We sit down with Edel O’Leary, UCD Smurfit School’s MBA programme senior manager, to talk about their new LEAP module, which combines academics with real-world application.
Our Executive students are slightly older, in their mid to late 30s, they have over 11 years of work experience, and they are predominantly Irish. Overall, both are looking to make a significant investment in their future career potential. “Many of the modules cover leadership components, be it from a marketing or HR point of view, and how they integrate their personal leadership aspirations with the academic ones. So we bring all of those elements together in the LEAP module, which is compulsory and contributes towards your overall MBA.”
This plan includes invaluable tools and opportunities for growth, such as expert-led seminars, communications training, workshops across behaviours, guest panel discussions, career panel discussions, field trips where they visit leading employers across Ireland, individual mentoring with MBA alumni, and networking courses.
As part of this growth process, students are encouraged to pursue their passions in a practical manner. “We spend a lot of time asking people to think about what makes them happywhat somebody will pay you to do. The key components of employability are your competencies, observable skills, behaviours and your experience to date. So look at what roles you’ve had, your disposition, your skillset and also your own personal drivers and values.
“Not everybody is comfortable with networking, but when people understand that it has a purpose and how to incorporate it into their day-to-day business and social life, they feel more comfortable with it.