2017 has seen new waves of technological disruption sweep the business school world. Artificial Intelligence and big data analytics have become mainstays of the MBA curriculum at most top-ranked b-schools.Such is the increasing popularity of specialized master’s programs, that new rankings have come out covering alternative master’s in finance and master’s in big data analytics degrees.
And the millennial MBA generation is changing the shape of MBA careers, with more MBA grads going into careers in disruptive sectors like cleantech.
Across the board, employer demand for MBAs remain strong. In January 2017, Keith Bevans, global head of consulting recruitment at Bain & Co. announced he would hire a record number of MBAs this year. He did just that—around 500 MBA grads started new careers at Bain in 2017.
2017 also saw many lower-ranked US business school’s struggle to increase their application numbers—Donald Trump’s presidency taking its toll—while the Financial Times ranked INSEAD’s full-time MBA program the best in the world for the second consecutive year.
These themes and more make up BusinessBecause’s top-10 ranking stories of 2017:
1. HEC Paris MBA Switches Careers To Land A Digital Marketing Job At Amazon
Sue Jean Tay was on the Dean's List and gave the commencement speech at her graduation. The HEC Paris MBA gave her confidence to become the business leader she always wanted to be.
2. The 10 Best Cities For Millennial MBAs
Tech-savvy, entrepreneurially-minded, and determined to make an impact, millennials are tomorrow’s business leaders. But where should millennial MBAs put down their roots?
3. 5 US Business Schools Blazing A Trail In Big Data Analytics
In today’s business world, big data analytics skills have become increasingly important.
4. Inside View: Bain & Company
Global head of consulting recruitment—and Harvard B-School grad—Keith Bevans on MBAs.
5. Artificial Intelligence And Deep Learning Are On The Business School Syllabus
Harvard, Stanford, and INSEAD add courses on managing the algorithms that help businesses make better decisions.
6. Average GMAT Scores For The World’s Top 20 MBA Programs
GMAT scores are increasing and more incoming MBA students are taking the GRE.
7. The 7 Best Business Schools For Careers In CleanTech
US business schools are responding to climate change with MBA programs on sustainability, renewable energy, and clean technology innovation.
8. INSEAD Is The World’s Best B-School (Again), Says The Financial Times' MBA Ranking 2017
The French institution beat Stanford's Graduate School of Business and The Wharton School.
9. New Rankings Reveal Best MBA, Masters In Management, Finance & Big Data Analytics Programs
US business schools lead the way in the QS Master’s in Business Analytics Rankings.
10. Meet The African MBA Running IE Business School’s Big Data Club
Beatrice Murage moved from Kenya to pursue a dual degree—an MBA and a master’s in business analytics and big data—at Spain’s IE Business School.
Student Reviews
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
Cultural experience
I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.
Internationality and diversity of opportunities
About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.
Great selection of people
While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.
Best in France for Grande ecole
A prestigious business school. Languages are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments.
The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.
Diversity and quality of fellow students
Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.
The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs
The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.
HEC Paris awaits you
HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.
A dream institute
Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions.
The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!
Good choice for a career boost
The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.
