A new beginning for the MBA

Today was the start of MBA48, a course that will take 99 students from around the world on a journey to learn the tools needed to reach their professional goals. This program draws on its past editions but is characterized by new aspects derived from the current and future global challenges of the market.

“In an attempt to maintain a balance with the past, we have decided to insert some changes in the program, which reached in recent years a level of excellence that is largely recognized globally,” said Stefano Pogutz. “We have identified two lines of action to address to reinforce our offer and better meet the needs of the competitive and social environment in which future managers must build their careers. Firstly, themes like responsible capitalism, social values and the identity of our school will be strengthened throughout the whole course of studies the students will follow. The second line of change involves the need to educate not only trained professionals but women and men who will redesign companies, working as agents of change. To do this, in addition to traditional managerial, organizational, and economic/finance knowledge, those who work in companies can no longer overlook a broad set of skills in areas like innovation and new entrepreneurship. In such a rapidly evolving world, our participants must acquire the tools to drive and lead change.” To encourage this course, we rely on the identifying values that have always characterized SDA Bocconi and its community.

This 48^th edition has a class of 99 participants, of which 27% are Italian and 73% international, from a total of 33 countries. Students have an average age of 29 and 5 years of experience in the field. Different cultures, different preparation, and personal experiences, along with the development of well-rounded managerial skills acquired over 12 months of study, will make them able to jump on evolutions and anticipate change in the global market and lead the response to that change.

The director Pogutz expects aspiring MBAs to “be able to bring energy and passion.” Because what has been created for them “is a very intense program that requires great ambition and curiosity to make the experience unique.” And to do so, “it is imperative they use to the fullest all the help the faculty, career development center and organization have to offer. But most importantly, they should take advantage of Bocconi’s networking potential, leaning on relationships and competencies to overcome difficulties they may find on their journey and open up new professional opportunities. They must give themselves the time needed to reach their set goals.”

SDA Bocconi School of Management