“I have friends in both the Executive MBA (EMBA) and PMBA and was considering both, but I was not interested in the international residency that is a requirement in the EMBA program,” he said. “The PMBA looked like it would meet my needs, and it’s already exceeded my expectations.”
Professional Development Seminars help new classmates form strong teams.
After their orientation in early January and prior to beginning their twenty months of course work, the students—numbering 51 and thereby putting the class at full capacity—participated in two days of Professional Development Seminars. The seminars provide the students with “soft skills” to accompany the abundant business background they’ll acquire in their accelerated program.
“The ropes course was one of the best ideas for a group like this,” said Franceschi, who played professional soccer in Venezuela. “It was super secure, and it gave all the students, Perez, and even the trainers the chance to get to know everyone and see the kinds of personalities we have.”
Later in the semester, students will have other professional development seminars , including an additional one focused on careers and one on presentation skills.
As one of the oldest students in the class, Franceschi welcomes the chance to interact with students who are closer to their college years than he is.
At the same time, his seventeen years in his family’s business, which handles all the paper recycling for Florida International University’s campuses, will be a help to his classmates—exactly the kind of interaction the program fosters. Halfway through, the staff will reconfigure the teams, further expanding students’ opportunities to work with people from other backgrounds and with other experiences.
High enrollment underscores value of the program.
The fact that the PMBA, which takes place at the FIU Broward Pines Center on Saturdays, has reached full capacity in just its second year proves that the format has wide appeal. The program requires only four years of professional experience versus the eight required for entrance to the EMBA, and the absence of the mandatory trip makes it more attractive for some people whose preferences and schedules make extended overseas travel difficult.
Giselle Garces is assistant director of the program, and Clark Wheatley, associate professor, School of Accounting, is its faculty director.