Alumni Insights
What Alumni Are Saying…
HBS helped prepare you for the future—and it still can. Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned executive, take advantage of Executive Education programs to explore emerging best practices, develop new skills, expand your global perspective, and become a better leader. You also can build a more effective team by sponsoring colleagues for one of over 80 targeted programs. Read on to find out what fellow alumni are saying about their HBS Executive Education experience.
Roger Servison, MBA '69
President, Strategic New Business Development
Fidelity Investments
"In a typical business environment, you might have five minutes to examine an issue and make a decision. Executive Education programs offer the opportunity to step back from the day-to-day, exchange ideas with people from many different careers and industries, and have uninterrupted time to think a problem through—a luxury you seldom get at work or at home.
It was fun to be back on campus. As an alumnus, I was familiar with the teaching methods and knew what to expect. When I started my MBA, I thought professors would tell us the answers, but quickly realized that the point was to try to solve the problem as a group. Executive Education programs take the same approach, illustrating that there are many possible outcomes and no single right answer to a particular problem.
I was impressed with the quality of the professors and their willingness to stay and talk with us after the presentations. The participants were bright, successful people with diverse experiences and a multitude of perspectives."
Paul R. Judy, MBA '57
Chief Executive
Paul R. Judy & Co.
"I was a student 50 years ago. It was great to be back in a classroom environment, in a student living situation, and in a discussion group—to experience the learning method again. Executive Education programs demonstrate how hard HBS professors work to stay at the front line of knowledge, and how they exchange ideas with mature business executives to shape and evolve course materials.
Coming back to HBS was a refreshing experience that I would recommend for all business managers—alumni or not. There's a certain routine that creeps into a manager's day. You get very attuned to your own business, your organization, and your industry. It can be hard to stand back and be truly thoughtful. Some kinds of learning can be done in your business or with industry associations, but this learning is different. At HBS, you can be introspective, contemplate an issue, and exchange ideas with people you've never met before but with whom you have similar concerns. This experience can be an important part of any manager's professional development."