Impact of mid-career education in a transforming work context and future implications for the executive education program

Abstract

Work and the workplace have been frequently reshaping under the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic and the evolving disruptive digital trends. Continuous learning and gaining new trending skills is the only way to thrive in the competitive world. Over the decades, executive education programs have prepared mid-career professionals for future challenges both personally and professionally. The study focuses on understanding the impact of executive education programs on the careers of mid-career professionals. We examine the reason for professionals acquiring executive education, post-program benefits gained in the form of career outcomes, and program effectiveness in meeting expectations. We collected inputs from the study participants through a post-program questionnaire to enhance executive education programs to meet the future global labor needs. The questionnaire was designed using the inputs derived from qualitative interviews of program alumni. The collated online survey responses of 120 executives who had attended a specific executive education program in the past 10 years were used for data analysis. Finally, we conducted two focus group discussions with senior executives from large conglomerates to gain new insights on the impact of executive education on their careers. Findings revealed that successful executives struggle in self-profiling for career progression and transitions to thrive in a steadily transforming environment. The executives enroll in such executive education programs to gain occupational expertise, aspire for future roles, achieve personal goals related to self-branding, gain confidence, and importantly, continue to reap the benefits from lifelong enhanced peer networking. This study is significant as it examines the expectations from executive education programs and their impact in the Indian context, provides insights into its strengths, impacts on career outcomes, and implications for re-crafting future executive education programs.