteps, she has some sage words of advice: “Go outside your comfort zone, try new things. The Global Online MBA is what you make of it. It’s going to open a lot of doors but you do need to put the work in, be committed and take risks.”
Study the Global Online MBA at IE Business School
Our program is suitable for all types of profiles and is always seeking a dynamic and diverse intake. We’re proud to have graduates of over 27 different nationalities, showing the international appeal of our cohort. Still wondering “is an online business degree right for me?” Look through our programs and see what’s on offer.
