Mg-ed-dv members,
The content of this comes from HRNET. I thought it might be of
value to some of you as you plan your courses for the new terms. DD
From
DINMAR@aol.com Mon Jul 14 13:39:53 1997
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 12:27:45 -0400 (EDT)
From:
DINMAR@aol.com
To: Human Resources Net <
HRNET@cornell.edu>
Subject: summary of MBA skills postings
This is a lengthy message so for those of you not interested in a compilation
of responses to the question of what skills MBA's are required to have,
please disregard this posting now.
I received a number of interesting responses to my original post
#1
amyc@fsg.com, who posted to the entire list stated that the skills
required depended on the core of the business hiring MBAs, however, a few
skills were listed:
* computer literacy (as a must)
- analytical skills
- knowledge of software such as SPSS, SAS, minitab, etc
* solid understanding of what core business the organization is in
* consulting skills (client or non-client)
* presentation skills
* ability to strategize business plans
* ability to streamline corp. infrastructure/methodology
basically, you want a superstar with diverse skills, characteristics and
excellent human relation skills.
#2
dante@innovationline.come also posted to entire net and stated that,
from what they observe as a student, the biggest problem with MBAs today is
the inability to think across functional lines -- this flows from functional
character of instruction.
#3 A response sent directly to me from an HR practitioner in the high tech
industry offered the following thoughts:
* need "solid foundation in tthe theoretical underpinnings of their chosen
profession... The days of an applicant being hired because she was a fast
learner with good communication skills seem to be waning - you still have to
be a fast learner, but you have to start at a point which is well along on
the learning curve.
* For MBAs hired in HR -- should have knowledge of employee relation
principles, employee medical benefits/ERISA; absence and leaves/FMLA;
compensation and job design/FLSA;HRIS; workforce deployment/recruitment; and
employee development (i.e., OSHA type training) -- all regardless as to
whether knowledge was derived from experience or education.
* today, energy needs to accompany the knowledge and vice versa, so, it's
important to reemphasize the theory
* demonstrated project management skills (knowledge of computer based project
management software and calendaring systems)
* continue to probe for good "fit" between applicant and organization/job
From
DINMAR@aol.com Mon Jul 14 13:40:01 1997
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 12:41:56 -0400 (EDT)
From:
DINMAR@aol.com
To: Human Resources Net <
HRNET@cornell.edu>
Subject: more on responses to MBA skills
continuation on the compilation of responses to MBA skills required on the
job:
* coping skills
* tolerance for ambiguity
* decisiveness
* spoken communications
* assertiveness
* energy
* alertness
* analytical problem solving
* written communications
* discipline to stay on task
* team skills
* perceptivity
* creativity
* versatility
* leadership potential
* high level of comfort in today's technological world
- familiarity with cyberspace (AOL, MSN account, participation on
discussion lists)
* knowledge of db, wp, ss, presentation and telecommunication applications
* enthusiasm for the discipline
#4 another direct response offered following line of questioning to help
determine what skills are needed:
* which company are we talking about?
* which manager will student be working for?
* what is the working environment?
* what is the manager's personality?
* what job is the student going to perform?
* what are the student's mental abilities?
* what are the student's interests?
* what are the student's personality traits?
* what are the mental ability demands of the job?
* does the student possess interests that match the job?
* will the student's personality allow for success?
The following advice is also included:
* "employers ought to select their employees based more on their behaviors
than technical skills"
* "skills are necessary but not sufficient to ensure success on the job."
#5 Another direct respondent offered that as an MBA student going into HR,
she ad to know more than HR to be successful. "HR people need to have a very
broad skill/knowledge base... another big area is implementing and managing
change"
Hope the preceding compilation of responses were are helpful to you as they
were to me.
Sandi L. Dinger
School of Management
SUNY Binghamton
______________________
Great Optimism,
Dutch Driver
Dept. of Communication
McMurry University
Abilene, TX
ddriver@cs1.mcm.edu