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Blogs Guest Blogs Breaking Into Entertainment with an MBA by Alzay Calhoun | Breaking Into Entertainment with an MBA by Alzay Calhoun |
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| Written by Foresight | |
| Monday, 18 February 2008 | |
  Do you really need an MBA to work in the entertainment industry? Which schools should you target? What kind of job should you look forward to? Here are three big things to think about as you consider your next career step. • MBAs are business people…not entertainers. Be 100% honest with yourself on your intentions for being an MBA in entertainment. Understand that MBAs are highly trained business people that specialize in the traditional functions of business. You will most likely work in marketing, strategy, finance, supply-chain management, or a similar function. If your passion is to produce music with the latest music mogul, an MBA is probably not the best path. However, if your passion is to start your own record label and control all distribution…now you are thinking more like an MBA. • Jobs will come from networking…not on-campus recruiting. With only a few exceptions, entertainment companies do not recruit at MBA schools. Most entertainment companies hire “industry insiders” with relevant experience and contacts. Your main mission during business school will be to become an “industry insider”. This is easiest if you choose an MBA program in a strong media market. Los Angeles and New York are two great places to start looking. These schools will have the most targeted classes and the most connected professors. Still, your success will come from your ability to gain experience, exposure, and new contacts. Leave no stone unturned. • Opportunities may not come as quickly…but they are there. Companies like Citigroup, Kraft, and Accenture typically have fast track programs to accelerate an MBA’s growth within the company. Companies like Arista Records, Warner Brothers Pictures, and Vibe Magazine typically do not. Your MBA degree alone will not catapult you into the executive ranks. As a matter of fact, you are probably going to have to make a lateral career move in terms of salary and responsibility. Your career will accelerate once you establish your unique niche in the new culture. Be patient, and know that opportunities are everywhere. I want an MBA and I want to work in entertainment…how do I get started? Each year there is a pool of MBA students with aspirations very similar to yours. Know that there is support for you not only at your school, but also across the country. There are multiple conferences held each year where industry executives meet and discuss new business trends. For example, http://www.mbamec.com/ is a good place to start. Another tactic is to work for a more traditional company and focus on the entertainment sector. Think about how many companies leverage entertainment to build their brand and pursue some of them. Most importantly, know that this can be done. Quality companies need quality people and entertainment companies are no different. Be clear about your ambitions, meet plenty of new people, and learn as much as you can. Good luck to you! About the Author: Alzay Calhoun is an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia. He is CEO of Even Better Consulting, an MBA admissions coaching company specializing in helping clients Be Qualified, Be Different, and Be Relevant…so they can Be Admitted! Visit the website EvenBetterConsulting.com and learn to create your best MBA Application. Download an MBA Application Checklist FREE! Learn more ways to accelerate your career with the FREE Even Better Newsletter! Click < http://www.evenbetterconsulting.com/newsletter.htm > to sign up. Comments
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Copyright 2007. All Rights Reserved.       |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 20 February 2008 ) |
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