Answer 7 Questions to See If You Should Study a Master’s in Global Management

Sponsored by Thunderbird School of Global Management

As global markets are disrupted and new technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence alter the way we live and work, today’s managers, entrepreneurs and business owners are facing challenges never experienced before.

In times of uncertainty and innovation, leaders of global enterprises are met with unprecedented opportunities. To capitalize on such opportunities, decision-makers are having to redefine their expertise in fundamental business, management and financial practices to operate their organizations much more effectively in the global marketplace.

Whether it’s learning to integrate automation and blockchain technology or taking on a new scope such as supply chain management, sustainability, or innovation—staying ahead of the competition means acquiring new skill sets.

For anyone interested in leading transnational businesses or other global enterprises unbounded by borders and cultures, a master’s in global management can be a great way to launch or advance an exciting and rewarding career. It’s designed to prepare you for a world of business and management defined by uncertainty, disruption and opportunity, but how do you know if it’s the right degree for you?

You might want to consider these seven questions…  

Do you want to enhance and broaden your knowledge and understanding of the inner workings 21^st century management and leadership practices?

It may sound challenging, but working in global management can be very rewarding. It can open doors to travel, leading dynamic and diverse teams, as well as collaborating across professions and communities worldwide.

With a degree in global management you’ll have the advanced training that’s needed to provide innovative solutions that create prosperity and improve people’s lives.

The Master of Global Management at Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona develops ethical and agile leaders through cross-cultural, experiential and transdisciplinary learning. Concentrations include global business, global digital transformation, sustainability solutions, public policy, non-profit leadership and management, digital audience strategy, and development & innovation, among others.

From local customs to national policies, you’ll learn about the fundamentals and nuances of optimizing and centralizing your organization’s global strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while enhancing the productivity and effectiveness of the enterprise’s employees – wherever they may be in the world.

Do you want the opportunity to work internationally?

Globalization has fueled the integration of businesses and other organizations that operate worldwide, meaning executives and managers now lead their team (or teams) across regions and continents, cultures and time zones which demands a unique skill set and capabilities.

Working globally presents its own set of exceptional challenges from different laws and industry regulations, taxes, various currencies on the payroll, and other regional nuances or HR-related concerns.

Knowing how to manage such challenges with sensitivity and having high cultural intelligence is essential. The Master of Global Management program provides a depth of learning opportunities at the forefront of emerging global issues and trends, including internships in major companies overseas and consulting projects in developing economies.

Are you prepared to thrive in an interconnected and fast-moving business world?

Leadership roles within global organizations in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors need those who can work efficiently across cultures, languages, countries, borders and varying time zones, especially as technology advances.

The digital age continues to connect individuals and organizations around the world, bridging more divisions which lead to more diverse customer demands as well as new markets and business opportunities for those with the right people skills and technical proficiencies.

Today’s global commerce knows no bounds. To achieve maximum impact as professionals, students must learn to master new environments and lead global teams using the latest technologies that come with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics.

Do you want a ‘future-ready’ managerial skillset?

Tomorrow’s global managers need a transdisciplinary, hands-on, cross-cultural education and skillset that empowers them to transform the management practices of global organizations. The opportunities and challenges in this new era of disrup­tion and rapid change are too complex to be addressed by one specialized discipline or culture.

A master’s in global management offers a focus on developing a future-ready managerial skill set for leading in dynamic settings where disruption is common.

Transdisciplinary

Are you prepared to lead teams comprised of specialists from different disciplines? Can you maximize the contributions of experts from multiple career fields? Global leaders need to harness the transformative power of the Fourth Industrial Revolution by leveraging resources and relevant training across a wide spectrum of disciplines. Thunderbird’s Master of Global Management program features 16 distinct concentrations spanning the range of industries and professions.

Cross-sectoral

Global management is unique in being at the intersection of business, international affairs and public policy. Leaders of global enterprises require cross-sectoral skills in order to shape the dynamic environments impacting their organizations.

Hands-on

Global managers have to be able to lead by doing, and that requires hands-on experience gained through a rigorous curriculum applied in real-world environments. The Master of Global Management at Thunderbird is specifically designed to provide students with practical, hands-on knowledge that allows them to hit the ground running in challenging environments around the world.

Are you multilingual?

The ability to speak more than one language is an often forgotten, yet incredibly valuable asset for a manager in global business and many transnational enterprises.

Global companies, not-for-profits and government agencies with international scopes seek managers who can speak two or more languages to liaise, collaborate and negotiate with critical business partners and stakeholders.

Globalizing your leadership skills by learning another language enables you to take assignments abroad, form important professional relationships and build your customer loyalty base. Master’s in Global Management students at Thunderbird can opt to study a foreign language to increase their capacity to master new business settings and lead global teams.

Do you plan to lead your own company or other organization in the future?

Studying global management doesn’t just set you on a career trajectory that’s destined for the C-suite level of a multinational corporation. For aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners, global not-for-profit managers, and government administrators, the skills and knowledge acquired from a global management master’s will also be of massive value.

Applied and hands-on learning opportunities are becoming an integral part of the business and management school curriculums, giving students the chance to capture insights from industry leaders in the private and public sectors through workshops, events, case studies and work placements.   

Do you want to contribute to the planet’s economic and social wellbeing?

Professionals in global management are positioned to make a difference – and a master’s in global management can prepare you to lead an international business, not-for-profit or government agency.

For example, many are leading their employer’s efforts to align with and advance the Sustainable Development Goals – the UN’s road map for building a better world for all its residents. Whether pursuing a leadership role in business, government, or civil society, a master’s in global management prepares you to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges.