Life comes down to some very big choices. These choices will impact your life in such gigantic ways that they have to be well thought out and constructed. Choosing a life partner, choosing to emigrate (or not), choosing to make a difference (or not). Choosing a MBA is one such choice. It is a choice to be made with gravitas.
After deciding to study a MBA (in order to increase my personal skills and career growth with the end goal to become a Product Manager) I needed to sit down and choose a MBA in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Only two options sprung to mind:
· Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) http://www.gibs.ac.za/academic-programmes/the-gibs-mba.aspx
I looked closely at both programmes and their respective credos. I examined them further by reading, as well as discussing the course with some alumni from both schools. For my years of study - 2011/2012 - it became clear that GIBS was the better option for me. The things that impressed me were:
· Purpose-built campus
· A stone’s throw from Sandton
· The faculty is world class (a lot of lecturers moved from WBS)
· Part of the study is in intensive syndicate groups – this will allow me to improve my team building and leadership skills
· It is globally relevant and cutting edge
· GIBS is not complacent and constantly engages with business and government in the form of presentations, lectures, course improvement etc.
· Compulsory global module (overseas)
In my working career I have met two GIBS alumni and they had nothing but good things to say about the programme. The WBS was in a state of flux (based on reports from the press) related to changes in Rector’s and faculty members. GIBS, on the other hand appears to be a rising star. I chose GIBS.
What now?
I had made my choice after much thought and deliberation. Now all I had to do was apply.
What lay before me was the formidable GIBS test – all 5 hours of it. A number of essays and some other administrative hurdles also needed to be vanquished.
Oh, and also needed to vanquish other applicants. I needed to be better than most of them, otherwise I would be sitting on the bench (only about 150 applicants are accepted into the modular course).
