FBS Leadership Insight: Beyond the Degree: What Multinationals Really Want from Master’s Degree Graduates
Education
A master’s degree will get you into the interview room.
But only your skills, character, and adaptability will make multinationals want you to stay.
In this article, FBS alumnus Ntongwe Enongene shares what global employers are really looking for, and how master’s graduates can stand out.
The world of work is shifting at an incredible pace. While academic qualifications—especially a master’s degree—still carry weight, they are no longer enough to guarantee success in today’s highly competitive and global job market. Multinational companies are increasingly searching for more than certificates. They want employees who bring problem-solving skills, adaptability, and character to the table.
At FUNIC Business School, we recently had the privilege of listening to Ntongwe Enongene, alumnus of the MBA in International Business program. Drawing from his personal journey, Enongene shared what it really takes for master’s degree holders to transition from the classroom to thriving careers in multinational organizations.
“Your Master’s Degree Gets You in the Door, But Skills Keep You There”
In his words: “You need a master’s degree to get you into the interview room, but you need skills and competencies to get the welcome to stay in the company.” According to Enongene, a degree is an entry ticket, but what sustains a career is the ability to add value consistently.
What Do Multinational Employers Want?
Answering this question directly, Enongene highlighted five key areas that multinationals expect from today’s professionals with advanced degrees:
Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills: The ability to analyze situations, think on your feet, and provide workable solutions.
Cross-Cultural Communication Skills: “One of my MBA specialization courses at FUNIC Business School was Cross-Cultural Communication, and it equipped me to thrive in international teams,” he shared.
Digital Literacy: As the world rapidly digitalizes, professionals must keep up with emerging tools, data-driven decision-making, and tech-enabled business practices.
Leadership and Collaboration: Multinationals value leaders who can also work effectively in teams, uniting diverse people around shared goals.
Resilience and Adaptability: In fast-changing markets, the ability to adapt and bounce back from challenges is a non-negotiable skill.
His key message: “It’s not about the degree, but about the skills the degree helps us to acquire.”
How to Position Yourself for Multinational Careers
So, how can master’s degree holders ensure their skills are noticed and valued by global employers? Enongene offered practical advice:
- Align your skills with global trends in your industry. Don’t just know your field—understand where it’s going.
- Develop soft skills such as communication, networking, and customer relationship management. These give your technical expertise an edge.
- Build professional visibility by showcasing your competencies on platforms like LinkedIn.
Preparing for a Career Beyond the Classroom
Finally, Enongene shared three powerful steps every master’s student or aspirant must take to truly prepare for a career in a multinational company:
- Learn Beyond the Classroom: Treat your formal education as a foundation, but actively seek knowledge and skills outside the syllabus.
- Leverage LinkedIn: Build meaningful connections, engage with industry leaders, and position yourself where opportunities are shared.
- Focus on Outcomes, Not Titles: “You need to back your titles with solid experience and knowledge,” he insisted. Employers care less about what you are called, and more about what you can do.
He concluded with a reminder that sums up his philosophy: “It’s not about a piece of paper, but about the value in your mind, the value in your heart, and the value in your character.”
Final Takeaway
For today’s master’s graduates, the degree is the starting point, not the finish line. To stand out in multinational companies, professionals must combine academic knowledge with market-ready skills, lifelong learning, and character-driven leadership.
The question for you is this:
How are you using your degree as a springboard to build the skills and networks that will carry you into the global stage?
About Ntongwe Enongene
Ntongwe Enongene is a global business leader, strategist, and mentor whose career journey embodies excellence across continents and industries. With an MBA in International Business from FUNIC Business School in partnership with Rome Business School, he has carved an extraordinary path that blends academic brilliance with hands-on corporate leadership.
From his early beginnings as a Marketing Intern in Cameroon to shaping business growth across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Enongene has held key leadership roles with world-class organizations. He has driven mining, power generation, and renewable energy initiatives at Caterpillar Inc. and 247Solar, pioneered market strategies with Bosch in Hungary and Germany, and advanced educational impact with Cambridge University Press. His global journey has taken him from Dakar to Dubai, Budapest to Stuttgart, Singapore to Abidjan—leaving a legacy of innovation, growth, and transformation at every stop.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Enongene remains deeply committed to education. He has shared his knowledge as a lecturer at FUNIC Business School, inspiring the next generation of African business leaders with his unique blend of global experience and local insight.
Today, he stands as a powerful voice at the intersection of business, education, and leadership. His story is not just one of success—it is a masterclass in resilience, vision, and global relevance.