EDITOR’S LETTER
TOMORROW’S WORLD: NEW CAREER COMPETENCIES Graduates need a skillset comprising strategic leadership & data fluency to succeed in the workplace
EDITORIAL Head of editorial Colette Doyle c.doyle@amba-bga.com Content editor Tim Banerjee Dhoul t.dhoul@amba-bga.com
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Art editor Sam Price Sub-editor Heather Ford
he future of work is being defined by rapid digital transformation and the emergence of hitherto unexplored skillsets. It’s a hot-button topic and that’s why we recently convened a roundtable comprised of international business school deans to discuss how MBA graduates should shift away from standard operational management towards strategic leadership and data fluency. Graduates will need to be able to translate complex data analytics into clear, actionable strategic vision and ethical decision-making. In addition, they must learn how to integrate sustainability and biodiversity principles into core business models. Employers will also require evidence of demonstrating competencies, ie taking key skills and applying them in high-stakes contexts such as crisis management or international negotiation. Preparing for this requires a conscious shift from passive learning to proactive, experiential skill development. While technical skills are necessary, our panellists agreed that the greatest value will come from human traits such as communication, emotional intelligence and agility. MBA cohorts must gain real-world experience of the competencies they learn on the programme – hence the rise in popularity of internships and capstone projects that involve live industry challenges. Schools are also offering longitudinal skill development programmes, such as skill passports that identify any blind spots, along with AI simulations to run scenarios, with students then spending time in class discussing the results and the decisions made. A “learn to learn” mindset was identified as a crucial element of future career success, as were micro-credentials and cross-skilling. Moreover, students were urged to use the resources offered by their business schools, including paid subscriptions, mentorship and coaching, to maintain a personal development plan that keeps them actively engaged in continuous learning. By blending technical understanding with a sharpened focus on human, ethical and adaptive leadership, MBA graduates can transition from being knowledgeable managers to becoming transformational explorers of the future business landscape.
Insight, content and PR manager Ellen Buchan e.buchan@amba-bga.com
CORPORATE Director of business school engagement Debbie Kemp d.kemp@amba-bga.com
Head of business development – BGA Richard Turner r.turner@amba-bga.com
Commercial relations director Max Braithwaite m.braithwaite@amba-bga.com
Head of marketing and communications Leonora Clement
Senior marketing executive Edward Holmes
Colette Doyle , Editor, Ambition
Head of IT and data management Jack Villanueva
THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS
Head of events Carolyn Armsby
HR and employer relations manager Aarti Bhasin Finance and commercial director Catherine Walker
Chief executive officer Andrew Main Wilson
KARL BAZ
JULIAN CAMPBELL
LUKE CUNNINGHAM
PETER DALY
Executive assistant to the CEO Amy Youngs a.youngs@amba-bga.com ACCREDITATION ENQUIRIES accreditation@amba-bga.com
SOHEIL DAVARI
EMMANUELLE DEGLAIRE
MARTHA LETICIA SILVA-FLORES
FRANCISCO JAVIER VÁZQUEZ JUNIOR
Copyright 2025 by Association of MBAs and Business Graduates Association ISSN 2631-6382 All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. While we take care to ensure that editorial is independent, accurate, objective and relevant for our readers, AMBA accepts no responsibility for reader dissatisfaction rising from the content of this publication. The opinions expressed and advice given are the views of individual commentators and do not necessarily represent the views of AMBA. Whenever an article in this publication is placed with the financial support of an advertiser, partner or sponsor, it will be marked as such. AMBA makes every opportunity to credit photographers but we cannot guarantee every published use of an image will have the contributor’s name. If you believe we have omitted a credit for your image, please email the editor.
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Ambition • ISSUE 6 • 2025 7
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