How to be a master at work and school

Going back to the classroom after many years of full-time work can be a daunting prospect for many. But due to an ever-changing workplace, managers around the world are still signing up for courses in the hope of furthering their careers. Getting an MBA, for instance, has been growing in popularity in recent years as executives of all industries look for ways to stand out from the competition. So for anyone considering a return to studies to gain an edge, here are a few things to help you get ahead. Growing Market Alistair Benson, Academic Director at Manchester Business School Worldwide, was in Dubai recently for the induction of the institute's latest intake. The UAE represents about 35 per cent of the university's total student population, but Benson says the course has been attracting more applicants around the world. "We have more people applying as they look to improve their marketability, particularly in the UK and US," he says. "There is a comfort factor that when the economy is good people don't need the extra strings, but there is a always a core of people who want to move forward in their management training and an MBA is looked at as part of a package managers should have." What It Involves Throughout the course, students learn about all aspects involved in management, including data management, marketing and human resources, as well as completing self-assessments in which they assess their professional performance. Briton Claudia Matthews, 28, started a part-time executive MBA last year. "I wanted to do it because it's a professional and recognised management qualification that underpinned my experience with a view to furthering my career," says the manager of five years. "The first semester was quite an adjustment as I juggled my full-time job with study. "It's a significant time commitment away from work and I had to sacrifice things in my personal life I would otherwise want to do." How Long It Takes Most courses offer a one-year full- or two-year part-time executive MBA course but gaining a place is not easy. For Manchester, based in Knowledge Village, Dubai, applicants must have an upper second-class degree or higher and at least two years' management experience in which they make the decisions. For people without a degree, a minimum of 10 years' experience is needed to be eligible. Who Signs Up Benson says students used to come predominantly from finance and engineering backgrounds, but the current climate has attracted employees from all backgrounds with most of them seek higher positions. "An MBA helps people progress and I can speak from experience as I switched careers from medicine to business studies," says Benson. "One of the things to remember always is a lot of people start their careers in technical positions but as they move through the ranks and start managing people, they need different skills sets and this management course teaches those requirements." Matthews says she waited until she had the necessary experience because a lot of the work is based on practical knowledge. "I didn't want to do it until I had a good solid background and I don't think it's a qualification to do straight from university because you need management experience," she says. While her social life has suffered, she says she is enjoying the course: "I didn't want to do it full-time because having my work life to draw on is important and doing it part-time allows me to progress in my career while studying." Keep up with the latest business news from the region with the daily Emirates Business 24|7 newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here .