Top reasons to pursue a Smurfit MBA

IMAGE Media has been partnering with UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School for the last 14 years to offer one female candidate a 100 per cent scholarship to join the full-time MBA or part-time Executive MBA, and the success of those that have undertaken this programme has been clear.

“In Ireland and around the world, the UCD Smurfit School brand, student quality and global experience is a seal of approval with employers,” said Mark Davies, the Careers Manager for UCD Smurfit School’s MBA programmes. “Our candidates are highly ambitious working professionals who want to advance or change their career.”

Achieving Goals

Within three months of graduating, the full-time MBA class of 2020 saw a 77% average increase in salary and 100 per cent were employed within five months of graduation. UCD Smurfit School’s 2019 Executive MBA class saw 80 per cent of students promoted within 12 months of graduation.

With over a decade of experience at the world’s leading business schools, Mark meets with MBA students on an individual basis to discuss career strategy, job applications and interview preparation. In addition, Mark is in constant communication with domestic and international employers to monitor up-to-date job trends and upcoming opportunities. 

“While securing a new role is often front of mind with prospective students, alumni comment frequently on how the MBA makes you more effective in your next job,” continued Mark.

“The three key reasons for this are, first, direct application of academic knowledge gained through intensive learning. Students are forced to learn a lot about themselves and business in a condensed time of just 1-2 years, rather than over an extended period of normal working conditions. Next, students are better able to understand, communicate with and collaborate across businesses. Finally, in classmates, students have a wide network of experts to call on for help for the rest of their career.” 

International Exposure

The international exposure afforded through the globally ranked UCD Smurfit School MBA provides an unequalled opportunity to unlock and develop leadership potential, accelerate a career and build global networks. As government health and safety guidelines permit, students avail of international study trips, international consulting projects and GNAM immersion weeks. 

To help prepare students for both the domestic and global jobs market, MBA participants have access to a dedicated Careers Team who are focused on helping students develop the necessary skills for career advancement, including networking with UCD Smurfit School’s long-established industry partners and 95,000+ strong alumni network worldwide.  

“Our relatively small MBA classes create life-long bonds and our large alumni network opens doors at companies in Ireland and beyond,” commented Mark. 

Class Diversity

UCD Smurfit School’s new Modular Executive MBA programme is an additional offering designed specifically for those with busy professional and personal schedules, including candidates working overseas who, after the pandemic, may regularly travel to Ireland. This diversity of applicants enhances students’ exposure to real-time, business insights from around the globe. 

In addition to welcoming candidates from various geographic locations, the School is also making strides in ensuring balanced gender representation on the MBA. Worldwide, the annual average for enrolment in top-ranked MBA programmes is around 35 per cent for women. 

UCD Smurfit School assessed the key reasons why women choose not to undertake an MBA and found that lack of flexibility, lack of confidence and cost were major factors in their choice. 

The new Modular Executive MBA offers a flexible, learning schedule and with key supports in place such as dedicated Career Services, mentoring programmes and student-led initiatives that promote gender equality, the School is working to enhance confidence among candidates. 

Cost is also an important and key consideration when undertaking an MBA. For that reason, UCD Smurfit School is happy to continue their partnership with Image Magazine in offering one female candidate a 100 per cent scholarship to join the full-time MBA, the Executive MBA or the Modular Executive MBA in August 2021. 

There is no separate application process for this scholarship and all successful applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered. Applications close on June 1, 2021.

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Learn more about UCD Smurfit School MBA Programmes here and view recording of past events here.