D

ara Lengkong always knew it takes more than good recommendations to land the perfect job and build an accomplished career path. By the mid 1990s, she had only an undergraduate degree from a local university in Jakarta.

Learning, she believed, would take her higher and further.

'I felt that an MBA degree would greatly complement my education background and help broaden my career opportunities down the road,' said the senior consultant at the World Bank office in Indonesia.

She turned to the US to realize her dream. In June 1996, she graduated from Columbia Business School in New York ' and she says prestigious job opportunities came her way.

'Having an MBA degree, particularly from a highly reputable university, gives you a competitive edge. When recruiting, employers often get hundreds of applications, and having an MBA degree from an internationally well-known university often catches their eye and sets you apart from other applicants,' Dara said.

Further testament to the fact that MBA graduates are highly sought after by top companies comes with the January 2013 survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council. It showed that 92 percent of 2012 business school graduates worldwide found jobs three months after graduation, up from 86 percent the previous year.

A separate survey found that two thirds of international employers are planning to hire recent MBA graduates around the world in 2013, and expect to increase the number of new MBA hires.

Alex Bastian is looking forward to that rosy future. The program planning and scheduling manager at a leading TV station is planning to graduate with an MBA degree from Manila-based Asian Institute of Management this year. He believes the grueling education in business-related disciplines is arming him with essential corporate management strategies.

'The school applied case methods in its courses which at some point became a challenge for those of us who did not major in economics or management. We needed to catch up with theoretical frameworks on our own so we can discuss and understand better,' said Alex.

 'For me, the most important thing about an MBA is experience. We can learn from our own experience, or case methods, from other people's experience. The program gives us an applied-science sense to that experience. Some people became successful by a series of trial and errors; hopefully an MBA education can shorten that process.'

While education is a major determining factor, some argue that it may not be all it takes in such an increasingly tight job market and severe talent shortage in Indonesia.

'Apart from technical skills to do the job, most companies are searching for people who can display a proven track record of achievement. Candidates who are professional in the way they conduct themselves and can demonstrate high levels of honesty and integrity are becoming highly valued and sort after,' said Andrew Hairs, regional director at Monroe Consulting, an executive recruitment company with offices throughout Southeast Asia.

He also warns that although it's a popular path, MBA education may not be suitable for everyone; it was originally designed for people who had already entered the workforce and people need to ask themselves if it will actually lead to a healthy return on investment in their career progression and income, he said.

For Dannif Danusaputro, director at a Singapore-based regional private equity firm, the answer to Hairs' question is a definite yes. Before graduating from Stern Business School at New York University in 1997, he worked at the consulting firm of Arthur Andersen.

Right after graduation, he took up an offer by GE Capital in Connecticut. Stellar school reputation, he says, gives you a head start when it comes to job hunting.

'I had about four years working experience prior to the MBA program. However, the degree from NYU was a big influence in securing (my latter) jobs. I got my job from campus recruitment process. It wasn't only the job after the MBA program, but it also helped me land several jobs thereafter,' said Dannif.

'I believe MBA education is suited for people who want to have a career in multinationals, banking, consulting and other structured organizations. MBA education gives you good fundamentals to become a good corporate citizen.'

As more people continue to realize the value of an MBA in ways that affect their creative thinking and work exposure, some say it is worth remembering that not all MBAs are created equal.

Arief Novisto, product specialist manager for CIMB Niaga received his MBA from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1999.

'I wouldn't trade that for anything,' Novisto says.

'It's not for everybody. I don't think there's an ideal anything for everyone. But if you're lucky enough to go to a good school, can sustain the rigors of study and want to work in a corporate environment, then it might be a worthwhile endeavor.'

Dara concurs with the sentiment.

'Having an MBA degree from a mediocre university may not give you much of a competitive edge when applying for a job, considering the increasingly tight competition. Aim for an internationally reputable university, if possible. This is helped by having some good prior working experience and solid undergraduate degree,' she said.