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

Part Time MBA- A Boon for Working Couples

If you have recently tied the knot, then you know of all the extra pressure that comes with starting a new life. Things like setting up a new home, managing the new expenses, working around each other’s busy schedules and managing your finances can be all very overwhelming if not planned well. Now if you have been married for a long time and are used to you and your spouse bringing in a fixed income, then your finances will be in order. But what if one of you decides to become a student again, go back to school and get a degree? This sudden change in thought may have either come from a willingness to change your career, keep your options open or deciding after years of contemplation to actually take on a post graduate course. Your decision is no longer just about you; you need to think about how it will affect your family’s day to day life. You do, however, have the option to learn and earn at the same time. Part Time MBA may just be your answer.

With Part Time MBA, you can finally get that degree you always wanted. But learning and earning at the same time and being a spouse and having a home to look after can make your life super hectic and frustrating. It is very important to plan things, especially if there are kids in the picture. Remember that you have willingly laid out your plate and put everything on it. So just getting overwhelmed by it is not going to help you enjoy your family life, have good work days and get the most of your management course. Here are some quick tips to balance all areas of your life while pursuing a Part Time MBA.

·      Divide the chores at home. You will need maximum support and help from your spouse. So make sure you explain your schedule to them and express freely as to where all you will need help around the house.

·      Talk to your employer. After understanding your syllabus in detail, make sure to get your employer on board with your study schedule. You want to hold on to your job during the whole time, so be sincere and honest at your workplace and do not take on things, which you may fail to deliver due to other commitments.

·      Take time off. With so many things on your plate, taking on a hobby or finding any time to just sit and relax may look impossible. But make sure to set aside some down time instead of it always being about planning, routines, assignments and work commitments. If you are not having fun, you may just snap and give up at some point.

·      This goes without saying but choose the right course. There is a reason that after so long, you are choosing to back to studies. Make sure to choose the right college and course; one that will actually help you earn more money and get more job satisfaction when you are through.

·      Do not explain your decision to everyone. You may get lots of conflicting opinions about becoming a student again, but in the end only you know what is right for you so do not be afraid to go after your dreams.

Part Time MBA can be just as extensive and worth it if done from the right institute.  If you are sacrificing family time and reducing work hours, so that you can get a degree then make sure to be fully committed to your course.

Tips for a healthy work-study balance.

6 Simple tips to help balance work and study life.

In today’s day and age, multitasking is the key to  living a successful, well balanced life. With more and more students opting to work and study, and more corporate professionals starting to understand the value of executive programmes, the need to balance studies and work has become even more vital.

Prof. Mary Joyce, a senior lecturer of note, has this to say, “While it is commendable, that young students are actually learning more about work life, by taking up part-time jobs to fuel both their education and pocket money, when their job becomes their first priority, their college work really suffers, and that’s why while I per se, do not discourage the practice, I insist on a proper, job-study balance.” Similar sentiments are also expressed by HR managers of firms, who report that many a times employees become so caught up in their college assignments that their performance on the job really goes down.

This therefore shows the importance of being able to strike the right balance between work and study life. Here are 6 tips that should be able to help you do just that.

Be organized: Organise your school materials in one place so that it would be easy to find them. Mark your calendar with upcoming deadlines of both course and work projects. Start school projects early to allow sufficient time to complete them. In case other things come up in the meantime, be flexible and accommodate them into your schedule, you will be able to simply because you started your project early and are ahead of your classmates.

Create a flexible schedule: Certain parts of your schedule like class times and workdays are going to be inflexible. Fit homework and studying in when you're either not in class or not at the office. Build an easy to follow routine. Allocate non-negotiable time to both homework and studies. As a working student, you have to be ready to adapt to new assignments, unexpected errands, and sudden work crises that need to be addressed immediately. Make enough studying time in your schedule so that if something comes up, you can shift it into another slot during the week.

Communicate your schedule to your employers, friends, clients and family: Make sure that important stakeholders in your life like your employers, parents, clients and family members know your schedule. Sign up for an online calendar and send the URL to the people who depend on knowing where you are and when. Not everyone you work with will understand the demands of being a student and, similarly, not all of your classmates will understand the additional responsibilities of working while in school.

Manage stress: Stress is an inevitable part of being a student and professional - combine both together and you can expect to be stressed out. As much as you may try to prevent stress, you're going to have to learn how to relieve it as well.

●      Take breaks. Give yourself time to collect your thoughts when you need it the most, so you can re-approach things with a clear head.

●      Be active. Stretch. Swim. Run. Lift. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps relieve stress and you'll find that the more you get out and exercise, the easier work and school will seem. Exercising is commonly known to reduce stress.

●      Live. Don't forget to enjoy life. Don't get bogged down by nuisances of the demands of your academic and professional life. Take time to experience the world around you and appreciate your relationships in life. See movies, read books, watch sports. Don't forget to squeeze in the things that make life worth living into your schedule.

Be realistic: There’s never going to be enough time in a day to do everything. Get your priorities straight and don’t harrow yourself if you don’t accomplish every single task you've on your agenda on any given day. Stay positive and be thankful that you have the opportunity to make a living and get an education - two things many people in the world go without.

Remember why you're doing it: First of all don’t ever be down on yourself, and if by chance you feel demotivated or just mentally unable to cope, remember the reasons you are taking on work and studies at the same time. Sure it is like accepting a Herculean challenge that most people don't dare to attempt. You too wouldn’t be doing it if you didn't have strong reasons and motivation. Whether it's the desire to earn your own keep, pay your way through school and remain debt-free, or because you want to get ahead in your career (or switch to your dream career), or simply because you know that life is short and you want to make the most of it -- keep your goals in mind whenever it starts to feel like too much.

Following these easy to remember tips will definitely help you strike the right kind of balance in between your work and study. Remember there are a few people who can do, what you are doing, and that itself is something you ought to be proud of!