Joel Martin aspires to be a lifelong learner. He started his executive education at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business because he wanted to improve his public speaking ability, and also to take advantage of the education reimbursement offered by his company.
“I've had the opportunity to work for some really great companies and been exposed to really great training. But if it's within the walls of your company… it's not quite the same. So I was very interested in seeking out more of an academic learning style,” Martin says.
“I had a good colleague, a co-worker of mine, who has been just really committed to doing a continuing education every year… and he really, really pushed me and encouraged me to continue on that journey.”
As future students begin their executive education journey and start their executive courses, there are certain tips that they should keep in mind that former students and administrators are able to impart.
Search for resources and consider what format of classes best suits you
Martin, for example, recommends looking into what resources are offered by students’ companies, like education reimbursement, that could make the option to take an executive course more appealing.
Students should also consider whether they would rather take classes remotely or in person, and should look into resources that are near to them.
“I would say if there's no question that having an in-person, on-campus experience is still the absolutely most engaging experience, the best way to really network and connect with other learners as well,” says Peter Hirst, senior associate dean of executive education at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
“But I'd also suggest that people you know consider what online options might be available as well… I would certainly encourage people to see if they can try out what that experience would be like while they're making their decision about what form is going to be best for them, but also accessible for them.”
Martin recommends sticking with the same institution for multiple executive courses, which can save time and energy and keep students focused.
It’s also important for potential students to plan their courses, consider what benefits themselves and their company, and to understand their own goals and what they want to get out of the experience.
“[One] thing that I found really successful was that I focused my course selection on one or two things, something that was going to either help me in my current job or help position me for the next job. I think having a mix is helpful,” says Martin.
Hirst suggests being honest about what your goals are, whether it is to position oneself for a promotion, preparing for a new role, trying to grow into senior roles, or learning new skills that will be useful in the future.
“I would encourage people to be asking themselves each of those [kind of] questions and trying to find something which really is going to be useful for them in the near future, but also is helping them develop knowledge or skills that their career so far has not given them: a hands on opportunity to learn,” he says.
Carole Low also completed her executive education at Berkeley, and found that being honest with herself about her goals was key to benefitting from the courses.
“It’s really important to know yourself, be self aware, know where you like to go, or where you think you'd like to go, and to explore those courses that allow you to do that,” Low says.
Be realistic about the time commitment
Students need to make sure they make space for executive education within their life, and also make sure not to underestimate the potential time commitment.
Martin found that his courses took up more of his time than he’d expected, and was able to work with his company to integrate the time requirement into his work requirements.
“I did have good support. I worked with my management team to let them know, ‘Hey, I'm going to be taking this,’ so if I'm late on a deliverable, or if I can ask out of some things… I think that's important,” he states.
As for Hirst, he believes the students who have benefited the most from the program are ones who have been able to trust their colleagues and delegate work.
“They're not having to keep looking at their emails every 10 minutes to make sure that nobody is trying to get hold of them,” he states.
He also recommends making the time to complete any materials that are required before the beginning of the class and not saving those tasks until the last minute, as well as researching the other students on the program to maximize opportunities for networking and connecting once the class begins.
If students are traveling internationally to take an executive course, they should make sure to give themselves plenty of time to sort out their travel documents and potential visa requirements, and not leave that to the last minute.
It’s also wise for students to make sure to take care of themselves during the course, whether that means choosing healthy eating options or bringing gym clothes to fit in a workout.
It’s important to preemptively stave off any imposter syndrome. While there might be people with impressive resumes in the room, students need to know that they are exactly where they need to be.
“I would say [I have] almost never seen someone that's gone through all the trouble to find and enroll in and get their company to fund or make their own investment in coming through an executive education program that hasn't got something to contribute to the class,” says Hirst.
“Whoever you are, you should know that your contribution is every bit as important, and the faculty and the other participants really want to hear from you and get to know you as well.”
