Dean’s diary
What’s the
impact of the
recession on
the MBA?
Valérie Gauthier, PhD
Associate Dean - HEC MBA Program
M
any sources indicate that applications There is an opportunity to assess what factors HEC has been ahead of the curve,
and admissions increase when the contributed to the recession and how the focused on preparing MBAs to be high-
economy weakens. However, impact has been felt around the globe. It makes potential managers and leaders across a
because the HEC MBA is a controlled a great as-its-happening case study to realize multitude of sectors, which enables them to
enrolment program, allowing us to focus on how intertwined our economies are and to be continue to strive ahead even while a
quality rather than quantity; hence the number able to look at how the legislation in one particular sector may be struggling. Several
of applicants admitted will remain the same. country can vastly impact the economy of years ago we modified the curriculum based
Increases in applications will therefore lead to another. When economies are booming, on our belief that MBAs must have the skills
increased competition. When selecting discussing sustainability has often taken a to effectively lead in unknown business
candidates, GMAT scores are a part of our very backseat to maximizing current profitability. As environments: technology now brings such
selective process, allowing us to establish an a result of the recession, companies will see fast changes, we need to be confident in our
aptitude level. Beyond the aptitude expectations more value in hiring not just an MBA but the ability to respond with agility. The HEC
we conduct intense interviews, evaluate advantages of hiring an international MBA that MBA builds character. The recession means
professional experience, education, career is sustainability-focused. Diversity of faculty that businesses are focused on the details;
aspirations, and character – the details that and participants has long been an important looking for ways to improve the supply chain,
make the person unique. We look at whole aspect of the HEC MBA program, for it provides how to preserve or strengthen relationships,
person and essentially we construct the best excellent hands-on experience collaborating, how to find an opportunity to gain greater
possible team of participants market share or harness new
from the applicant pool. In a evolutions in technology. The
time of crisis these MBAs are HEC MBA enables participants
progressive, solution-oriented to be successful in these times,
and visionary. because they are equipped with
In terms of how this advanced communications
recession came about, I believe skills and the advanced
there are quite a few issues to intelligence skills to solve
reflect upon. There was no problems, be confident in
single invent that lead to the making strategic decisions and
global crisis – it was a perfect obtaining the support needed
storm of global decisions and to deliver. What the recession
that made the problem so proves to be advantageous to
expansive. We can look at this as HEC MBAs is that they are
an opportunity to learn or we self-motivated and possess a
can look at it solely as an deep sense of responsibility to
obstacle. I think that most MBAs lead teams to greatness. This is
will be able to see the opportunities in a down negotiating and leading in a multicultural really what we believe companies and
economy: the competitive edge of our HEC environment. The global perspective is a recruiters are now looking for in MBAs.
MBAs is of course how they are trained to react competitive value-added experience for They’re ready for the challenge of today and
strategically to shifting business environments. companies recruiting MBAs. the prospects of tomorrow.
54 TopMBA CAreer Guide
www.topmba.com
TopMBA CAreer Guide
www.topmba.com 55
MBA_SPR09_pp_052-155.indd 55 19/2/09 16:58:44
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