Question

Topic: Student Questions

Post Marketing Mba: Skills/certificates?

Posted by jyoon1501 on 7/9/2009 at 2:26 AM ET 50 Points
Hello, I recently graduated from an MBA program with an MBA/Strategy concentration and will be working full time in the services industry. But I feel like I have a lot to learn and don't feel overly comfortable with where I am in my development.

I was considering enrolling in a part-time distance education program and was wondering if I could get advice on what program I should be look into. I was thinking "statistics", since I'm not a numbers person and feel that this would be a great skill to develop, but my gut tells me that most marketers only need basic statistical ability. I was also thinking of "project management."

Any suggestions on either of the two or can anyone recommend some other kind of program? I am looking for a program that will provide me with very hands-on skills that I can apply to my job. I've had a lot of the training on the academic side. Now I just want something that's purely applied technical training. I would greatly appreciate any help or response. Thanks!
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  • Posted by jyoon1501 on 7/13/2009 at 4:04 PM Author
    Thank you for your response. I will definitely check in with career counsellors, but to clarify my original question, I would only be pursuing this certification as a skills enhancement. I already have a degree in marketing and the MBA to enhance my business skills, but I want to go an extra step. I don't want to pursue a PhD because I don't want to go to school full time. I'm only looking for a program where I could maybe take 1 class per quarter. I've identified a few statistics and project management certification programs that I think look very intriguing. My fear in approaching some of these programs is that they'll be more interested in hard-selling me on their program rather than telling me what's in my best career interest. Not to mention that these people aren't marketers, so they may not necessarily be best equipped to answer the question.

    I was hoping to get an unbiased sense from some people here as to which program makes more sense. Maybe I should pose the question this way... given everyone's marketing background in a professional setting, which skill set do you wish you had better developed to make you more successful on the job? Statistical analysis or Project management?
  • Posted by Gary Bloomer on 7/13/2009 at 6:32 PM Accepted
    Dear jyoon1501,

    My opinion is to stop fretting about your qualifications and get out into the world and show your worth, value, and skills.

    There's only one customer buying your education right now and that's you. Get out of your own way and make yourself useful to your employer for six months or a year and then regroup.

    I hope this helps.

    Gary Bloomer
    Wilmington, DE, USA
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