IMAGINE working a regular full-time job while also tackling a full-time graduate degree program. That's what the University of Hawaii's two-year Executive MBA program demands. It's a tough course with many prominent alumni, including Bob Fishman of Hawaiian Airlines, Brenda Lei Foster of the Governor's staff and DeeJay Mailer of Kaiser. The Hawaii brain drain
EMBA is now in its third decade with its 11th class -- a new class is convened every two years, starting with EMBA I back in the late '70s. My wife, Mary, was in EMBA IX, a class of 22 that graduated in 1995.
No one gets through two years of double-full-time, mid-career studies without a support system. In retrospect, it's not surprising that EMBA IX's 22 overachieving classmates, spouses, significant others, parents, professors, aunties and kids, became a close-knit extended family. Bonds forged in all-night study-group sessions are strong ones.
Since EMBA IX began, virtually every member has won a promotion or new job. The class has celebrated these accomplishments -- along with seven weddings and two births.
Despite EMBA's network of influential contacts in the local business community, almost one out of three of the 1995 graduates found better career opportunities outside Hawaii.
After just three years, seven members of our EMBA IX family have left, taking with them skills, experience and knowledge Hawaii's economy needs. We miss them.
John Flanagan is editor and publisher of the Star-Bulletin.
To reach him call 525-8612, fax to 523-8509, send
e-mail to publisher@starbulletin.com or write to
P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802.