Spring/Summer 2003 - Technological Leadership Institute

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FULL SPEEDAHEADWhat happens to alumni after they receivetheir master of science degree in themanagement of technology (MOT)? Dothey assume greater management responsibilities?Do they make more money? Arethey more valuable to their companies?Surveyreveals thatMOT alumnicontinue toadvanceBased on the results of a survey of MOTalumni, the answers to those questions are aresounding “yes.”The Center for the Development of TechnologicalLeadership (CDTL), which administers theprogram, conducted a survey in 2002 withresponses from 65 percent of the alumni inthe classes of 1992 to 1999. CDTL previouslysurveyed alumni in 1997.“We began surveying alumni to learn moreabout what they thought of the program and howit helped them,” says Rose Jones, CDTL associatedirector. “The information helps us measure theeffectiveness of the program and plan forimprovements and new directions.”Higher and happierSo what does happen to alumni after theygraduate? According to the survey, many alumnifind themselves making advances in their careersand in their salaries:• At the start of the program, 32 percent enteredthe program as managers. In contrast, 44percent currently hold management positions.In addition, 15 percent reached the executivelevel, compared to only a few who entered theprogram as vice presidents or chief executiveofficers.• Compared to only 8 percent of alumni at thestart of the program, 79 percent of currentalumni earn $90,000 or more. The majorityremained at or above the median salaryfor individuals in engineering managementpositions statewide (Minnesota WorkforceCenter System, Quarter 4, 2002, Report).More alumni now than in the 1997 study alsoreported working in positions related to themanagement of technology and finding satisfactionwith their positions.• In the 1997 survey, 64 percent were employedin positions that related either highly or veryhighly to the MOT program, compared with 75percent in the most recent survey.• Job satisfaction increased from 76 percent in1997 to 80 percent in 2002.An interesting transformation seems to happenduring and after the time that alumni spend inthe program.While 54 percent of alumni reported beingsatisfied or very satisfied with their jobs at thestart of the program, 80 percent of alumnireported satisfaction with their current job—ajump of 26 percent.“It’s not surprising to me that satisfactionincreases,” says Jones. “For many alumni, theMOT program opens new doors—whether thatresults in a new position, assignment to interestingand more complex projects, or additionalresponsibilities.”Same organization, new roleMany organizations send candidates to theMOT program as a way to further develop theleadership abilities of high-potential employees.In turn, the vast majority of MOT alumni—69 percent—staywith the organization that supportedthem during their MOT program, often receivingpromotions and salary increases. On average, thealumni reported making 2.6 job changes sinceleaving MOT, with the majority citing a chancefor increased responsibility as the reason.“Organizations recognize the value that theknowledge gained in an MOT program brings,”says Jones. “MOT alumni leave the programready for new challenges, and organizations wantthem to make use of that knowledge. It’s a winwinsituation.”On-the-job relevanceMOT impacted several key areas of their currentjobs in an important or very important way,according to alumni who completed the survey.Those areas include:• Strategic management (83 percent said MOTwas important or very important in preparingfor this area of their current job)6 CenterPoint
• Leadership (79 percent)• Critical thinking (77 percent)• General management (76 percent)• Collaboration (71 percent)In general, 82 percent reported that MOTwas important or very important in developingskills for their current job, and 91 percentsaid that the program was important or veryimportant in developing skills for their careerpath.Who respondedIn 2002, CDTL surveyed 224 management of technology (MOT) alumnifrom the classes of 1992 to 1999, with 147 responding. Survey resultsreveal the following information about those MOT alumni.AGE31 – 35 • 8%36 – 45 • 59%Strengths and opportunitiesOverall, MOT alumni rate the programhighly, with 90 percent saying they weresatisfied with the program and 89 percentsaying that they would recommend it toothers.“I thought the greatest strength was theway the typical business concepts andinstruction was focused on technology companies,”wrote one alumnus. “The emphasison technology made the program significantlymore relevant than a standard MBAprogram.”Alumni identified the following attributesas the program’s strongest points:• Class discussions, quality of the students,study groups, student cohorts, connectionsto classmates after graduation• Excellent quality of faculty, diversity offaculty, connection of faculty to theCarlson School of Management• Breadth of program, breadth of coursework, connection of course work totechnology, leadership, and businessThey also cited several areas that they feltcould improve:• Awareness of the program or itssignificance in some segments of thebusiness technology sector• Time commitment; the capstonerequirementNext stepsCDTL will continue to analyze informationfrom the study as it looks for ways toimprove the MOT program.“The study tells us that we are deliveringwhat professionals need to take them to thenext level,” says Jones. “We are fortunate tohave alumni who are willing to share theirideas and to stay connected with us. Withtheir help, we can continue to makeimprovements.”Look for a summary report on CDTL’sweb site at www.cdtl.umn.edu. Click on“2002 MOT Follow-Up Study.”UNDERGRADUATE MAJORSINDUSTRYCORE BUSINESSESCOMPANY SIZE (employees)46 – 55 • 31%55+ • 2%Electrical Engineering • 26%Mechanical Engineering • 22%Chemical Engineering • 15%Chemistry/Physics • 10%Other • 27%Manufacturing • 65%Government • 6%Software Development • 5%Consulting • 5%Education • 4%Other • 16%Computer/Electronic Equipment • 18%Defense Systems • 11%Industrial Machinery/Equipment • 8%Chemical/Allied Products • 7%Surgical/Medical Instruments • 7%Information Systems • 4%Healthcare Services • 4%Instruments/Related Products • 3%Other • 32%0 – 49 • 10%50 – 100 • 2%100 – 249 • 1%250 – 499 • 9%500 – 2500 • 10%2500+ • 68%Spring/Summer 2003 7
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Spring/Summer 2003 - Technological Leadership Institute

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