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Zoltan Barcza shares his experience at Stenbeis University's MBA program.
With a career goal of becoming a regional manager in mind, Hungarian Zoltan Barcza enrolled on an MBA at Germany’s Steinbeis University. He speaks with TopMBA.com about his experiences.
“My goal was to be able to develop, build up and manage an organization or activity on an international basis,” says Barcza. “It required certain experience and knowledge and the MBA program I found was a perfect combination for that; it widened my business development experience and it gave me the opportunity to start something from scratch.”
It was the business school program that provided everything Barcza was looking for – the learning and practice to become a successful regional leader. “I already had broad experience in the field of operation and management of existing companies in eastern Europe but I realized that selling and expanding was a basic skill I needed if I wanted to become a general manager one day. Because I knew what I wanted, I wasn’t comparing MBA programs. Instead I was looking for a program that promised exactly what I was looking for.”
Choosing an MBA program is a time-consuming process, so too is preparing to sit the GMAT. There are few lucky MBA candidates out there who can avoid taking this test and Barcza was one of them. “I skipped this battle. For my program, professional background and a willingness from a local firm to support the program counted more. Getting into Steinbeis University was through interviews and my application form, but being accepted wasn’t enough. I also had to find a German company which was about to expand into Eastern Europe, and one that was willing to pay for my tuition fees at the same time.”
That company was Roediger Vacuum GmbH - a Bilfinger Berger Company in Germany, where Barcza is now working as an area manager, covering Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Israel. Operating in a niche market of the utility-building industry, Barcza is responsible for expanding the activities of Roediger to the Eastern European region, including market analysis of new markets; partnership-building with ministries, distributors and designers; direct sales for private investors and community leaders; and ongoing project and key account management.
He said the knowledge he received from his MBA professors was not much more than he could have learnt studying for a Masters of Science in Economics, but it was the way in which it was taught that was most valuable. “Combining real life experience, as well as being involved in 18 parallel international expansion projects led by each of my classmates, has meant my MBA is a real asset.”
Studying in an international environment that many business school programs provide, was one of the best things of Barcza’s MBA experience. “I think choosing an MBA with broad international classmates will guarantee to stretch your brain and cultural sensitivity. The worst thing is to then figure out how to keep in touch with those folks after spreading all around the globe once you’ve finished the program.”
Barcza says the MBA in Hungary is not always a necessity. “Since it is a small country, sometimes relationships and practical experience is more than enough to become a local business leader,” he says. “Once a [Hungarian] company wants to step into the global market, it would need MBAs, but this is rarely happening.”
The other field MBAs are welcome in are international companies seeking local leaders with global thinking, Barcza says. “The degree can be a huge plus that makes a difference if network and experience are equal between two candidates.”
He has graduated with an MBA and is well on his way to reaching his career goal of a regional manager. What advice does this successful graduate have for MBA candidates? “The MBA is a tool, but it is not a money-making magic stick, nor does it make you happy by definition. I suggest taking the time to write down for yourself why you have chosen your MBA program.”
For candidates interested in studying for an MBA, the QS World MBA Tour comes to Budapest on Thursday 19th 25 March.
This article was originally published in
.
It was last updated in
MBA Student Profile: Zoltan Barcza, Steinbeis University
By QS Contributor
Updated UpdatedWith a career goal of becoming a regional manager in mind, Hungarian Zoltan Barcza enrolled on an MBA at Germany’s Steinbeis University. He speaks with TopMBA.com about his experiences.
“My goal was to be able to develop, build up and manage an organization or activity on an international basis,” says Barcza. “It required certain experience and knowledge and the MBA program I found was a perfect combination for that; it widened my business development experience and it gave me the opportunity to start something from scratch.”
It was the business school program that provided everything Barcza was looking for – the learning and practice to become a successful regional leader. “I already had broad experience in the field of operation and management of existing companies in eastern Europe but I realized that selling and expanding was a basic skill I needed if I wanted to become a general manager one day. Because I knew what I wanted, I wasn’t comparing MBA programs. Instead I was looking for a program that promised exactly what I was looking for.”
Choosing an MBA program is a time-consuming process, so too is preparing to sit the GMAT. There are few lucky MBA candidates out there who can avoid taking this test and Barcza was one of them. “I skipped this battle. For my program, professional background and a willingness from a local firm to support the program counted more. Getting into Steinbeis University was through interviews and my application form, but being accepted wasn’t enough. I also had to find a German company which was about to expand into Eastern Europe, and one that was willing to pay for my tuition fees at the same time.”
That company was Roediger Vacuum GmbH - a Bilfinger Berger Company in Germany, where Barcza is now working as an area manager, covering Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Israel. Operating in a niche market of the utility-building industry, Barcza is responsible for expanding the activities of Roediger to the Eastern European region, including market analysis of new markets; partnership-building with ministries, distributors and designers; direct sales for private investors and community leaders; and ongoing project and key account management.
He said the knowledge he received from his MBA professors was not much more than he could have learnt studying for a Masters of Science in Economics, but it was the way in which it was taught that was most valuable. “Combining real life experience, as well as being involved in 18 parallel international expansion projects led by each of my classmates, has meant my MBA is a real asset.”
Studying in an international environment that many business school programs provide, was one of the best things of Barcza’s MBA experience. “I think choosing an MBA with broad international classmates will guarantee to stretch your brain and cultural sensitivity. The worst thing is to then figure out how to keep in touch with those folks after spreading all around the globe once you’ve finished the program.”
Barcza says the MBA in Hungary is not always a necessity. “Since it is a small country, sometimes relationships and practical experience is more than enough to become a local business leader,” he says. “Once a [Hungarian] company wants to step into the global market, it would need MBAs, but this is rarely happening.”
The other field MBAs are welcome in are international companies seeking local leaders with global thinking, Barcza says. “The degree can be a huge plus that makes a difference if network and experience are equal between two candidates.”
He has graduated with an MBA and is well on his way to reaching his career goal of a regional manager. What advice does this successful graduate have for MBA candidates? “The MBA is a tool, but it is not a money-making magic stick, nor does it make you happy by definition. I suggest taking the time to write down for yourself why you have chosen your MBA program.”
For candidates interested in studying for an MBA, the QS World MBA Tour comes to Budapest on Thursday 19th 25 March.
This article was originally published in . It was last updated in
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