Gaining the executive edge - executive Master of Business Administration programs - includes related information on the Graduate Management Admissions Test

Black Enterprise, May, 1997 by Terrence L. Johnson

In 1995, Pelzer, who is in his 50s, enrolled in Case Western Reserve University's newly created three-year executive doctorate in management program, which teaches additional skills to M.B.A.s with at least 15 years of business experience. Seminars in economics, culture, world politics, technology and social system design are offered. Job security was not Pelzer's main reason for pursuing advanced training. After all, he is CEO and founder of Arhepco Inc., a six-year-old Cleveland-based private investment company. But Pelzer believes in staying ahead of the game, and feels that this is especially true for African Americans.

"We have no choice. We are especially exposed to changes taking place in the world around us," says Pelzer. "You clearly want to be in a position to change as the world around you evolves...as an African American, this is not an option but a requirement." Besides better positioning you in the workforce, additional training can broaden your perspective and expand your career portfolio. It can also help you Increase your earning power and land a better position.

A good example is Toni Ross, who at 37 earned an executive M.B.A. from Xavier University in Cincinnati in 1993. A year later, she landed a new job, moving up from director to vice president of human resources at her company. Now a member of the executive team, her base salary climbed nearly 15% and she received additional perks like stock options and bonus packages.

"I don't doubt that the M.B.A. positioned me into a higher compensation bracket," says Ross, who believes strongly that her degree strengthened her role in the company. "The M.B.A. expanded my portfolio and I know that I can now sit at the table on an equal level with my peers." For Ross, the mother of an eight-year-old, the degree steered her down a career path that extends beyond human resources. Now vice president at the Dayton, Ohio-based Sheridan Systems, a manufacturer of capital equipment from the post-press segment of the printing industry, Ross works with other departments such as finance and operations to create strategies to improve company revenues. She sits regularly with the executive staff to handle financial as well as labor issues. "Traditionally, human resources was not a strategic business partner with other parts of the company. But downsizing and restructuring have transformed it," she says.

THE TRADE-OFFS

Still, finding the time to earn an M.B.A. or participate in any other executive skills-building program can be arduous. Individuals with families often don't have the savings to quit their jobs and enroll in school full-time. On the other hand, going to school part-time takes much more time than many people are willing to spend.

Consider the case of 40-year-old Valerie Sherrer of Sterling, Virginia. After taking several years to complete her bachelor's, she debated taking more time away from her two children to earn an M.B.A.

Dividing her time between husband, children and school was tough. Yet the accounting consultant for Raytheon E-Systems wouldn't give up her goal to attend business school. "It was something I needed and wanted to do, even though it was difficult," Sherrer reflects. So she found an alternative: the University of Phoenix offers an accredited M.B.A. degree via the Internet. She can study from the comfort of her home and be with her children. She downloads lectures and types in test responses and homework assignments. "With the support of my husband, I decided to go for it. I'm hoping to remain marketable and reach a certain salary level," she says.