How I Secured Employer Support for My EMBA

Abdulaziz Alayed, ’24, works as deputy head of investments and debt capital markets at a leading national corporate bank in Saudi Arabia and recently earned his Executive MBA at Booth’s London campus. We spoke with him about what drew him to Chicago Booth and how he gained sponsorship from his company to enroll in the program.

Before approaching your employer for support, it’s important to understand exactly what you are asking for and how you expect an MBA to add value for both you and your company. How did you decide that an MBA was essential for your career?

For me, it was about gaining the managerial skills I needed to move up in my career. I have a technical background and a CFA certificate, and I feel confident about my quantitative skills. However, there are certain communication skills that are necessary to move up the corporate ladder and position myself as a top candidate when a leadership position opens up.

How did you decide that Booth’s Executive MBA was the right program for you? 

My goal was to find a rigorous program that would allow me to continue working, which led me to look at executive MBA programs. One reason I chose Booth is that the program structure offered a lot of flexibility. Also, I loved the diverse cohort experience in London—the global weeks were a tremendous opportunity to enhance my network and get different points of view from around the world. Finally, the Booth faculty are very impressive and have great expertise to share.

Were your colleagues and supervisors supportive of your pursuit of an EMBA?

Many people in banking are familiar with Chicago Booth, which was very helpful when I started talking to my colleagues and supervisors about getting an MBA. I found a lot of support based on Booth’s strong reputation for finance.

How did you approach your employer about sponsoring your Executive MBA studies?

As soon as I was accepted to the program, I set up a series of meetings with important stakeholders. During those meetings, I provided specific details about the calendar of the program, the amount of time I would need to spend abroad, and the rigor of the program. I was also transparent about my time during class weeks, explaining that I would not be working remotely but focusing solely on class.

That’s how I gained support for time away to do the program. The financial support piece took a few months to negotiate, so I began the program not knowing whether I would get it. But I developed a case for support, presented it to the management team, and briefed them thoroughly on the program. In particular, I highlighted the strong academics and the faculty I would meet—some of them Nobel laureates and industry titans. I also leaned heavily into Chicago Booth’s high rankings and the prestige associated with the University of Chicago. After that meeting and some additional discussions, my company agreed to cover 25 to 30 percent of the cost of the program.

What unique value are you bringing your company because of your MBA?

I rely on Booth concepts, frameworks, and insights on a regular basis in my day-to-day work. For example, the knowledge I gained in my distressed debt course is particularly relevant to my function at the bank. In addition, I built a strong set of soft skills, such as the ability to manage multiple goals and tasks at once, and to efficiently split my time between classes and day-to-day responsibilities. Above all, I gained a unique perspective on managerial techniques and communication skills.

What advice do you have for future Boothies seeking employer sponsorship?

Be transparent about the requirements of the program and how your studies will affect your day-to-day work life. Also, be sure to emphasize both the value of a Booth MBA and the skills and knowledge you will bring to your company as a Booth graduate. And start the dialogue early—approach your employer as soon as possible after you get accepted, because it could take time to manage expectations.