MBA at MIP Italy or IE Spain

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Posted Apr 27, 2023 18:39

I have been accepted in both MIP and IE and need to make a decision on which school to go to. The difference in tuition is remarkable. For the Polimi/MIP MBA, it's 34000 Euros, and for IE, it's 82000 Euros. I'm applying for financial aid at both, so let's see how that goes. I had also applied at Bocconi and it's been a month, haven't received any revert.
I was leaning toward Italy as I have 8+ years of experience in product & brand development in the beauty industry (including entrepreneurship & 11.5 years experience overall). Luxury and beauty are big industries there and I can leverage some local contacts for jobs in the future. But IE is a much better-ranked school and I feel it may lead to better salaries in the long term. Will the IE brand name be sufficient to get jobs in other European markets or is it only relevant locally in Spain?
I'm not from Europe but am willing to learn the language of the country I study in.

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Andy776

243 115

Posted Apr 27, 2023 19:53

Wait for Bocconi it is much better :)

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Duncan

13.783 15.335

Posted Apr 27, 2023 21:40

Don't do this. You have all the experience you need to find work. You lack the language skills and local knowledge. An MBA taught in English alongside other foreigners will not help as much as an intensive language programme taught at a university with a good careers service.

Take a look at: Do you need to speak the local language? www.find-mba.com/board/34713

Also, if you don't speak Spanish or Italian why not focus on Henkel, L’Oréal, LVMH, and Unilever. French is closer to English than either, and German and Dutch firms are more likely to have role in English.

Don't do this. You have all the experience you need to find work. You lack the language skills and local knowledge. An MBA taught in English alongside other foreigners will not help as much as an intensive language programme taught at a university with a good careers service. Take a look at: Do you need to speak the local language? www.find-mba.com/board/34713   Also, if you don't speak Spanish or Italian why not focus on Henkel, L’Oréal, LVMH, and Unilever. French is closer to English than either, and German and Dutch firms are more likely to have role in English.

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madhatter

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Posted Apr 28, 2023 03:40

Wait for Bocconi it is much better :)

Hi Andy,
Bocconi was my first choice as well. It's been more than a month since I applied but there's been no revert. I even mailed them. Not really hopeful post that.

My friends and family are keener on IE as people in my home country recognize the school plus it has consistently ranked high in most rankings. But I'm a little apprehensive about the fee, to be honest. I will have to take a loan to finance the degree in any case. Don't really know why IE is not favored on most forums that I've stumbled upon.

[quote]Wait for Bocconi it is much better :)  [/quote] Hi Andy, Bocconi was my first choice as well. It's been more than a month since I applied but there's been no revert. I even mailed them. Not really hopeful post that. My friends and family are keener on IE as people in my home country recognize the school plus it has consistently ranked high in most rankings. But I'm a little apprehensive about the fee, to be honest. I will have to take a loan to finance the degree in any case. Don't really know why IE is not favored on most forums that I've stumbled upon.

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madhatter

2 3

Posted Apr 28, 2023 04:49

Don't do this. You have all the experience you need to find work. You lack the language skills and local knowledge. An MBA taught in English alongside other foreigners will not help as much as an intensive language programme taught at a university with a good careers service.

Take a look at: Do you need to speak the local language? www.find-mba.com/board/34713

Also, if you don't speak Spanish or Italian why not focus on Henkel, L’Oréal, LVMH, and Unilever. French is closer to English than either, and German and Dutch firms are more likely to have role in English.

Hi Duncan,

Thanks for the insights. An MBA is highly valued in my home country. And my reasoning was that if I don't manage to secure a job in Europe, I can return back.

I personally don't find a lot of value in MBA from a learning point of view (this is only due to my extensive experience). But this degree can be a good value add to my resume and can hopefully open doors. At 33, this will most likely be the last Uni program I study and I want it to have a great ROI. In the link you shared, it was suggested that one should do an extensive language course and then an MSc. But I've been recommended by multiple admission counselors to opt for an MBA instead of an MSc due to my past experience.

Out of IE and MIP, which one do you recommend in terms of future job prospects in FMCG. Also, for companies like Loreal and Unilver, an MBA or a specialised masters is a must in my home country.

[quote]Don't do this. You have all the experience you need to find work. You lack the language skills and local knowledge. An MBA taught in English alongside other foreigners will not help as much as an intensive language programme taught at a university with a good careers service. Take a look at: Do you need to speak the local language? www.find-mba.com/board/34713   Also, if you don't speak Spanish or Italian why not focus on Henkel, L’Oréal, LVMH, and Unilever. French is closer to English than either, and German and Dutch firms are more likely to have role in English.  [/quote] Hi Duncan, Thanks for the insights. An MBA is highly valued in my home country. And my reasoning was that if I don't manage to secure a job in Europe, I can return back. I personally don't find a lot of value in MBA from a learning point of view (this is only due to my extensive experience). But this degree can be a good value add to my resume and can hopefully open doors. At 33, this will most likely be the last Uni program I study and I want it to have a great ROI. In the link you shared, it was suggested that one should do an extensive language course and then an MSc. But I've been recommended by multiple admission counselors to opt for an MBA instead of an MSc due to my past experience. Out of IE and MIP, which one do you recommend in terms of future job prospects in FMCG. Also, for companies like Loreal and Unilver, an MBA or a specialised masters is a must in my home country.

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Duncan

13.783 15.335

Posted Apr 28, 2023 10:10

If you try to optimise multiple variables, then you don't optimise the key goal. Are you focussed on finding work in the EU, or when you return? If you want to work in the EU first, then the quality of your post-MBA role could make more of an impact on your return than the differences between the various MBA options.

Since you speak neither Spanish nor Italian, and because I think brand development in consumer markets requires local acculturation, I cannot recommend either to you. I don't think they are likely to lead you to the goal you have set.

PS my recommendation if you want to focus on mainland Europe is a full-time intensive language course at a university, not a degree.

[Edited by Duncan on Apr 29, 2023]

If you try to optimise multiple variables, then you don't optimise the key goal. Are you focussed on finding work in the EU, or when you return? If you want to work in the EU first, then the quality of your post-MBA role could make more of an impact on your return than the differences between the various MBA options.  Since you speak neither Spanish nor Italian, and because I think brand development in consumer markets requires local acculturation, I cannot recommend either to you. I don't think they are likely to lead you to the goal you have set.   PS my recommendation if you want to focus on mainland Europe is a full-time intensive language course at a university,  not a degree.

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Andy776

243 115

Posted Apr 29, 2023 11:07

Rankings are one thing (which are important of course) but the most important is to see whether your diploma will lead you to your goals. For that the country you do your MBA in is critical. If you don't speak Spanish or Italian then I would aim for the UK or the Netherlands. However, if beauty/luxury is the sector you want to go into, then take the debt and aim for Bocconi. It will be worth it over the long term. Afterwards, finding a job in Italy without Italian is like finding a needle in a land of grass (same in Spain & France)... Good luck

[Edited by Andy776 on Apr 29, 2023]

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