Higher education for the busy professional

Why executives choose The Practical MBA

Written by Andrea Walters FAIM

MBA

	4 minute read

Are you looking to excel in your current role or step up for a promotion? If so, higher education qualifications are a fantastic way to take your career to the next level.

Recent Statista research shows that demand for employees with higher education remains high, with 92 percent of employers surveyed in 2022 reporting plans to recruit MBA graduates.

Whether your motivation is greater earning capacity, a career change, or you’re simply seeking a new challenge, getting a postgraduate qualification under your belt is a worthwhile progression.

Whatever the reason, it takes a strong commitment alongside a healthy wedge of time and money.

With many of us working long hours and juggling the increasing demands of family life, study options need to be practical, flexible, affordable and provide plenty of support.

To hit the books with a business school that provides exactly that experience, look no further than ‘The Practical MBA’ at AIM WA.

We spoke to AIM WA’s Higher Education Adviser Fiona Hammond AFAIM about what makes AIM Business School’s qualifications stand out in comparison to other programs.

Why is it called The Practical MBA?

Ms Hammond explained that most people who study at this level with AIM WA are busy professionals, keen to leverage the flexible delivery options to suit their work and home commitments.

“I'd say 99% of our students are full time workers,” she said. “And that's why we recommend they only do one higher education unit of study per term.

“Experience shows that with a commitment of 10 to 15 hours per week, including the face-to-face session, this is realistic for most working professionals.”

Unlike more academic approaches to higher education qualifications, AIM Business School’s assessment tasks draw from students’ own workplace situations, hence the program’s name.

“It’s designed so that learning can be applied to the workplace immediately,” Ms Hammond said.

And for those currently between roles, Ms Hammond says The Practical MBA is still an option.

“We’ve had some students who were made redundant, for example, so timing-wise it’s an ideal opportunity for them to get a higher education qualification, as they can still draw on recent experience.”

The appeal for working professionals

Crucial to the popularity of The Practical MBA is that students attend evening classes in person. While online learning works for some, feedback from students shows face-to-face learning ticks so many more boxes.

“A lot of our students have tried online - and they say there's no comparison - they prefer being in the classroom, as it provides more opportunities for sharing and discussion,” Ms Hammond said.

The real-world professional experience of the MBA faculty also makes the program score highly in the opinion of students. Not only gaining a qualification for the future, students are also more effective in their day-to-day jobs.

“Our facilitators are experienced industry practitioners as well as academic faculty, so they have that business knowledge to give real context to theory,” she said.

Affordable pricing, small class sizes, no exams, the option for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and the flexibility of study breaks, are further benefits of The Practical MBA with AIM WA.

“Life happens. Imagine you’re working your way through your units and something at work or at home occurs," Ms Hammond said.

“You've got the opportunity to step out at the end of that unit and return to your studies when circumstances allow.”

Fast and flexible study pathways

AIM WA students can complete their MBA in a minimum of three years by studying one unit per term.

Ms Hammond recommends students follow a stepped progression, comprising four units for the Graduate Certificate over the first 12 months, four units for the Graduate Diploma in year two and four units for the MBA in the final year.

“The benefit of that is you’re not over-committed at any point. You have an easy exit strategy at each stage and with a qualification,” Ms Hammond explained.

“Complete all three stages and you’ve achieved three qualifications.”

Specialist study routes

AIM WA offers six Graduate Certificates in the areas of Management, Leadership and Strategy, Business, Project Management, Human Resources and Marketing Management.

“This is ideal for people who prefer to attain a specialist or role-based Graduate Certificate, either as a stand-alone qualification or en route to the full MBA,” Ms Hammond said.