The Pros and Cons of Part Time Post Graduate Studies

Once students are done with their basic college education and graduate proudly out of their institutions, career and education questions still loom pretty large. People today are often torn between carrying on and studying further to do a Master's degree or then jumping headlong into the job market for the career of their choice. A part time post graduate course can offer you a fine medium path and the popularity of post graduate courses like part time MBAs and other part time Master's programs is testament to this fact.

When considering whether to continue the life of academia and take on further education, every individual has their own reasons. For some it may be to advance their career, for some to get their foot in the door or a certain prestigious company, for some it may be to get better chances abroad and for others it could be to further themselves in their professional life or to get an education in a related or ancillary field. Before you take on the additional load of doing a Master's program it is essential to first assess what your goals for doing so are and how the degree you are looking at will help you reach those goals in the most ideal way possible. Only then can you figure out whether a full time or part time course makes more sense for you and your ambitions.

If you are leaning towards a part time study program, let us take a look at a few pros and cons of going down this path -

Pros -

There is more flexibility – One of the biggest boons of doing a part time course like a part time MBA is that you can further your career goals alongside. You can start working and make the headway you need to establish yourself in your chosen field, while giving yourself the added education and degree which further enhances your knowledge as well as plumps up your resume. There is also less chances of relocation and less time and money spent on commuting and other such issues. Gaining both an education and work experience is tough to beat.

It is less expensive – Part time degree courses are usually less expensive than their full time counterparts. This is an incentive for those on a tight budget and also you can be earning a pay packet while you are studying. Some employers also encourage their employees to take on part time studies and often finance the same.

Cons -

Your schedule can get demanding – Concentrating on both a job and an education can be very taxing  and tiring for some students. Both will demand equal importance and it can be difficult to strike a proper balance to give justice to both aspects of your life.

It may feel lacking – For some students, the point of doing a Master's or a post graduate program is to get the experience in its entirety. On campus projects, the extended interaction with like minded peers and more college organised events etc. will be a few things you may miss out on.

Before committing to any study program, always consider what you want from the experience. An educated decision is a must.

Part Time MBA

In the fast-paced life we lead today, resources like a part-time MBA is the best way to get that boost for a bright career graph. There are a number of B schools that offer such programs and you can find the institute that suits you best by researching online for programs, faculty, facilities, etc. The most popular post graduate MBA programs in Mumbai are Masters in Human Resource Development Management (MHRDM), Masters in Marketing Management (MMM), Masters Degree in Financial Management (MFM), and Masters Degree in Information Management (MIM). These part-time programs are aimed at allowing executives to pursue advanced studies in the field of their choice and improve their career growth and prospects, without taking a break from their current work or professional post.

MHRDM / MIM / MFM / MMM, all are three year part-time programs affiliated to the Mumbai University. A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university and a minimum of two years’ work experience at an executive or supervisory level is considered to be a requisite for eligibility and admission to such programs. The admission process is simple. All you need to do is submit the application form and some relevant certificates before the prescribed due date and do well on the selection process and entrance exam. The candidates are selected on the basis of their scholastic record, level of practical experience, and performance in the entrance exams, which includes a written test (WT), group discussion (GD) and personal Interview (PI).

The MHRDM program is useful for HRD executives and aimed at preparing executives for HR designations in the public and private sector of the market and the program is designed in view of this fact. Thus, the emphasis of the curriculum is on developing a proper role perception of HRD and exposing the candidate to relevant aspects of the field in order to gain confidence to translate policies into actions effectively, while also feeling the pulse of employees at all levels of the set-up.

The MMM program covers all aspects of marketing and aims at developing an integrated management perspective and is ideal for candidates that are working in areas such as sales, marketing research, marketing planning, public relations, advertising, exports, applied economics, distribution, etc.

The MFM program deals with all facets of finance and accounting with an emphasis on managerial applications, while the MIM program aims to impart students with all the proficiency required in fields of software management, IT consultancy, system analysis, software project management, etc.

With such specific and well-designed programs to choose from, you can be sure to find the wherewithal for a flourishing career in Management. Plus, programs like the part time MBA are the need of the hour, in addition to being encouraged by a majority of employers these days. In the competitive job scenario nowadays it is essential to be committed to doing well and working hard to enhance your career prospects in every way possible.