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How the Benefits of a Global MBA Redefine Career Success

By: Staff
Two students in Cornell’s EMBA Americas boardroom.

A global MBA equips professionals with the strategic insight, cross-cultural perspective, and high-caliber network required to lead in today’s business world. It strengthens your ability to manage complexity, influence across regions, and drive innovation at scale.

Cornell’s Executive MBA Americas program is a globally based EMBA that brings these benefits into reach for ambitious professionals across the Americas and beyond. Designed for those who want to keep advancing while working full-time, this 17-month Ivy League EMBA program combines rigorous academics, live instruction, and global collaboration in a Saturday/Sunday format built for your life and schedule. The program cultivates your leadership skills, broadens your outlook, and connects you with international peers who share your ambition, regardless of where you live.

What is a global executive MBA?

A global executive MBA is the business degree that prepares leaders to navigate international markets, manage global teams, and shape cross-border strategy. It emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and advanced leadership training in a global context.

Cornell’s EMBA Americas program embodies this approach. With live, faculty-led classes every other weekend, available online and from boardroom locations in cities throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, students engage in real-time learning with a multinational cohort. The experience includes four in-person residency sessions and a capstone global business project, offering a great blend of local access and global perspective.

Cornell EMBA student in a virtual class.

Key benefits of a global MBA

The benefits of a global MBA extend well beyond elite academic credentials. This program is designed to elevate your leadership, expand your network, and drive meaningful career growth.

Build a global business perspective

You’ll gain firsthand exposure to business challenges across borders with this global EMBA. Through real-world business challenges on a global scale, immersive team-based projects, and diverse peer collaboration, you’ll strengthen your ability to lead with a global mindset—across cultures and abilities. Hear from our students how Cornell’s program provides a broader perspective.

EMBA STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Join an international network of business leaders

Your classmates will include professionals from across the United States and the world. At Cornell, your cohort is deeply connected and reflects the university’s founding ethos from 1868: “any person … any study.” You’ll join accomplished professionals from major international markets, forming strategic relationships that grow value as your leadership expands. From day one, you’ll engage in intensive, faculty-led collaboration, bridging time zones, industries, and cultures.

Advance your career

Graduates step confidently into leadership roles that span industries and regions, like general managers, product leads, and C-suite executives. This global program helps you lead with clarity and influence across teams, borders, and business functions.

Increase your earning potential

Cornell EMBA Americas alumni regularly advance into more influential roles, accompanied by competitive salary growth and broader leadership responsibility. The program can provide not only a boost in title, but a meaningful step forward in compensation, credibility, and career mobility. While salaries vary, check out these median salaries for EMBA graduates.

Stay flexible while building momentum

Classes take place live every other weekend on Saturday and Sunday, giving you real-time access to world-class faculty and peers while balancing your existing responsibilities and not having to use your vacation days. Whether you join from home or in person, you’ll stay connected, supported, and fully engaged. Our boardroom locations include: Ithaca; Los Angeles; New York City; Seattle; Washington, D.C.; Dallas; Houston; the Bay Area; Mexico City; Monterrey, Mexico; Calgary, Alberta; and Toronto.

What careers can a global executive MBA help you pursue?

An internationally based executive MBA supports experienced executives pursuing leadership in multinational companies and organizations, high-growth firms, and their own ventures.

Potential roles in consulting include:

  • Business process consultant
  • HR (human resources) consultant
  • Management consultant

A global MBA from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business positions you to lead across borders and build long-term career resilience.

EMBA student in a Cornell classroom.

Marketing at a global scale

A global executive MBA equips working professionals to take on a variety of senior global marketing roles, guiding global brand strategy and marketing development.

Sample marketing careers include:

  • Brand manager
  • Chief marketing officer (CMO)
  • Head of digital marketing
  • Marketing manager
  • Product manager
  • Vice president (VP) of global marketing

Leading in the C-Suite

Cornell’s Executive MBA Americas program prepares graduates to lead at the executive level with the vision and adaptability needed for today’s complex business environment. Graduates are prepared for a variety of C-suite roles, including:

  • Chief executive officer (CEO)
  • Chief growth officer (CGO)
  • Chief information officer (CIO)
  • Chief operating officer (COO)
  • Chief revenue officer (CRO)

What sets Cornell’s global EMBA apart

Cornell’s global EMBA offers not only a structure designed for working professionals; it delivers global access, collaborative team-based engagement, and real outcomes.

Live, interactive learning with built-in support

Classes are led in real time, synchronously, by Cornell faculty, with students joining online or from boardrooms across the country. This program format blends ease of access with structure, supporting accountability and real connection.

Cornell students walking in front on Clock Tower on Cornell campus

Hands-on global projects

Students complete two applied projects: one focused on a new venture or consulting, the other a capstone global business project that includes international fieldwork. These projects allow you to put theory into practice while building leadership credibility.

A rigorous, career-relevant curriculum

Over 17 months, you’ll master core business areas like finance, marketing, leadership, strategy, and operations through a curriculum that blends depth with practical application.

Meet alumni who advanced their careers

Farhan Asad MBA ’20 was promoted to senior director and head of architecture while still in the program.

“The program made it possible for me to continue living and working in Silicon Valley and earn my MBA locally. I found it to be the perfect step for my career progression.”

-Farhan Asad MBA ’20

Across industries and geographies, Cornell EMBA Americas alumni are stepping into leadership with purpose and momentum.

Is a Global Executive MBA Worth It?

Yes, a global MBA is worth the investment, especially when the program is built for working professionals with global ambitions. Cornell’s EMBA Americas combines Ivy League instruction, weekend delivery, and a powerful alumni network. It prepares you to advance and lead wherever your profession takes you.

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