MBA Alumni Profile: Florence Klein, TRIUM Global Executive MBA

Florence Klein describes her Executive MBA experience as the greatest thing she ever did for herself. "It is a real commitment," says the French TV anchor and senior editor. "Like a job or a relationship, [it's] a two-year period where your life changes and you have to know that you will never be the same."

Klein's educational background was in international political science and law; her professional background was as the anchor of a TV show on Bloomberg in France. It was at this stage in her career that she wanted to find a high-level, yet practical curriculum, in international business so she turned to the Executive MBA.

"I knew I wanted to do an MBA, but I had three imperatives," she says. "The first was professional. I had a successful career in France on TV, which is not a job where you can say, "Okay, I'm leaving for 18 months, I will be back, please save my seat". Eighteen months in TV is like a century! But I wasn't ready to give up on my idea of an MBA, so an EMBA that allowed me to continue my job and complete my studies at the same time was a great opportunity."

Klein's second imperative was that she was looking for a truly international program that would reflect the reality of globalization. "I really feel that if you miss this trend you will be left behind," she says. Her third was a program at a prestigious university.

Developing survival skills

Interviewing heads of state makes for an exciting, yet stressful career. However, Klein's experience as a broadcast journalist equipped her well for the business school classroom - or so she thought. "An EMBA is a transformative experience," she says. "You grow up a lot by being exposed to so many cultures, so much high-quality information, and pressure.

"Even though all of us had stressful careers with long hours, no-one could imagine we had the inner resources to do it all. You have to develop survival skills to give your best everywhere - in your studies and of course at your job."

For Klein, the confidence building aspect of the EMBA was a critical factor. "It has helped me grow in my job, but also make the right decisions in my investments and career orientation. Of course, the other lasting benefits are the level of quality information you acquire, which elevates your decision-making process and increases your confidence about moving ahead with your projects. You just know that you can do it; that you have the keys."

Over half a decade on and the Executive MBA still has an impact on Klein - and in unforeseen places. "The most unexpected effect was on my daughters who were very young at the time," recalls Klein. "I knew they would suffer as I had been really present in their everyday life. I decided to share this long experience with them and explain why and how I was doing an EMBA and that mummy was going to school like they were.

"They were very supportive and it really helped me. In fact, the joke in class was that when we were tired or when we had tough moments, my classmates would say: "Call your daughters." The lasting effect for them was that they really came to understand how you have to work at school and career objectives. My eldest daughter is now studying finance and really wants to do an MBA."

The balancing act

As a women stepping into the EMBA classroom, Klein says it is a very personal decision. "Postponing it unintentionally might set limits on your aspirations and career," she warns. "Of course, if she has family, a woman has to be very organized and thoughtful about this decision. In my case, I tried to lead as normal a life as possible with my children. I had to communicate when I had to go do homework as being similar to when they had to do homework. Although this meant sacrificing sleep, lunchtime, and free time, it also set an example to them that I viewed learning as very important, not just for them, but also for me.

"In a way I did not expect, being a student again helped understand my daughters' lives better. We related very directly on homework assignments and pressures.

"Years later, my daughters remember when I was a student and watching me graduate in the beautiful 14th Century hall near the LSE (London School of Economics and Political Science). It has set an understanding between us that you are never too old to follow your dreams."