A Five Question Interview with Dave Wilson
Dave Wilson, a former MBA professor at Harvard University in the 1970’s and a long-time advocate of MBA education, has been the president and CEO of the Graduate Management Admission Council since 1995. This blog is the second in a two-part series from our interview with Wilson.
1. Why do you think more MBA programs and more organizations that hire MBAs are attracted to candidates from a military background?
When I talk to recruiters they say they will hire military background MBAs in a heartbeat. These applicants have maturity, life experience that few people have at such a young age; they are efficient, focused and able to manage logistical stuff that will stun the most managers, [and] they will also work very hard. Military are generally wonderful candidates to bring into a program.
2. Please tell us how the GMAC has been specifically involved in helping military be recruited into MBA programs?
We started Operation MBA five years ago which helps connect military personnel with MBA programs. We also created test centers at Camp Victory and Camp Phoenix in Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively, five years ago. We were inspired to do this when a man stationed in Iraq contacted us saying he wanted to take the GMAT, but it was difficult to get to a test center in another country. It made sense to bring the testing sites directly to the military.
3. How do you feel about the growing trend of online MBAs?
Technology is improving and while it might have been difficult before to teach business online, those barriers are certainly diminishing. High caliber institutions like the Wharton MBA Program now offer online MBAs and they wouldn’t do it if they didn’t think it would excel. Their reputation is on the line. They are smart people so they will have found a way around the pedagogical challenges.
4. MBA programs always seek higher-caliber prospective students. What’s your advice?
You must offer high-quality prospective students a compelling message on why they should choose your program over others. Good candidates always have good options. Also note: the MBA degree is perhaps one of the only degrees people enter after doing considerable economic analysis. MBA prospective students have already worked out the cost benefits and the return on taking that degree. It is part of the analysis, and therefore MBA programs must convey what precisely the ROI is and why their program offers the best ROI out there for their specific skills.
5. Is there anything you worry about moving forward?
No, because I strongly believe that graduate management education will continue to thrive. Never before has an MBA degree been so greatly valued by employers. It’s an excellent degree to have in your personal portfolio.