Marie-Claire AssekoA Little Bit of Background
Towards the end of 2023, I started to prepare to apply for MBA programs. I attended MBA information sessions, networked with alumni and coordinators of my target programs, and started to study towards my GMAT, etc. I also joined groups for MBA candidates. I did everything I could to know what I was wanting to get myself into, to prepare for it, and to eventually succeed at it. Then, for personal reasons, I had to put my MBA project on the back burner, but oh boy did I learn a lot more than I anticipated in that process! 🤯
What I want to dive into today is something I noticed through these many conversations, what I came to call the 3 Gates Theory.
In a nutshell, I noticed that there are 3 gates that are linked to someone’s success:
- The Network 🛜 gate (combining Education and Employer);
- The Money 💰 gate, and;
- The Reputation 🔊 gate.
These gates are not isolated mechanisms. On the contrary I find that they reflect deeply embedded societal structures we’ve all integrated. In my opinion, that’s why anyone who’s able to get to 2 of these 3 gates can typically get access to the third, and basically seal their path onto wealth, recognition, and prestige.
The 3 Gates Theory: The Network Gate
The Network gate reflects how social capital plays a defining role in professional success. It is a combination of Education and Employer.
On the one hand, regardless of the continent, where you studied is a great catalyst to your career and greatly influences the worth of your network. Furthermore, depending on the country, the school you went to may start to matter as soon as kindergarten or as late as the MBA or even Ph.D. This is because based on the school you went to, you get exposed to educational opportunities that others may not even exist.
There are fascinating studies about information asymmetry in education (i.e. some parties have more information than others about educational opportunities; knowledge that influences decisions across the board) and how school does not equalize but rather further justifies and ingrains social differences in us.
On the other hand, each stage of your education path gives you access to networks of peers, mentors, and senior professionals with varying levels of power, status, and influence. They can provide support, opportunities and introductions. These relationships often determine career trajectories, echoing the Social Capital theory’s emphasis on the power of networks to create upward mobility.
For instance, they can facilitate 📞 your hiring at a specific employer. Typically, a company of the same standing as the school you went to, or maybe higher if you were able to network your way up through internships and extracurricular activities. Being hired by such a company then perpetuates or reinforces 🔁 your place in the associated social bracket.
So, regardless of whether it starts early in life or later, the Network gate establishes connections that can elevate your professional and social standing.
The 3 Gates Theory: The Money Gate
The Money gate underscores the interplay between economic capital and access to education and career opportunities, as highlighted in the Human Capital theory. Without a doubt, it acts as both a facilitator and a barrier in the MBA journey. Indeed, tuition fees and associated costs—including accommodation, travel, and living costs—can range from $100,000 to $250,000 depending on the MBA program. For many, this is a significant hurdle.
Scholarships and grants do offer some relief, but the financial commitment remains prohibitive for the majority. At the same time, this financial barrier also demonstrates the transformative potential of financial investment in enhancing economic outcomes. That’s where the Network Gate intersects with the Money Gate, particularly through Employer sponsorships 🫴🏾. These sponsorships serve as critical bridges by providing financial support to promising candidates—a practical example of how different forms of capital work together to open doors.
Even then, these employers are not just any employers. They’re typically prestigious 🌠 or highly-profitable 📈 companies. Companies that recognize the value of an MBA for leadership development, how the MBA credential will impact their ability to bill their clients (e.g. the Big Four); hence they are willing to sponsor high-potential employees. Sponsorships alleviate the financial burden, allowing individuals to focus on their studies.
Additionally, employer sponsorships often come with mentorship opportunities and post-graduation roles; further reinforcing the Network Gate’s impact on the Money Gate, i.e. financial accessibility.
The 3 Gates Theory: The Reputation Gate
As you know, reputation precedes an individual and shapes how they are perceived. It’s a currency in its own right, influencing admissions, networking opportunities, and career progression. This aligns with the Signaling Theory in social interactions (i.e. an unobserved fact can be a quality of the sender the receiver would like to know and act upon) and Pierre Bourdieu’s notion of cultural capital, where intangible qualities like prestige and credibility become critical assets.
He considered social and cultural capital to be “disguised forms of economic capital.”💡
The beauty of reputation lies in its adaptability; it’s never too late for you to build or refine one. However, it’s also fragile, taking years to develop and a few moments to destroy.
A strong reputation—whether it stems from reliability, innovation, or thought leadership—can compensate for weaker credentials in other areas. It acts as a signal to admissions committees (MBA admissions often value leadership qualities, community impact, and professional accomplishments), employers, and peers; reflecting the competencies and potential of an individual.
✨Another illustration of how signaling and cultural capital influence professional advancement.🌟
By cultivating a strong reputation ahead of your MBA application, you can craft a compelling personal and professional narrative. During the program, reputation plays a critical role in group dynamics, networking events, and internships, positioning individuals for better post-MBA opportunities.
The 3 Gates Theory in Your MBA Journey
Gate #1 – The Network Gate
Networking, a tangible application of the Social Capital theory, is indispensable in every phase of the MBA journey.
- First, it’s a tool to gain insights into target programs, refine application strategies, and secure recommendation letters.
- Talking with alumni, recruiters or coaches of MBA programs has been invaluable in helping me decide which program was the most suitable 🫂 for me.
- Alumni from my target programs but also other MBA graduates helped me tweak my applications’ essays. They also pushed me to tap into parts of my personal story I did not know were beneficial to my overall storytelling 💭.
- During your MBA program, networking fosters collaboration, opens internship opportunities, and enhances classroom learning.
- There are so many students in most MBA programs, and so much going on (business trips, projects, career fairs, etc.) packed in a very short timeframe that I was told by one graduate: “you have to choose who you want to be during your program: the party folk? the nerd type? or the strategic hybrid?” 🤔
- If your target MBA has several campuses, it is critical to end the program at the one campus most aligned with your professional or entrepreneurial goals and aspirations. Otherwise, you might unlock admittedly great yet inadequate 😕 opportunities.
- Post-graduation, a robust network, built with other students but also external speakers and people you met throughout, translates into access to high(er)-quality job opportunities and entrepreneurial collaborations.
The strength and diversity of an MBA network often contribute
to the appeal and the long-term value of the program.
Gate #2 – The Money Gate
The Money gate’s influence extends beyond covering tuition.
It often determines the program tier a candidate can access. High-ranking programs with extensive alumni networks and global opportunities tend to have higher costs.
Proponents argue that these expensive programs offer unparalleled resources, renowned faculty, and access to elite networks, which translate into higher starting salaries 🤑 and better leadership roles for graduates. On the flip side, critics point out that lower-cost programs can provide comparable education and outcomes if leveraged strategically 🤓, such as through networking and internship opportunities.
Ultimately, the decision depends on individual priorities and goals. It’s up to you to weigh ⚖️ the prestige and resources of a more expensive program against your financial situation and long-term aspirations. Of course, leveraging financial aid options, employer sponsorships, and external funding can maximize accessibility and ensure the program’s value outweighs its cost.
It’s critical that you reflect on what matters most to you: Is it global exposure, access to specific industries, or affordability?
By considering these factors, you can determine the right investment for your MBA journey.
Gate #3 – The Reputation Gate
Managing reputation before, during, and after an MBA program is paramount.
- Before applying, ensure your digital 🤳🏾 presence—LinkedIn profiles, personal websites, or publications—reflects your ambitions.
- During the program, cultivate 🌴 your reputation through active participation in classes and extracurricular activities, ethical conduct, and impactful contributions to group projects.
- By maintaining strong professional and personal branding 😌, you can translate your MBA experiences and connections into enhanced career or entrepreneurial opportunities.
What to Do if You Have Access to Only One Gate?
Leverage Your Network to Get to the Money & Reputation Gates
A strong network can unlock 🔐 financial and reputational opportunities. For instance:
- Alumni connections may guide you toward scholarships, grants, or employer sponsorships.
- A well-connected network provides you with platforms to amplify your reputation, such as referrals for speaking engagements or leadership roles.
Use Your Money to Get to the Network & Reputation Gates
Simply put: Money is the sinews of war.
- Sufficient financial resources can enable your enrollment in prestigious programs, automatically granting access to elite networks.
- Participation in high-profile events, international exchanges, and specialized courses will further enhance your reputation and visibility, creating a positive feedback loop.
Your Reputation as a Key to the Network & Money Gates
You can’t buy a good reputation; you must earn it.
Harvey Mackay
- Building a solid reputation can help you attract sponsors, endorsements, and scholarships, mitigating financial barriers.
- A strong and positive reputation also fosters trust and credibility within professional circles, facilitating your access to influential networks.
By strategically showcasing your reputation, you can navigate through the other gates, setting yourself up for sustained success.
Stop, Think, Act on the 3 Gates Theory
As you reflect on the 3 Gates Theory, take a moment to identify how these 3 gates materialize in your own life:
- Are you leveraging your network to its fullest potential?
- Are there financial resources or sponsorships you could explore?
- Is your reputation aligned with your aspirations?
Strategizing ways to access these gates can create pathways to wealth, recognition, and prestige.
TL;DR – Want to Unlock Success? Understand The 3 Gates Theory
What if success hinged on mastering three critical gates: Network, Money, and Reputation?
The Gate Theory explores how these interconnected gates pave the way to wealth, recognition, and career growth. By leveraging social capital, financial resources, and personal branding, you can strategically unlock opportunities and overcome barriers. Whether through networking, employer sponsorships, or building a strong professional reputation, each gate complements the others, creating a roadmap to personal and professional achievement.
Moreover, consider how these gates are evolving in the modern world. The rise of the creator economy, the knowledge economy, and influencer marketing has introduced new avenues to success that don’t always follow traditional paths 🍃🌬️💨. Indeed, building a strong personal brand online, creating valuable content, or cultivating niche expertise are redefining access to wealth and influence. MBA candidates and professionals navigating today’s shifting landscape have to take that into account.
This conversation is far from over. How do you see these gates shifting in your industry or community? How might you position yourself to thrive in this changing landscape?
Let’s discuss. 🫡
