Diverse MBA Cohort Hope To Kick-Start Careers At AGSM

AGSM has cemented its place as one of the world's most diverse business schools with the arrival of their new 2014 MBA cohort. 

 

Students from more than 20 different countries arrived at the Australian-based university this month, eager to enhance their MBA Job prospects. 

 

Diversity and international exposure are key components of any MBA program, and AGSM's class, of which 30 per cent are female, is a prime example of the modern-age business school.

 

70 new students from the USA, Peru, Singapore, Indonesia, Italy, Germany, Russia and one student from the Kingdom of Bhutan make up the new class at what is Australia's highest MBA Ranking b-school. 

 

The group is made up from a range of backgrounds including science, finance, engineering, manufacturing and telecommunications, and they will benefit from an alumni network of more than 13,000 executives. 

 

There has been a huge trend in MBA students migrating to the Asia-Pacific region in search of new career opportunities. 

 

A recent study by QS Top MBA revealed that Australian MBA graduates are the best paid in the world, earning an average of $133,100, above both the US and UK, despite their reputations in the education world.

 

The study also found that employers hired 8 per cent more MBAs in the Asia-Pacific region in 2013.

 

Academic Director of the MBA program, Professor Mark Stewart, was impressed by the caliber of students who were attracted to AGSM this year.

 

"In the last 12 months, the recruitment team and I have traveled to the four corners of the globe to find the best MBA candidates for our program," he said.

 

"We spent a great deal of time assessing the attributes of the individuals who applied but also, because they will undertake their MBA journey together, we gave consideration to the composition and diversity of the broader cohort.

 

“There’s no doubt that the new group can expect a transformational experience that will stand them in good stead to tackle the big business issues facing global markets.”

 

For Virginia Kane, a current MBA student at AGSM, the career opportunities were paramount in her decision to move from the the US back to Sydney. "Building new relationships will create opportunities for our cohort both domestically and globally," she said. 

 

"I'm confident that this program will open many doors and position us to successfully face the challenge of the career double - or even triple - jumps many of us are working towards."

 

A diverse cohort is also an important consideration for MBA students at AGSM, as Sanjit Kewalramani agrees. "Exposure not only helps in your overall personal growth but also helps honing interpersonal skills," he said.

 

"Interaction with individuals from various backgrounds helps the development of a deeper understanding in their respective field of expertise."

 

Sanjit moved from India to Australia and thinks an MBA at AGSM will help him kick-start an entrepreneurial venture. "Certain networking platforms at AGSM, like the Innovation, Commercialisation & Entrepreneurship (ICE) Club, will help increase the rate of success of our future ventures," he said. 

 

"Networking sessions with alumni and peers will also be essential."

 

 

AGSM also welcomed 19 exchange students to campus this month. MBAs from Chicago Booth, London Business School, Stern, McCombs, Rotman, Wharton, Kellogg and ESADE have joined the Sydney b-school - from countries as diverse as Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile, Canada and Israel.

 

AGSM are also reviewing their full-time MBA this year - the most substantial review since the MBA program was launched in 1977 - to ensure standards are maintained. 

 

Professor Mark added: “The incoming students will immediately benefit from the fresh ways we are looking at the program content and delivery and we hope their experiences here will stay with them throughout their careers.”