Tips to Help You Manage Post Graduate Studies While Working

Post graduate studies often come at a time when you are itching to start work. When you are at an age where responsibilities start rearing their head, either personal or financial, or you simply want a head start on the career goals you have been dreaming about. People also often opt to go in for post graduate courses like part time and executive MBAs from MBA institutes in Mumbai once they have already started working in order to help them advance at the work place.

Working while continuing to study or picking it up again mid way has become fairly acceptable now days and often looked upon favorably by employers as well. While some work places may offer you more leeway where studying and time management is concerned, most do not. It can often become quite a task managing both studying and working in an efficient and productive manner. If you have a part time job it can be considerably easier, but add a full time job, responsibilities at home and a heavy course load with post graduate studies and it can get to be a lot.

Here are a few ways that might help you juggle the two worlds better -

Pick the right kind of course – Firstly, before you even begin applying to post graduate courses at MBA institutes inMumbai and other vocational courses, assess how much time you truly have to devote to studying in order to make the most of your course. If you must work, ensure that you find courses that are part time, online or even catered to working professionals such as yourself that offer more flexibility in terms of course load and time constraints. Although these kinds of courses may take longer than a full time one of the same stream, they are ideal for when you want to keep professional and academic aspirations burning at the same time. Flexibility is essential and consider courses and institutes that will help you with deferring opportunities in times of heavy work load as well as a class and semester schedule that is paced well.

MBA- Masters in Business Administration

Cut out on travel time – Studying in big cities usually means a large portion of your time per day simply goes in commuting from one place to the next. If possible find an institute offering the post graduate course you want within a reasonable distance from your work place or home. This will help you direct all that time you spend commuting to more worthwhile pursuits at school or the work place or simply to get some studying done. If moving is an option, consider relocating closer to where the two lie. Another option to cut down on travel time altogether is to opt for online courses that give you the freedom to work on your studies as and when you please.

Start your day earlier – Studying after a hard day at work is often a herculean task. You are often tired, grumpy and just disinterested by the time you finish your work for the day and yet have to tackle stuff at home too. Try and wake up earlier than you usually do and get jobs done before your day begins. Aim to finish at least some part of your homework or house work, whichever works better for you, in the early mornings before you head to work.

Be mentally prepared – Being prepared for the hard work to come goes a long way in helping you manage the stress later. Know that there will be times that you will have to sacrifice fun plans in lieu of your responsibilities and remember it is for the greater good. That being said once in a while carve out some 'me' time from your hectic schedule to regroup, re-motivate and unwind before you begin again.

An overview of an Executive MBA : Pros and Cons

A Masters in Business Administration in definitely a worthwhile academic pursuit. It is one of the most popular degrees with students out there today and one that has a range of specializations from a number of different kinds of schools. A number of students today opt to pursue an MBA program to further their educational aspirations as well as enhance their career prospects. But what about those professionals who have already joined their chosen professional stream and are looking to climb the rungs of a slippery corporate ladder? It becomes impossible to juggle a full time job as well as a full time course. This is where an Executive MBA can come in and fill the gap.

A Executive MBA program or an EMBA as it is also called, is a Masters degree that serves a large population base of working professionals. It is as its name suggests an MBA option for executives and professionals who have already started working and want to gain an additional degree or diploma in order to give them a boost at the work place. Many employers too today willingly fund an executive MBA course for talented employees who they feel have the potential to blossom and be a major asset to their companies. It is in fact a great option for lower and mid level employees who want to advance to the managerial level and higher. 

If you are considering opting for an EMBA, here are a few pros and cons you may want to consider:

Pros: 

• It shows initiative – Employers love a worker who has the drive and ambition to succeed and wants to take the next step to not only further their career prospects, but also be a more skilled employee for their company. Opting for a course of study even after you have already begun your journey on the career path shows that you are serious about your job and want to rise. Talk to your higher ups whether going in for such a program would be considered a boon for the company and whether you can adjust your schedule if needed for course work.

• It is not as intensive as a regular MBA – An EMBA program will likely be a part time one, a few days a week. The course materials may be more targeted toward a specific set of skills and subject matters rather than a very comprehensive full time regular MBA.

• It is a good networking tool – An executive MBA course will likely be attending by other working execs like yourself. Although you will find people from all streams, some find it a great way to meet like minded people and people working in the similar strata as themselves.

Cons:

• It might be too much to handle – Not everyone can handle a full time job and a post graduate course at the same time efficiently. Responsibilities at work as well as course work can get a bit overwhelming if you cannot manage your time well and give due diligence to both.

• It may not be what you need – Not all workplaces are that supportive or appreciative of their employees taking on additional responsibilities and courses. It may not even be necessary in order to be considered for that career raise. Talk to your higher ups and check if this is something that is worth your time, if that is the sole purpose that is driving you to take it on.

Pros and Cons of a Career in Journalism

Journalism is definitely one of the most popular careers out there in the media sphere. Whether you aim to be a news correspondent, a travel journalist, TV correspondent, sports writer or more the world of journalism is a vast and dynamic one. It is no wonder then that every year hordes of students opt for mass communication courses in Mumbai and other metros. 

Whether it is for print, television or online media, journalism requires a certain kind of person. You have to be up to date on what is happening around you, be quick on your feet and even quicker in your mind. It is not a stream or career choice for the lazy or dispassionate! Whether you plan to take on a course in journalism or want to jump right in with an internship, know fully well of what you are getting you into. 

Like most careers in media, portrayals in movies and sitcoms are always glamorous and stylish. Yes, it can be fun, sometimes glamorous (depending on where you work and what you do), but also gritty, tough and difficult. But usually exciting!

Pros - 

Meet different kinds of people – Unlike a regular 9 to 5 job where you meet the same office goers day after day, careers in journalism open you up to so many different kinds of people. Whether it is people you are covering for a news report, interviews, working with different people within the industry and more, you usually have the opportunity to meet and experience so much and in so much diversity. 

It is rarely monotonous – Challenging and often extremely varied, journalism offers a career stream that is rarely monotonous. Yes, you may have to pay your dues during the starting days when you may not be doing exactly the kind of range of work that you want, but it is far more interesting to people who can't stand the thought of doing the same desk job day in and day out. You may also get to travel and explore new places depending on your job.

Cons -

Too fast paced for some to handle – If you are the kind of person that takes comfort in routine and wants a steady job with regular hours, this career stream is definitely not made for you. It can sometimes be a job that has you on your feet and alert 24/7 and definitely does not come with regular or even healthy working and sleeping hours.

Extremely competitive – Like it was mentioned earlier there are loads of people studying at mass communication courses in Mumbai and other cities that are strong media centres. Therefore, competition is fierce and the choicest jobs much fewer. If you are looking to opt for journalism and expect a sure shot path to fame and seeing your names in the major by lines or to rake in the big bucks immediately, you may be disappointed. 

Like any other career option, do a little research before opting for a course to supplement your dream. But when you know you will settle for nothing else, do all you can and go for it! 

4 Helpful Tips to Help you Socialise in College

School days are always fun; you are thrown together with a bunch off classmates you have for years and have fixed social activities, classes and much more that make making and maintaining friendships much easier. Students often leave the nest to pursue higher studies like mass communication courses in mumbai and other cities around the world, suddenly finding themselves in completely new environments and surrounded by a totally new set of people.

If you are social enough or an extroverted to begin with, finding new friends and making contacts becomes much easier. But for those are more shy, fitting in and making the most of the college experience becomes a slightly tougher experience causing a lot of anxiety and stress, not to mention more serious problems like depression. 

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the college experience a little more and broaden your social experiences -

• Firstly, remember that many students like yourself are finding themselves in the same boat and feeling a little out of place, timid and even uncomfortable. Some just manage to hide it much better. Don't feel weird or afraid when approaching your fellow classmates and take the lead to start a little casual or polite conversation. Even simple questions about themselves or a discussion about a class you are about to take or have just taken can help open a floodgate of conversation and help you make new acquaintances.

• Another great way to meet new people is to find social groups in your institution. Colleges often have a plethora of student groups ranging from those based around sports and recreational activities, extra curricular groups, social work and volunteering groups, dramatics, and much more. In larger schools students also often form international communities to help them meet more people from their home countries and organise fun social and cultural events. Find out what kinds exist in your college or around it and join a couple that interest you. You might just meet like minded people and it always feels great to be part of a community and be part of many different activities.

• Make a study group – Not only does research say that studying with others help you fare better in your own work and do better in exams, it can also serve as a good way to mingle more with your classmates. Initially a common goal to do better academically and help each other will bind a bunch of students together and then can develop into a more social relationship  if you happen to hit it off.

• Accept more invites  - Invited to a dorm mates party down the hall or a party in the next hostel or having a college social do? Sometimes all it takes is the first step of accepting invites and getting over your shyness and going. You will learn to meet new people in a more close setting and since everyone is out to have a good time, the atmosphere is more relaxed and festive. Off course always remember to make sure your safety is top priority. If you don't know anyone at all and there is going to be alcohol on the premises or you have a feeling that things aren't right, trust your instincts and leave. Make sure you have a way to get home after a late night affair and don't accept drinks from strangers when you can't see where they have been poured from.

College can be a super fun experience and one that teaches you far more than just the course you have gone to study. Remember to make the most of it!

A Basic Overview about a Post Graduate Diploma in Management

When students today are looking for post graduate courses of study to add value to their career prospects, one of the most popular options has to be an MBA or a Master's in Business Administration. Management colleges abound and they offer students a whole host of courses ranging from finance to mass communication and marketing. Another such option that people often think about in lieu of an MBA is a Post Graduate Diploma in Management or a PGDM.

PGDM which is also known as a professional management program or course, is often given the short end of the stick since people assume that the word 'diploma' in the name won't carry as much weight as a degree. However contrary to popular belief, this course is also one that lasts for 2 years and carries immense weight when it comes to your career, when they are recognised by the AICTE or the All India Council for Technical Education. Institutes that are recognised by this body will offer comprehensive post graduate diploma in management programs. 

Post graduate diplomas in management are an alternative to an MBA, since they are usually offered by institutes or schools that are aren't affiliated with a particular university. This does not mean they are less than stellar; in fact you will find premier management colleges all across the country that have PGDM course offerings. Usually colleges that offer MBA courses are part of a university and have to follow a set curriculum, rules and guidelines as prescribed by that university. Whereas those that aren't have the autonomy to set their own curriculum and design a course that is more flexible, as long as it comes within the boundaries drawn by the AICTE. 

A post graduate diploma in management is often times also more career specific and is often targetted more toward a specified sphere of interest, as opposed an MBA which gives students a more broad approach toward the field. A PGDM can also be a more industry oriented course of study since the colleges offering this diploma have the freedom and flexibility to set their own curriculum and update and refresh it as and when the industry norms change. One good thing about this course is that if you complete one from a reputable and recognised school you will be able to pursue a doctorate if you wish to study further, since it is recognised in most places as a certificate equal to a Master's. 

You will find a variety of post graduate diploma in management courses today. However if you want the most bang for your buck and to compete on a sure footing when it comes to a job hunt or furthering your career prospects, it is essential to find a reputable B school that is well known in the industry. Make sure you research both the institute and the curriculum thoroughly when it comes to deciding between a Post Graduate Diploma in Management and an MBA, and find out what works best for your goals and aspirations.