Top 5 Signs that it's the Right Time to Pursue an EMBA

A professional career spans typically around 35-40 years. That’s a long time. So at various points you’ve likely pondered when you should invest in yourself and perhaps pursue an EMBA. But, what is the right time and how to choose the right program? If you find yourself in this kind of deliberation, here are 5 signs it’s the right time to pursue an EMBA as well as different program options, to find the best fit.

1. Things are changing:

Maybe you’re in an industry or company where things are changing quickly, whether that means new technologies or new approaches to doing business and you need to develop new skills. An ESSEC EMBA helps you broaden your strategic, analytical and leadership capacities, all within a structured environment.

2. Things are the same:

Conversely, maybe in your current position, you feel you’ve maxed out how much you can learn, grow, or evolve, and you’re looking for a way to prepare for a future career move. By choosing the ESSEC EMBA program, you’ll gain a competitive edge in today’s market for leadership.

3. Your company supports you:

If you’re fortunate to work in an environment with incentives or support for continuing your education and pursuing an Executive MBA, the timing may be right to explore your options and find a good fit for your role and your goals. In the latest EMBA class, 1 out of 2 EMBA students receive 20% to 100% of funding from their company, but perhaps even more valuable—to both you and your company—is the time to pursue the EMBA.

4. You company doesn't support you:

Alternatively, you may feel limited in your current position and unsupported in your desires for growth and change. If so, pursuing ESSEC’s EMBA surrounded by other students, ESSEC professors and staff is the push you need in finding and excelling in your next role. Keep in mind that 3 out of 4 participants follow their own personal initiative, financing their ESSEC tuition, without full company support.

5. You’re at your career mid-point:

After roughly 10-20 years into your career following university, perhaps you are looking to invest in your future for the next 20 years. An EMBA broadens your perspective through international exposure and opportunities; and it can also develop and sharpen your leadership skills for a position with more responsibility.

If any or several of the above signs seem to match your current situation, how do you go about choosing the right EMBA program for you? Depending on your level of professional experience and your particular goals, you may opt for the ESSEC Weekend Executive MBA or the modular ESSEC & Mannheim Executive MBA.

The ESSEC EMBA is an 18-month program designed in a weekend format for working professionals with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, featuring courses in general management and opportunities for an entrepreneurial project. It can provide a boost for candidates looking to learn new skills, launch a business or to grow as a leader, at any point in their career. Take this 2021 EMBA alumna, for example, who started the program 20 years into her professional trajectory.

For more senior executives, the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA is a leadership-focussed program, also delivered within 18 months focusing on strategy, leadership development and governance. Its modular format, with one week of classes every 6 weeks, is perfect for professionals who have full support from their companies. International residency opportunities enhance the global experience for participants. Ranked among the top EMBA programs by QS around the world, this program helps hone responsible leadership skills. For a first-person take on a mid-career transformation for leaders, read this interview with a recent graduate of the program.

Both programs boast diverse cohorts and massive global alumni networks, not to mention top-quality courses and instructors to help fast-track your career. Still not sure if it's the right time for an EMBA? For more information on the ESSEC EMBA, watch this video, and for more information on the ESSEC & Mannheim EMBA, tune into this one. Your career boost awaits.