How to convince your employer to support your master studies?
First-hand advice from recruiters, alumni, and students
Have you been thinking about deepening your management knowledge while keeping the benefits of a full-time job? A part-time Master’s or part-time MBA program can do just that. However, there’s still one challenge to master before you take the next step in your educational journey. You need to convince your employer to support your master’s studies.
How to receive support for master studies from an employer
You are probably keen on figuring out exactly HOW you can get your employer on your side. Of course, you don’t want to appear ungrateful or like you don’t enjoy your work. You’ll also want to avoid asking too early in your work relationship or running out of reasons why a part-time program is also of value to the company. On top of it, it might seem a little unclear what the unspoken company laws are of communicating such a big ask of your employer.
I think it’s important to go in with a clear view of how you are planning to balance things. Because it does become a balancing act.
Prepare for the meeting to avoid these mistakes
There’s always the option of hoping for the best and winging it. Doing a little research online and jotting down a few plus points in your mind. That might work. But more likely it will land you in an uncomfortable situation of not knowing exactly how to push your point. Worse case it might make you look rather unprofessional.
10 Questions to Prepare Your Part-Time Studies Pitch
- What level of support already exists?
- Who will be making the decision?
- How does the program fit into my career development?
- How does the program match the needs of the business?
- Am I prepared to resolve any concerns that may arise?
- Why HHL’s part-time M.Sc. in Management or part-time MBA?
- What commitment am I asking for?
- What commitment am I prepared to give?
- Do I have all my facts assembled?
- Am I prepared to persevere?
Let’s save you that struggle! We have a webinar packed with advice and facts to help you to elevate your career.
We got you covered: A webinar filled with advice and facts
We asked part-time Master in Management student Jonathan Lang, and part-time MBA student Lené Viehweg to tell us how they succeeded in convincing their employer. Not only that, but we also asked the program managers to join the conversation, adding their experience and guiding you through 10 frequently asked questions.
Sign up to access the replay of the FREE webinar to hear exactly what worked (and didn’t work) for HHL students who successfully got their employers on board.
Hi there! I´m Julia, program consultant for the Part-time Master in Management programs at HHL. After living in Berlin for several years and working in a publishing house, I moved back to my beautiful hometown of Leipzig in 2017 and joined the HHL community in the Program Marketing team. Since then, I enjoy welcoming a select group of outstanding students to our Leipzig campus every year. If you are interested in joining our Part-time M.Sc. programs, including the General Management and Finance Track, I am more than happy to help you and answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact me!
