Tips for Doing a College MBA Residency
Earning an online MBA allows students the freedom to earn their degrees without taking a lot of time off work, but many of these programs now have an on-campus residency requirement. These schools require that students spend a set amount of time working on the campus. It can range from a weekend to five days or more. Online students can use some tips to make the most out of their experiences.
- Check Housing Options
- Make Use of Practical Experiences
- Block Out Distractions
- Make Friends
- Look for Networking Opportunities
Check Housing Options
Students should always check out the housing available to them because not all colleges have the same housing options. Some schools will make room for students to both live and work on the campus. They can spend the residency living in a dorm room or an apartment that they share with others in the MBA program. Other schools require that students make their own housing arrangements, which can result in students living further away from the campus.
Make Use of Practical Experiences
One benefit of an on-campus residency is that it provides students with the chance to gain some practical experience. Instead of spending the whole residency in the classroom, they work outside of those rooms and with groups of their peers. They might work on a project for a real company and then present their work at the end of the project. This gives students the chance to learn more about working with clients and giving those clients what they want.
Block Out Distractions
Not planning ahead is a common mistake that many students make when doing a residency. They tell their employers, family and friends about the work but do not make it clear that this is an important step in earning an online MBA. This can result in others calling the student every day, even when they’re in their classes or working on a big project. Students will find it helpful to block out all distractions from back home. They should make it clear that they are only available during set hours and that they need to focus on their work.
Make Friends
Taking classes online is a solitary activity. Students will chat with others on an online discussion board. But many miss the camaraderie that comes from working together in a traditional classroom. When students do a residency on a college campus, they have the chance to talk with the same people taking the same online classes. They can make friends and learn more about the job prospects in other parts of the country. The friends they make in these programs can help them find better jobs too.
Look for Networking Opportunities
U.S. News & World Report writer and editor Devon Haynie points out that these programs provide big opportunities for students to network. Those who use these programs the right way can walk out and feel more confident about landing a new job now or in the future. Doing a residency allows students to interact with their peers and their professors, but they’ll also have the chance to network with professionals working in the field and university alumni. Many schools host networking events specifically for alumni and online students.
Conclusion
Online programs can include some offline components that:
- allow students to work together
- meet their online professors in person
- chat with other students as well as alumni
When doing an online MBA with an on-campus residency, it’s important that students use tips like looking at networking opportunities to get the most out of the program.
Related Resources:
