Importance of Part Time MBA

MET: Part time MBA

There’s an old adage, “a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.” The same is true of an MBA degree. There are those that will argue, that a part time MBA lacks in the faculty exposure and classroom rigour that is associated with a full time or regular MBA. But recent trends show that a part time MBA more than makes up for these perceived ‘flaws’. And here’s what our findings show us.

#1: A part time MBA shows dedication: So we conducted a dipstick survey amongst CEOs, entrepreneurs, HR execs and other important folk. Almost each and everyone we asked about employees pursuing a part time MBA, gave us glowing references about such employees. Many agreed that holding down a job and studying simultaneously shows immense dedication and the will to succeed despite all odds.

#2: A part time MBA saves time and money: While a part time MBA is anything but cheap, it is by far a lot cheaper than a full time regular MBA. There is also the matter of time being saved. A part time MBA makes the most use of the limited time that it gets. This is why a part time MBA might be a good idea.

#3.  Employers prefer promoting from within: Pursuing a part time MBA in the stream of your choice can put you on the fast track to a promotion at work. After all it is a little more convenient and cost effective for employers who would know your capability and consider you for a job, think of a part time MBA as being a deal sweetener.

#4.  A part time MBA focuses on the real world: Designed more specifically for the working professional, the course is less about classroom rigour and more about the real world. The student doing this type of an MBA can ensure that he puts his newly acquired knowledge to real world situations.    

#5. A part time MBA enables networking: In most cases a part time MBA is pursued by working individuals who are seeking to update their knowledge. In today's day and age, an integral part of career advancement though is networking. Being surrounded by other working professionals and working on group assignments, enables students to form bonds and display their skills, therefore making impressing upon teammates and professors alike their true potential. Remember that these teammates will always keep you in mind and recommend you as a part time MBA student to jobs that are present within their own organisations, or act as great character and ability references when you apply for any other position.

A part time MBA is a mix of theoretical and practical knowledge, combined with the flexibility of earning while you learn and ensuring you're able to network simultaneously.

MET: Part Time MBA

MET: Part Time MBA

Is there a particular reason you are constantly overlooked for promotions on a consistent basis? Are you often questioning the veracity of how good you really are at your job? Is there some particular skill you find lacking in your professional life that may help in career advancement? If your answer to any of the aforementioned questions is yes, then a part time MBA may be just the programme to look into.

What is a part time MBA?

A part time MBA is a Masters inBusiness Administration Course for working professionals. Depending on the institution, it may be a 3 year course, with classes at such times as to fit in with a working professional’s schedule. This is particularly beneficial to full time, salaried individuals who are looking to upgrade their educational qualifications without taking a sabbatical from work.

What is the fundamental difference between a regular MBA and a part time MBA?

Other than the duration of the course and its teaching methodology, there are literally no differences between a full time and a part time MBA. The efficacy of the course lies in the teaching and absorption of the imparted knowledge and this is the main reason why many working professionals prefer doing an executive or part time MBA.

What are the benefits of a part time MBA?

Part time MBA has several benefits. The most salient of them are listed below.

1.      Networking Opportunities: Your classmates in a part-time MBa classroom will most likely be professionals like yourself. Proximity to fellow working professionals leads to bonding and this can go a long way in helping you further your own interests. As working individuals, you know that the best way to make a productive career move is through networking. Working together with these individuals will be the most productive ‘job interview’ you will ever give. This simply means that if you impress your peers, they could open doors for you.

2.      Career Advancement: Companies prefer promoting their own employees to positions of importance and your part time MBA is a ticket into the big time. Most students who complete a part time MBA are known to make a vertical leap in terms of their career shortly after having completed their degree.

3.      Company reimbursement: Many companies look upon a part-time EMBA as part of their rewards, training and incentives package. A company investing a sizeable portion of money in you therefore, will be expecting results, which basically means that whenever there is talk of a promotion, your name will automatically be thrown into the mix. In case your company does not have this as a matter of policy, remember to look at a part-time MBA as an investment, rather than an expense. In a recent survey, it was found that people who did complete a part-time MBA were able to pay off an education loan they’d taken for the purpose in a matter of 3 years of their graduation, despite maintaining a more than comfortable lifestyle.

4.      A positive impression: Always remember that an impression always goes a long way in life and the fact that you are pursuing a part-time MBA will only add a sheen to your resume. Not only will people think of you as intelligent, but the professional degree your pursuing will also open doors for you in the future.

Education is an investment that never goes to waste. This simply means that however ‘expensive’ you may perceive a part time MBA to be, it is always worth the returns

MET: Executive MBA

MET: Executive MBA

There’s an old saying, “Education is its own reward.” Nowhere is this truer than in the case of an MBA degree. Whether you’re pursuing a full time course or an Executive MBA, as many professionals with career ambitions today are, the apparent value of an MBA degree is there for all to see. While an Executive MBA isn’t the only prerequisite for career advancement, it is an extremely important determinant in how far you could go in making a mark for yourselves in your career.

The following are the salient benefits of an Executive MBA programme from a recognised and reputed institution.

1.      Better rate of incremental income: An executive MBA is an expensive proposition, sure. But most EMBA students also see a bare minimum year on year increment of around 14%. This is just the tip of the iceberg and in essence the beginning of a long and productive career, On an average, an executive MBA, from a reputed institution pays for itself within a year and a half of graduation. The upper limit on salaries and increments are completely up to the individual in question.

2.      Inculcates better all round skills: The knowledge imparted in an executive MBA classroom is being given to students who already have access, on a daily basis to situations where this knowledge can be tested on a daily basis. An EMBA also gives students the access to some of the industry’s brightest minds and enables them observe the leadership style each doyen comes in with. This means an inculcation of better all round skills and the access to real world situations to test these skills in, which leads to a better grounding.

3.      A sense of innovation: Being able to think on the fly and adjust to high pressure situations, by being flexible and innovating, is one of the traits that EMBA graduates are renowned for having. This happens primarily because of the circumstances of the teaching methodology and curriculum also the application of learnings to business situations on a daily basis.

4.      Greater perceived value: An organization that already shares a comfort level with an individual, is more likely to promote said individual from within itself. An individual opting for an EMBA ensures that the powers that be, notice his/her drive and ability to multi-task, two very important parameters in a promotion situation. A company perceives an EMBA graduate as greater value, because he or she is from within the company and is therefore available to the management on a more full time basis, is known to have greater and more contemporary knowledge and market intelligence and are hungry to prove their worthiness. This makes them indispensable in the long run.

5.      Easier to speak the Glocal language: In the age of ‘Think Global, Act Local’, the way business speaks has also changed, this means that many of the precepts that held true even 5 years ago are obsolete. An EMBA programme is tuned withan eye on both the present and the future and is geared to equip a professional with the tools to understand, associate and speak the language of the ever evolving business scenario.

An executive or EMBA is an excellent way for a professional to update their skills and education with the aim of forwarding their careers and job profiles. While a top EMBA is an expensive proposition, it is an attractive options, as the benefits far outweigh the costs.

How MBA will help you succeed in the real world

 A lot of students think that getting an MBA will solve all their career problems. They will magically land the right job, climb the corporate ladder and meet all their professional goals. There is no denying that the right diploma or degree can really help jumpstart your career, but it really depends on how committed and dedicated you are when it comes to your course and then when it comes to your career. If you are armed with the right knowledge, abilities and value system in today’s highly competitive world, then nothing can stop you from getting ahead. But the whole idea of doing a MBA is also getting geared for the real world.

Read on to know how:

• Real world is all about time management. How to manage teams, how to delegate tasks, how to be on time for meetings, how to meet deadlines, how to manage unforeseen emergencies and delays and how to manage sticky situations with clients. Doing an MBA will teach you how to practically manage your time so that you do not burn out or fail to meet your goals in the long run. 

• Work ethic and value system are again very integral part of succeeding in the professional world. Things like being honest when needed, being tactful if the situation demands and being terse in dire circumstances are all important skills one needs to master in the real world. Things like taking credit for someone else’s work, trying to take shortcuts, looking at short term gains instead of long term goals and not being a team player can cost you a great deal in your career. The right MBA course will train you for the real world by making you a dynamic individual who can handle complex situations without giving in to stress.

• Succeeding in the real world also entails a great deal of networking, planning and executing the ideas. Having the right contacts can help you land the promotion and even job change. Planning your personal portfolio can help you multiply your net worth over a period of time and executing your plans can help you in the long term goal of starting your own venture and becoming a successful entrepreneur. 

Today’s world needs one to be book smart, street smart and ethical. The correct blend of these three qualities can open man doors for one’s career. The whole idea of choosing from MBA courses in Mumbai and acquiring the right degree or diploma is to add tons of horsepower in your chariot to zoom ahead in this fast track world and get the edge.  

FAQs for doing MBA in Mumbai

Doing your MBA in Mumbai can be a great career move for you if you have recently graduated and are wondering what should be the next best step for your career. After finishing your graduation, you can either immediately apply for a job, try for an internship for acquire a master’s degree. If you have already chosen your field of advancement and are determined to grow at a steadfast speed in that industry, then getting a degree in that particular industry vertical will really help jump start your career. On the other hand, if you are keen on starting your own venture or planning to join an existing family business, then also a master’s degree from the right college may help you better in the business world.

Students wanting to study MBA in Mumbai often wonder about the future prospects and syllabus in general. Here are some brief guidelines to help you make an informed decision:

1.     Will the degree be recognized? Well, this totally depends on the institution you choose and its accreditation. The most important thing to keep in mind while choosing the MBA course is the recognition of the college or institution. Colleges offering the best of exposure and infrastructure may not have the right accreditation, which can be a problem if you are planning to go abroad for further studies.

2.     How to choose the right course? The definition of the right course greatly depends on the area to want to gain mastery in. For example, if you have 100 percent clarity that you want to pursue a master’s degree in mass media, then you know the right course is one which has top-of-the-line faculty, amazing infrastructure, intelligently crafted and updated syllabus and campus recruiting. So, knowing what you want from the course will definitely help you in choosing the right course.

3.     How can I make the most of my course? Remember, MBA is not just about being book-smart. The whole idea of doing a master’s degree in the field of your choice is also being prepared for the real world. So to get the most out of your course also means getting groomed for what comes after. A good course and the right faculty will make sure that you are a refined individual when you finish the master’s degree. Things like strong interpersonal skills and management qualities are indispensable in today fast moving, ever-evolving world.

Do not think of your master’s degree as a means to end tool. Enjoy the whole MBA college experience by getting involved in the extracurricular activities and participating in the various programmes. You will make some of your best friends, some even for life while pursuing your MBA in Mumbai. There is nothing more exciting than spending time and learning day in and day out with a group of people, who have the same goals and aspirations as you.

Part of doing a Master’s degree also means unlearning some of the things you have learnt before. This is more of a practical guide, something you have chosen to do instead of something that is forced upon you. So be more forthcoming and involved with the course and faculty. Do not be afraid of asking questions and voicing opinions.  

What employers are looking for in you.

So you’ve just completed your post graduation,congratulations, you’re now an MBA! You will be fast tracked to the front of the line in your future job assignments. The boss’ eyes will always look to you for a suggestion or a valuable input. Your future is set… or is it? While getting an MBA was always part of the plan, here are a few things you will need to know before you apply to your first off campus job in the real world. Most of these are unwritten expectations that employers have of you, and it is best to inculcate these values while still in college than try and retrofit yourself into them a few months into your job.

While an MBA will equip you to handle most of any situation that may arise in your professional lives this list is more about attitude and character traits that will help in the process of being an indispensable member of a management team.

1) Be proactive, not reactive:

Being proactive means sensing a need before it arises and planning a process such that when the need does arise, you have a solution in place to take care of it. Say you have a presentation the next day to a client that you know can be bettered, bring it to the attention of your superiors, and volunteer to make adjustments to it, such that the client is completely convinced that your firm amongst all others is the most suited to undertake the project.

2) Be a teamplayer:

No one person ever built a gargantuan monument all by themselves. It would be practically impossible to do so. The same is true in the modern business environment. Teams of dedicated employees strive together, bringing their collective expertise, skill sets and insights to deliver the best solutions. Being a team player entails being a people’s person, putting the needs of the team above individual needs and most importantly sharing the credit! Remember being egotistical will get you nowhere.

3) Be self-motivated:

Being self motivated simply means not dwelling too much on setbacks and being able to learn from mistakes. It also means being creative, showing an interest, perseverance and above all having single minded focus in pursuing your goals. Self-motivated individuals are most sought after in organisations with strong focus on innovation. Especially in the fields of new media, marketing, advertising and finance, where the need to innovate is high!

4) Never lose your inner child:

While this may sound pedantic, the childlike qualities of boundless enthusiasm, energy and infectious humour are extremely important, especially as part of a team. The inner child in us can help lift morale, build relationships and most of call reinvigorate the people around us. A smile and an attitude of curiosity will go a long way in making a positive impression on all and sundry. Overdoing it though will mean you get branded as a ‘good times guy or girl’ and that is not something you’d want for your reputation!    

5) Focus and determination:

Determination and focus are two key attributes that employers will look for in you. Determination to lead and follow without hesitation, focus to reach the goal and on all aspects of the execution of a project.

6) A clean reputation:

Employers are looking for employees who are, who they say they are in their CVs. Maintaining a good rapport with all you come in contact with, not indulging in malice or gossip and keeping your own reputation untarnished by the same will go a long way in ensuring that you have a clean bill of health character-wise. Always provide your prospective employers with references that are genuine and can bear testament to your character.

Follow and inculcate these simple tips and you will find that life and your professional career are on the right track in every way.