GEN Z & THE 2030 MBA
For Dal Pont, the more pertinent issue here is knowledge transfer. “There’s so much movement, and it’s not just generational,” she explains. People are moving around more – changing departments, companies and industries, as well as taking career breaks to return to learning. When someone moves “they take a richness of knowledge with them” and that leaves a data gap. To address this, businesses must become more agile and develop “an organic, constantly evolving system that adapts to this dynamic flow of talent”. The flip side of this greater mobility is that Gen Zers “will have to understand how to speak the language of many different departments and businesses”, according to Dal Pont. This is where an MBA can be invaluable – by helping students to cultivate softer skills such as empathy and adaptability, thereby enabling them “to become almost a translator” with highly desirable transferable knowledge. Providing a blended experience With Gen Z, there’s a certain expectation that information will be instantly available and also tailored to their personal requirements. “They want the computer to give them the answer and for the whole package to be wrapped up, tailored and immediate,” Dal Pont remarks. “As far as being online goes, I’m still very much a fan of blended learning,” she states. In fact, GEM is planning a blended, part-time MBA programme that will start in September 2025. Dal Pont believes that fully online learning is not ideal for MBA students, as it doesn’t deliver the same focused, immersive experience that proves to be so transformative for participants. “How can we expect people staring at a screen to focus when we’re all so distracted?” she asks. “How many times have you watched a movie while checking your phone?” Rather than concentrating on a single task, we’re often multi-tasking. She adds that, in order to appeal to the latest generation of students, MBA programmes could consider shortening the duration of classes and offering courses structured in bite-sized components. This approach enables flexible learning, as the courses can be accessed by the student over time as required.
However, there is a downside to this mode of learning. “It’s difficult to stay dedicated for that long at this high level, especially for Gen Z,” she points out. For this reason, Dal Pont believes full-time and in-person learning provides students with greater structure and motivation. Developing a symbiotic relationship Gen Zers are “demanding more and more applied, experiential training”, according to Dal Pont. “They’re pragmatic. They want to go from ‘I’ve got it’ to ‘now how do I apply it?’ – and fast.” That’s why company visits, industry speakers, strategic games and live business cases are an integral part of GEM’s MBA programmes. “These are all the types of experiences they expect,” maintains Dal Pont. Indeed, the school is planning a new tech-focused MBA with microelectronics and energy specialisations and will be collaborating on this programme with the CEA (a French public government‑funded research organisation with international reach). For Dal Pont, it’s essential for business schools “to leverage their ecosystem effectively to satisfy demand for real‑world learning experiences”. In addition, she notes that “companies may consider sponsoring MBA programmes”. This makes sense from a business perspective “if a company is lacking the right hires”. By aligning themselves with a programme, they are well placed to spot promising candidates. While the focus needs to prioritise ethically sound pedagogy, Dal Pont says that it can be a “symbiotic relationship” that benefits both parties. “We need to have our finger on the pulse and businesses do too, so these collaborations increasingly make sense.” For Dal Pont, the challenge for business schools lies in how to meet Gen Z’s high expectations while also preparing them effectively for the rapidly evolving workplace. This involves offering flexible, engaging and authentic learning experiences that not only demonstrate immediate value, but also deliver significant long-term returns on investment.
BIOGRAPHY Originally from San Francisco, Chahndra Dal Pont is passionate about diversity, sustainability and client-focused innovation. She is the MBA programme director at GEM, as well as an alumna of the school. With a background in psychology from UC Davis and 15 years spent managing teams in finance and education, her focus is to drive impactful leadership development and strategy in executive training
Ambition | DECEMBER 2024 | 33
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