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Program Spotlight: IE Business School

IE Business School, one of 6 colleges at IE University in Madrid, Spain, is ranked as one of the world’s top business schools. Offering a variety of renowned graduate programs, IE’s Business School awards degrees across business disciplines, including their wildly successful International and Global MBA programs.

A truly global college, IE Business School has 27 international offices, as well as partnerships with over 100 universities worldwide. With a student-centric focus, IE Business School provides a world-class education while providing a strong sense of inclusion and community.

Read our discussion with Jessica Yevics, International Development Manager for IE Business School, to learn more about IE’s International and Global MBA programs on Gradschoolmatch.com.

GSM: Describe your role, and how IE actively recruits throughout the US.

Jessica: As part of IE’s International Development team here in North America, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, our main objective is to assist the Admissions Department in Madrid by actively recruiting the top talent for our different Masters programs. We also provide local support and guidance to our applicants, students and Alumni throughout the region. Our three regional offices located in New York, Miami and Los Angeles are part of a worldwide network of 27 offices, which together help to recruit and select the best students across the globe and ultimately create a truly international institution.

To recruit the best prospective students for IE, we use various channels, including local fairs and events, virtual sessions, webinars and partnerships and activities with top US Companies and Universities.

GSM: How useful is Gradschoolmatch to you and your programs as a recruiting tool?

Jessica: While we have only joined Gradschoolmatch this past year, it has been proving to be a useful tool for us to connect with prospective students and guide them throughout the information gathering phase of their graduate school search. We have received many inquiries from qualified candidates since we have started using the platform, and we hope that it will become even more useful for prospective students to learn about IE and for our team to identify top candidates.

GSM: What makes the International MBA Program at IE unique?

Jessica: The diversity of the students and optimization of the accelerated program are two of the most defining characteristics of the International MBA program. The program is made up of roughly 90% international students during any given intake, and these individuals not only come from different geographical locations, but also represent many different sectors, academic backgrounds, and functional roles. We believe that this dynamic simulates a real world international workplace which helps our students to prepare themselves for an international career, whether in a large multinational corporation, a local company looking to expand, or their own entrepreneurial endeavour.

The personalization of the program is something that really shows IE’s dedication to creating a one-of-a-kind experience for each student. It is the only program of its kind that allows students to choose so many options during an accelerated one-year program. Our students can dedicate their time working on their business plan in the Venture Lab, participate in a social impact project, intern with a top company, study abroad, or take advantage of a wide variety of electives.

The latest class of IE's International MBA program — The latest class of IE’s International MBA program

GSM: In your opinion, why was the Global MBA voted the #1 online MBA program in the world?

Jessica: IE’s Global MBA program has always been at the forefront of online learning. There are many things that set it apart from other similar programs, including the dynamic and accelerated format. Students complete the program in just 15 months, and are completely immersed in the learning experience throughout the entire duration of the program through on-going discussion, collaborative projects and group work, as well as the interactive virtual class sessions and face-to-face periods in Madrid.

The flexibility of the program is also a large draw to this program. While students are engaged on a daily basis throughout the course of the program, they can do so from anywhere in the world, making the program an ideal option for working professionals. The program provides students with a truly global vision of business, preparing them for situations they may encounter in their current and future roles.

GSM: Aside from the well-known MBA and Management programs, what other Master’s programs does IE offer for young professionals looking to advance their career in a specific area?

Jessica: IE has a variety of specialized master’s programs that will help students get the knowledge and industry specific training to start or advance a career in an up and coming field. As an innovative institution that always reflects on market, industry and student needs, we offer programs such as the Master in Business Analytics and Big Data, Master in Market Research and Consumer Behavior, Master in Digital and Visual Media, Master in Corporate Communication, Master in International Relations and Master in Finance. All of these programs take a practical approach into the classroom and the students learn the ins and outs of the field by working with top companies and professors.

GSM: What makes Madrid a great place to live, work, and study?

Jessica: Madrid is the ideal location for pursuing a graduate degree in Europe. It is the epicentre of culture, business and politics in Spain and home to the country’s largest stock exchange, as well as some of the most important national and international companies. Madrid offers the perfect opportunity to study and conduct international business.

As all of our Alumni can proudly tell you, this city also has a lot to offer on a social and cultural level. Madrid is home to three world famous art museums, and numerous smaller museums and galleries. Just a stroll through the city can become a lesson in Spanish Architecture by admiring the buildings, statues and plazas. Because of the excellent climate, you’ll find that people spend most of their time outside, where you can often find them socializing or even conducting business at one of the countless terrazas (outdoor cafés).

As a former expat living in Spain, I can honestly say that the country offers something for everyone and IE gives students the perfect opportunity to study at a world renowned institution with the colorful backdrop of this vibrant city.

To see a snapshot of life at IE Business School, check out the video below.

Interested in graduate school at IE? Bookmark their Global MBA and International MBA programs on Gradschoolmatch.com

For more information on IE Business School, visit their website here.

You can also connect with IE Business School on social media via their Facebook and Twitter pages.

How Valuable is Work Experience Before Grad School?

As we showed in a recent article, only 16% of graduate students immediately continue their education by enrolling in an advanced degree program straight out of their baccalaueate. Why do recent graduates shy away from a graduate education and go to work right out of school?

Many recent bachelor’s earners simply need a breather after four years of undergraduate work. Others are unsure of what path they want to take in graduate school, and aren’t willing to front the costs until more certain. A great reason for recent undergrads to delay an advanced degree is the desire to gain work experience due to the many personal and financial benefits that often result.

While work experience is not always required to apply to or succeed in postgraduate education, prospective students often underestimate how important it is when competing for increasingly more coveted seats in graduate school.

Why Does Work Experience Before Grad School Matter?

While not all master’s programs require work experience in order to be considered, it often gives candidates applying to competitive programs a serious edge.

For example, if you plan on getting your MBA, you can bank on needing work experience prior to applying. While most full-time programs prefer candidates to come in with 1-2 years of experience, students entering top-tier business schools have on average at least 3 years of work experience. At the Wharton School of Business, whose MBA program is ranked 3rd in the nation, students enter the program with a whopping 5-6 years of prior work experience.

In MBA programs, as well as many other master’s and Ph.D. programs, work experience is a differentiating factor in the admissions process. Program admissions directors use work experiences as a way to measure an applicant’s motivation for the field of study, and ensure they aren’t someone just experimenting with an idea that seems interesting.

Savvy applicants understand that program recruiters are looking for highly qualified candidates with work experience that sets them apart from the pack. Relevant work experience is also valuable to graduate programs because it adds depth and enriches the learning environment; if you don’t have any, you’re at a disadvantage because you are competing with peers who are more attractive in the admissions race.

Take it from Robert Farrington, a renowned expert on personal finance and college. His advice?

“Getting an MBA [is about] combining the degree with work experience. That’s what makes it extremely valuable. When I went to grad school, I was the youngest in my class. While this was amazing from a networking and learning perspective, I couldn’t contribute as much as others.”

Make It Count- Personal and Financial Benefits to Working Before Graduate School

It’s no secret that graduate school can be expensive. For an average 1-2 year master’s program, you’re looking to get set back between $30-40k.

Additionally, time in grad school is opportunity cost to earn a salary. In order to be able to more comfortably pay for a graduate education when the time is right, consider working for a few years to financially support yourself when you won’t have a steady income as a student.

After working and gaining experience, you’ll also be in a better position to compete for scholarships when you do apply for graduate programs.

Don’t forget- many employers will pay for a master’s degree after a certain amount of time spent with the company, especially if more schooling beefs up a skillset that will make you a better asset to the company. While you might be itching to stay in school and get your master’s, consider how great it would be to have it completely paid for by your employer just a few years down the road.

The Bottom Line of Gaining Work Experience Before Grad School

While you might not take your dream job directly following undergrad, working for a few years, being accepted to a stronger graduate program, and excelling in your graduate education can lead to more lucrative job opportunities down the road.

Remember, those who possess a master’s degree are likely to earn much more income in their lifetime than their bachelor’s degree counterparts…and those with doctorates even more. Think about what you can do with a bit of work experience and admission into a top-tier graduate program because of it!

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The Top 5 Reasons You Should Go to Graduate School

As costs of higher education continue to rise, countless articles and opinions have surfaced discouraging the pursuit of additional degrees.

While graduate school isn’t right for everyone, there are many tangible benefits to earning a higher degree that can often outweigh associated negatives.

Making a personal and financial investment in graduate school can yield significant returns for your career and your future.

Here are our top 5 reasons to go to graduate school:

1. Graduate school provides opportunities for highly increased lifetime financial earnings and more career advancement.

In most professions, possessing a graduate degree allows for significantly higher earnings than just having a bachelor’s. In fields ranging from web design to finance, having a master’s degree can bump up salary growth from between 17-20% per year.

In some fields, those who hold a master’s degree reap even more benefit; biology and life science master’s students earn 70% more in those disciplines than those with bachelor’s degrees in the same field.

Many fields now require you to obtain a master’s degree; if not, a master’s is often highly encouraged. For example, while social work graduates with a bachelor’s degree are sometimes able to find employment, most government agencies and positions in clinical social work require a master’s degree to advance.

Even if your chosen field doesn’t require a master’s degree, the increased potential for lifetime earnings is a major incentive to pursue further education. Those holding master’s degrees will typically earn about $400,000 more than their bachelor’s degree counterparts over their lifespan.

2. Getting a graduate degree allows you to change career paths.

After a few years in the working world, many people realize that they have selected the wrong path and want to pursue a new career.

Graduate school is a great way to get the education necessary to switch career paths and gain experience in a field unrelated to your time as an undergrad.

MBAs are a particularly useful degree for those seeking to change career paths. An MBA offers students the ability to initially take a variety of courses in business before choosing a 2nd year specialization, as well as the chance to intern after the first year to gain experience and insight into their desired career path.

3. Graduate students can often receive a stipend in addition to a free education through teaching and assistantship positions.

Graduate school is expensive, but there are a lot of options to lessen the cost while still pursuing your goals and gaining valuable experience in your field.

Assistantships are programs that provide funding to students for their graduate program, while also having them work for their university in some capacity. Some assistantships even pay students on top of the cost of tuition.

Fellowships are another channel to pursue; there are a wide variety of graduate fellowships available in a multitude of disciplines that typically cover all costs associated with graduate school, ranging from tuition to housing.

4. Graduate school provides the chance to become a subject-matter expert in your chosen field.

A lot of bachelor’s degrees are very generalized; while undergraduate majors like marketing are broad and provide a solid overview of the field, a more specialized master’s degree makes you a marketable candidate with a more targeted skill set.

Gradschoolmatch has thousands of specialized graduate and doctoral programs to get connected with; you might even find speciality areas in your field or a related field that you’ve never even heard of that interests you.

5. Graduate school allows you to utilize the networks of both your professors and your peers.

When you go to graduate school, you have the opportunity to tap into the network of your professors. Whether it’s writing a letter of recommendation for a position, personally referring you to a doctorate program, or reaching out to their colleagues in industry on your behalf, your graduate school professors are a wealth of knowledge and resources.

Your peers are also a fantastic networking tool. If you have classmates that have previously been in industry, use them to learn more about job application processes and utilize their network to get introductions.

Get to know your classmates and stay in close contact after graduation; there’s a good chance one of them can use their network to help you land a job or introduce you to the right people at some point in your career.

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