Getting an MBA requires a significant investment of both your time and money. So, it is natural to analyze the added value of an MBA degree in general and specifically for you. The answer to that question will depend on your personal and professional background and, most importantly, on the motivation behind your application and your future career aspirations.
Contingent on what you are looking for, earning an MBA can significantly help you advance your career. If you are looking to work in Japan (Work-Life in Japan in 2021), an MBA degree from a renowned Japanese university is one way to get your foot in the door.
Who can benefit from getting an MBA in Japan in specific?
Why Get an MBA
First, let's look at who is at the right stage of their career to go for an MBA. If you are a fresh grad with a Bachelor's degree and don't have any full-time work experience, getting an MBA is usually not the most suitable alternative. Those with at least a couple of years of entry-level work experience under their belt will be able to earn more out of their MBA coursework.
Most Business Schools require some professional working experience, and some even have a 2+2 system. The main reason for this is that with some real-world experience on the job, you will be able to connect theoretical concepts and what you have previously experienced and actively contribute to class discussion.
Having some professional experience makes it much easier to unpack the new information and frameworks and use them in real-business settings during your studies and after you graduate.
Secondly, in general, MBA students are a bit more thoughtful and bring expertise and a network, benefiting their classmates and creating synergy as a group. MBA students are usually in their late 20s and 30s, and some of them have families. The coursework during an MBA test and pushes students to be creative and to think out-of-the-box. MBAs are exposed to almost endless new information, competing demands, constant challenges, and teamwork with fellow students from different cultural and professional backgrounds.
Aspiring for a career change is another great reason to get MBA. As mentioned before, doing an MBA is quite a transformational experience, one that is designed to push you out of your comfort zone and will prepare you for a managerial role. Hence the interest of many corporations in MBA graduates. So, if you want to make a big career change, a post-MBA might be the perfect time to seek a job outside your previous work experience.
Added Value of an MBA in Japan
Like in any other Business School, getting a high return on your investment mainly depends on your actions during your MBA. So, while obtaining an MBA in Japan can be a more cost-effective way of getting an MBA than going to business school in the US or UK, the ultimate results truly depend on you.
If you choose to do your MBA at Hitotsubashi ICS, there are many options and opportunities to maximize your MBA experience; like internships, exchange programs, double degree programs, independent research, etc. However, in the end, it is up to you to make use of these resources and leverage them to grow and advance your career.
Also, Hitotsubashi ICS is one of Japan's top public universities (currently ranked best MBA in Japan by QS Global MBA Rankings 2022), offering high-quality education for a fraction of the cost.
There are various other reasons to study for your MBA in Tokyo at Hitotsubashi ICS:
- You want to work in Japan: if you have not worked in Japan before, you should consider the 2-year program. So that, during your second year, you can do an internship, build your network, and leverage the personalized career services to find a job in Japan.
- You want to work for a company with interests in Japan: with opportunities to learn the language and courses that specifically teach you about Japanese business culture, you can put yourself way ahead of the competition if you want to work for a company outside of Japan that has ties with Japan in the form of markets, clients, or partners.
- The experience of student life in Tokyo: there are plenty of ways to enjoy life in the world's largest metro area, including cultural experiences, world-class restaurants, and a plethora of entertainment options.
- Small-scale education: with a student-faculty ratio of 3:1, bespoke learning experience and long-lasting relationships are forged during the program. Also, the seminar system provides a space for students to get to know classmates even better, deepen collaborations, and expand their networks.
- Wolrd-class Academic Offering: Hitotsubashi ICS offers numerous programs that add to the transformational MBA learning experience, giving you many chances to enlarge your global professional network. Think about taking one of the Global Network Courses, attending a one-week intensive GNW, doing an internship in Japan, getting a double degree program, Strategy Simulation Week, and more.
A career in Japan after an MBA
With Japan being one of the world's top economies and opportunities for international talent on the rise, and a worker shortage that is only expected to grow further), there are many opportunities to build a career in Japan (Work-Life in Japan in 2021). If you can back up your interest and investment in Japan with an MBA degree from Tokyo, you will increase your chance for success tremendously. Moreover, the Hitotsubashi ICS Career Center has direct connections with dozens of companies that see the great value a Hitotsubashi ICS graduate can offer them.
Graduates have found employment at companies in the following sectors; manufacturing, financial services, marketing/PR, IT, consulting, and consumer goods. MBA graduates have been placed at large companies like Accenture, Apple, Deloitte, Nissan Motors, Unilever, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Zurich Life Japan, among others.
Typical positions include marketing manager, business operation manager, management consultant, finance manager, and financial controller. Alumni also went on to become entrepreneurs, some with business partners that they met through their Hitotsubashi network.
As you see, the added value of an MBA degree from Japan is huge if you are looking to further or change your career, especially if you have a special interest in Japan. It could very well be the ticket that starts you off on a completely new and exciting path in life.
