What an eMBA vs MBA On Resume Reflects on Employers

It is a fact that an Executive Masters of Business Administration is not as popular as the other advanced degrees. Many professionals who want to acquire a business degree disregard the EMBA option despite it being a quality choice. On the other hand, MBA happens to be one of the most popular business degrees from the last ten years. The MBA program continues to attract many international students, despite the high and pricey tuition rates. As similar as these two degrees are, an eMBA vs. MBA On resume is perceived to reflect differently. This article is to explore how the eMBA vs MBA On resume reflects on employers, and we would cover the following:

  • MBA and its features
  • EMBA and its features 
  • EMBA vs. MBA: Differences and Similarities
  • EMBA vs. MBA: Which is better?

EMBA vs MBA On Resume

Over the years, the question of what an eMBA vs MBA On Resume reflects on employers has been a controversial one. Due to the competitiveness of the labor market, an MBA degree gives you the edge you need to be competitive and successful in any industry. This is because MBA has gained popularity and general acceptance compared to other business degrees.

People often misconstruct an  Executive Master of Business Administration as a reduced version of the standard MBA. Thus, most people conclude that they reflect differently on the resume. 

Let’s take a moment to define what a resume is, so we can all be on the same page. A resume is a formal document that provides an overview of your professional qualifications, relevant work experience, education, notable accomplishments, as well as soft and hard skills.

Since a resume aims to provide employers with a summary of your relevant qualifications, each qualification reflects differently, depending on what suits your potential employer. Having both on your resume implies that you possess leadership skills, critical thinking, standard communication ability, and excellent business management or relevant field performance, which is exactly what almost all recruiters are out for.

MBA and Its Features

MBA degree and investment management originated in the United States in the early 20th century when the country industrialized and companies sought scientific management. (Wikipedia; MBA). The MBA is a terminal and professional degree. Their programs ensure consistency and quality of education. An MBA degree equips you to develop your core skills. It prepare you for global business, demonstrate your impact and transform your business thinking capability.

Having an MBA degree increases your productivity gains as an individual. You become a better decision-maker, a better innovator, and better at dealing with challenges. Whether the challenge is digital transformation or understanding customer needs, the MBA prepares you. It gives you the business knowledge, confidence, and credibility you need to take the next steps in your career.

Features and Perks of an MBA Degree

No matter your background or the point you are in your career, an MBA is a great choice. An MBA combines management competence, soft skills like intercultural communication, and comprehensive knowledge from core business disciplines. You’ll learn to analyze markets, develop new products, advise customers, lead departments and teams, or strategically position a company.  

The core courses covered in an MBA program deals in the various areas of business administration like accounting, applied statistics, human resources, business communication, business law, managerial economics, entrepreneurship, among others, in a manner most relevant to management analysis and strategy. 

It is a graduate business degree that focuses on technical, leadership, and managerial skills. The degree also teaches students other core business topics like finance, marketing and business operations.

eMBA and Its Features 

An EMBA is also known as an Executive MBA. It is geared toward individuals who are already working and are already established in their field. It focuses on equipping you to be more effective in your current position. The timeline to complete an Executive MBA usually takes longer than the normal MBA. This is because, for an EMBA, you would also be working alongside. Generally, it can take up to two or three years

An EMBA is a two-year program, but it’s aimed at business executives with five years or more of managerial experience. When taking the course, students can keep their full-time jobs and typically attend weekend classes. So, EMBA is a part-time degree for working-class individuals. 

Students who choose an EMBA program often do not have to complete an internship program. This is because their work experience will count towards that requirement. Based on the curriculum and accrediting school, work experience has the potential to count towards credit hours. The most common reason for choosing an EMBA is that students already have an established career. 

Features and Perks of eMBA

The Executive MBA programs consider individuals in corporate positions who needs to acquire an MBA to move up the career ladder. So their organization would pay for the EMBA while the employee continues to work with them. It’s a win-win for the two parties; the employee gets a free education, and the company retains an employee with an additional relevant education background. 

EMBA vs MBA: Differences and Similarities

While both an MBA and  EMBA are both on the same degree level, there are a couple of differences between the two programs. MBAs are the traditional program where students are required to participate full time. On the other hand, the EMBA deviates from the traditional MBA such that students have the flexibility to work and pursue their education. 

EMBA students face faster-paced classes, but they cover the same material. Programs offer fewer electives, and they’re designed so that students take most classes, if not all, with the same classmates.

Most people view Executive MBAs as not as prestigious as their full-time MBA counterparts. However, an advanced degree and the network you’ll build from an elite business school remains equally attractive, whether the degree you complete is an MBA or an Executive MBA. 

An MBA might be suitable if you are not working. This allows you to focus your time and energy on pursuing and finishing a graduate degree. This accomplishment will help you succeed in being an appealing candidate for the job role you want to apply for in the future. 

For many people, the deciding factor between picking a standard, full-time MBA vs a part-time executive MBA (EMBA) comes down to how best to juggle classes with the responsibility of a day job. In addition, many mid-career professionals will choose the executive MBA because they don’t want to or can’t stop working, and the program is better geared towards their life stage.

EMBA vs MBA: What really matters

Perhaps you’ve heard of Executive MBAs but believe they are not as prestigious as their full-time MBA counterparts. It is important to note that both degrees offer the same courses and go through the same training process. As a matter of fact, most employers view them as the same.

What you should be bothered about is the credibility and dependability of the institution that issued the degree certificate. Also, it’s important to weigh the merits of the specific program you are pursuing if prestige and a top-tier ranking are important to your sense of accomplishment or your hope for a sizable return on investment.

An EMBA obtained from a Kellogg, an MIT, a London Business School, or a Wharton EMBA program will be given preference over an MBA from your local state school. Employers value brand names, and they will often pay premiums for their graduates. Plus, they believe your professional reputation and your network would have been strengthened since you graduate from a world-class program and institution known for its selectivity. 

Your school is a brand asset. The brand of the school transfers to your brand and elevates it. Nonetheless, if you gain acceptance to a full-time MBA program, it would be very difficult to pass it up for an executive one. 

While an MBA affords you the chance to boast of your degree in your resume, most people will tell you that the main value of an MBA program comes from the relationships and industry contacts you build while you are there, and not necessarily the extra line on your resume. But top tier school or not, when you transition out of your job post-EMBA, odds are good that you will command a higher salary, and the company will give you more responsibility.

EMBA vs MBA On Resume: Employers Perception

When considering an eMBA vs MBA On Resume, it is important to know that irrespective of which of the two you have on the resume, employers perceive you to possess major business transforming attributes. Some of these are the ability and ambition to shape an organization’s future and possess transformative leadership experience. 

EMBA has a bit of an edge compared to MBA because it implies that you have relevant leadership experience. Remember, part of the requirements for the degree is a minimum of 5 years working experience in a relevant field. This means that Executive MBA programs are generally smaller and open only to experienced professionals. 

So EMBA reflects that you have the transformative leadership experience and managerial ability that most employers look out for in employees. In an Executive MBA program, you are surrounded by professionals who have proven work and leadership experience. Hence, you have a better opportunity to grow your network with like-minded individuals. At an MBA program, you might find yourself with early-career business students.

Which Is Better?

Everybody knows that an executive program is less selective and prestigious than its full-time counterpart. However, you can also consider an MBA to have a great edge over an EMBA, depending on the factors you are considering. eMBA vs MBA On Resume depends on what the employer emphasizes to be superior.  Executive MBA programs normally look at candidates with more than ten years of work experience, extensive career advancement, and managerial experience.

Unlike its EMBA counterpart, MBA is a full-time degree program that is more specific and focused than EMBA. As a result, you get more time for interactions with knowledgeable colleagues and lecturers. However, experts say that EMBA degree holders have to hustle and network harder than full-timers.

It’s important to note that neither an MBA nor an EMBA guarantees job security. However, both should equip a student with skill sets, a valuable business network, and the prestige that comes with a higher degree. The preference ultimately comes down to the student’s flexibility in timing and money.

So we can conclusively say that when it comes to what an eMBA vs MBA On Resume reflects to potential employers, it is relative and dependent on what the employers are looking out for in a candidate. 

Conclusion

Whether you have an eMBA or MBA on your resume, they are both of equal value and quality. It’s important to note that neither an MBA nor an EMBA guarantees job security. An EMBA will reflect substantial and transformative leadership experience. In contrast, MBA will reflect dedicated and standard learning with ample interracial connection. An eMBA vs MBA On Resume will both enhance and increase chances of employability, especially for companies looking for professionals to handle their business.

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