4 business schools, 4 pathways to a world-changing career

Indeed, a solid foundation in business principles equips professionals with the tools to navigate the complexities of modern commerce, opening doors to a world of opportunities for career growth and success. However, the true potential of a business degree transcends mere profit margins and bottom lines. 

The best business programmes today are designed to instil a deeper sense of responsibility towards the world we inhabit, nurturing a vision where business acumen converges with sustainability, ethics, and humanitarianism to address the most pressing issues of our time. The need for such curricula has never been greater, especially since climate change, social inequity and ethical quandaries increasingly demand innovative solutions from every corner of society. 

Hence, universities across the globe are focusing more on nurturing the insight, acumen and ethical compass needed for executivesto face 21st century challenges head-on. The following institutions stand as prime examples of this shift:

Johns Hopkins University, Carey Business School

The students of Carey Business School are not just learning to navigate the future; they’re gearing up to build it. From analytics to insights, data is placed at the core of each curriculum here, ensuring students are immersed in a learning environment that emphasises the power of data-driven decision-making. It’s what lies ahead for business and Carey Business School has known this for a while — it was one of the first 10 American business schools to claim a STEM designation for its Full-Time MBA programme.

Delivered from the vibrant city of Baltimore, this programme stands out for going beyond the ordinary, equipping students with the analytical prowess and leadership finesse needed to excel in today’s global market. All modules are led by distinguished faculty who double as thought leaders in their respective fields. Their insights play a pivotal role in helping students tailor their educational journey by selecting from a range of electives and co-curricular activities aligned with their unique strengths and interests.

Year 2 of the MBA is just as customisable. This is when students can plan a course schedule that matches their professional interests and goals. MBA students can seek to engage with Carey students from various programmes and immerse deeper into the rich experiences offered by Johns Hopkins, including initiatives such as Leadership Development Expeditions and Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures. Carey students also have the invaluable opportunity to connect with a vast network of over 260,000 accomplished Johns Hopkins alumni.

Carey Business School’s resources are just as extensive and paired with its esteemed reputation, opportunities abound for MBA students. They get to engage in experiential learning at local, national, and international levels, gaining the skills that employers seek or setting them up to become one themselves.

University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business

The Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley helps students build fluency in business fundamentals. The result? Graduates empowered and confident to step into their future, armed with knowledge and skills to create change. 

The school is host to more than 2,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students who come from all over the world to find success here. Programmes like the Full Time MBA, MBA for Executives, and Evening and Weekend MBA are designed to deep-dive into sectors like communication, innovation, global business and many more. You gain more knowledge as you learn collaboratively with top-notch peers.

Classes are kept small to foster intimacy critical to personal development. Students and faculty share a common culture and leadership principle, which means support is always available. If you are a student who enjoys learning as you do, you won’t regret picking this school. It prominently features hands-on experiential learning, while customising your programme in an interdisciplinary environment. 

This is a place that continues to move knowledge forward, and this is seen through its PhD programme. Here, PhD students have access to top-quality research centres and education opportunities in business and other industries.

University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business

Founded in 1883, the University of Texas at Austin has a mission to achieve excellence in the interrelated areas of undergraduate education, graduate education, research and public service. The McCombs School of Business is a premier business school that cultivates principled leaders and develops ideas that aim to advance the economy, improve lives, strengthen communities, and create new knowledge for future generations.

This is done by delivering high-quality instruction, experiential learning, and the pursuit of relevant, groundbreaking research. Its dean, Lillian Mills, notes: “We understand that the business models and leadership demands before us are rapidly evolving. As an academic community, we are constantly studying, learning, and discovering with forward anticipation.”

Professionals in business and finance can find several programmes that suit their interests, including an MBA, a Master in Professional Accounting, to a Master of Science in Business Analytics. Their Master of Science in Finance programme, for instance, offers students an intersection of finance theory and technical, quantitative aptitude.

This programme is designed by industry experts and aims to help enrollees acquire in-demand financial modelling skills and broaden one’s career opportunities with employers. One-on-one career coaching is available to all MSF students to maximise career exploration while their small class sizes facilitate high-quality student-professor interaction.

University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business

University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business is committed to growing the good in business. It does this by shaping students into future business leaders who are dedicated to personal growth, social responsibility and a moral purpose that benefits society. At Notre Dame’s historic campus, virtuous individuals, with diverse interests and uncommon potential, can access several programmes to make them the best persons they can be. 

The Two-Year MBA offers countless opportunities to improve your business acumen and develop your own leadership style. This programmes allows students to pair one of five majors, three of which are STEM-designated, with more specific minors to tailor their education to their interests and future goals. It is so effective that 96% of the Class of 2022 accepted a full-time offer within three months. 

Classes are small, allowing for a more personal connection with classmates and one-on-one attention from career coaches and faculty (the latter carries on long after graduation). The University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business was also built on three fundamental commitments that shape its curriculum and differentiate its MBA degree programme. 

The first is integral leadership development, where future leaders are committed to personal and professional growth grounded in creating shared value. Experiential learning is key, as real-world applications give students a chance to evolve their skills and know how to grow a business well. The final commitment is to the community, nurturing a culture of success with shared priorities, recognition of a shared purpose and mutual advancement.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International