How to Prepare for Your Business Masters Program

For those looking to get ahead in business, a masters degree is a popular route. However, successfully completing a program at a business school is no mean feat. Adequately preparing for the experience is paramount to maximizing your time at school, and making the most of the student experience.

Massimo Spagnuolo, the associate director of recruitment and sales strategy at HEC Paris, a French business school, says: “The challenges of a MiM degree program are not to be underestimated so starting early and taking proactive steps is crucial. You might want to consider participating in a summer program to gain insights into the degree of your choice while familiarizing yourself with the campus, school environment, and teaching style.”

At HEC Paris, there are various two-week programs focused on specific industries such as luxury management and international finance. But while these specializations can even earn you credits and waivers for your degree program, Spagnuolo stresses the importance of keeping an open mind.

“While having a plan does not sound like a bad thing, it can be risky and limiting. It is crucial to stay open, be curious, and explore new topics, clubs, associations, methods, and fields. Embrace your masters program as a chance to enrich yourself, get out of your comfort zone, discover new people, cultures, and ways of thinking,” he says.

Hit the ground running 

So what are the best ways to prepare for a rigorous business masters degree program, and the wider student experience including extracurricular activities and the post-degree job search?

“It is important for students to organize themself and to know the structure of the program,” says Florian Stahl, academic director of the Master in Management at Mannheim Business School in Germany. The program runs for two years and students can design their studies around their interests, taking a wide range of elective options in addition to compulsory subjects like corporate social responsibility and business analytics.

“Moreover, we recommend students to collect practical experience in company before choosing a specialization within the program and to gain some hands-on experience,” adds Stahl. “Finally, we evaluate the GMAT or GRE test in our selection process because we believe that they also help students to prepare for our MiM program,” says Stahl, citing the widely used business-school entrance examinations.

At Mannheim, the school tries try to make sure that students are on the same page when it comes to organizing their studies by offering an online “onboarding” session when they are admitted to their business masters. “Right before the semester starts, we offer a ‘welcome week’ on campus that includes several information sessions about choosing the most interesting electives,” Stahl says.

Avoid typical mistakes 

One of the biggest mistakes students can make is not doing enough research about their business masters, and then not having the experience they hoped for. “Another is that student can focus too much on academics and grades while underestimating the importance of the professional networking opportunities their schools provide. You need to sharpen your graduate profile to stand out from the crowd,” stresses Roland Siegers, director external engagement and masters programs at ESMT Berlin, a business school in Germany.

ESMT supports candidates through each stage of the student journey. “Before they apply, we provide webinars, open house sessions, and individual calls with our admissions team. Once they enrol our student services team guide them through all steps from funding options to visa processes, housing, and academic choices,” says Siegers. The idea is that, when they arrive in Berlin, they can focus on being a great student and member of the ESMT community, while preparing for that dream job they want to land on graduation.

There are other ways to gather information, including connecting with current students and alumni through online forums or social media groups, says Spagnuolo at HEC Paris. “We offer a range of resources and initiatives to facilitate a seamless transition and help students maximize their MiM experience.

“We actively encourage and facilitate interactions among incoming students. We connect them with our student ambassadors through events, online social groups or directly through a live chat on our website, creating opportunities for them to gain valuable insights into student life at HEC Paris,” he says.

“We have a dedicated team ready to assist with administrative, logistical, and financial matters, ensuring that any questions or concerns students may have are promptly addressed,” he adds. “This ensures that students have all the necessary resources in place, such as housing, visas, medical coverage, and financial plans, enabling them to fully focus on their studies right from the beginning.”