Hybrid MBA Program Experience: Study Teams

Today’s blog post is the third in a series of blog posts that will shed light on the Hybrid MBA Program experience. This series will focus on a variety of topics, including the Immersions, Foster Live sessions, on-campus activities, study teams, career management resources and more.  This week’s topic: study teams. 

No one is as smart as all of us.”

-Kenneth H. Blanchard

As a student in the Hybrid MBA Program you will be part of an intellectually curious, academically-proven and professionally-driven class cohort. You will also be part of a small, collaborative study team comprised of 6-7 students. The study teams are formed by the Hybrid MBA Program leadership team and are created with a variety of factors in mind: job function, organization, academic background, time zones, program goals, and years of work experience. Each team will stay intact throughout the program.

Why are MBA study teams important?

1. Study teams provide support.
   Each student will be entering the program with an already “full life load”. Learning to balance school in addition is an experience few will understand. With the help of your study team, you’ll develop camaraderie and gain help when you need it most.
2. Study teams provide new and different perspectives.
   The diverse set of perspectives, backgrounds, cultures and business experiences will add to your education and professional growth. Team discussions, projects and papers will reflect the richness of your teams’ collective contribution and provide a mechanism for a healthy exchange of ideas.
3. Study teams allow students to practice communication, negotiation, leadership and team-building skills.
   Whether it is by negotiating workload, facilitating meetings or facilitating healthy debate, the study team dynamic is a place you can take what you know already and build on it so that you can become a better manager and leader in your organization.

Study team assignments are made three weeks before the start of the first quarter. During the first Immersion, students will be exposed to content in team dynamics, learn about quarterly team coaching sessions and begin to build a team charter.  The team charter addresses how your team will work together, meeting times, expectations, etc. and will be revisited several times throughout the program.

One last thing regarding study teams — you’ll spend a lot of time together, so it’s important to have fun along the way!