All Talk and No Action Thursday, June 4, 2009


Loads of friends from premier institutions haven't been placed yet and quite a few are just managing to hang on to their jobs.

How advisable is it to go for an MBA right now?

Duration of the course? (1 vs. 2 years)

MBA in India vs. Abroad?

I have been having lots of discussions within my tiny brain and also with lots of friends.

I believe an MBA is a long term investment and hence short term recessions and other incidents shouldn't affect our decisions.

Also, I have always believed in getting good enough work-ex and then applying to the best universities. Yet, looking at friends, some of who have been pretty intelligent and talented, taking up courses at mediocre colleges, just makes a dent in my own confidence and belief.

Their logic - Some day or the other, the university brand name ceases to exist. It's You. Period.

Yups. That's true. But I would like to do my Masters from a reputed institution. I would like to make it an experience. Not just a grind.

Is the wait worth enough?

Or am I missing some pretty obvious signals here?

Though, I have almost made up my mind, yet a good discussion here would only help me see the larger picture.

I seek suggestions/advice.




11 comments:

Deepak Iyer said...

Wait for work-ex and get a worthwhile experience.
Coz that's what I believed in, and now I can safely say I was right.

My 2 paisa.

Ye manzilen !! said...

MBA is not just a degree - its a way of life. It brings out the best from students and makes them look at the world from may perspectives.

It brings to one attention many faculties of finance, accounting, marketing, ops, strategy, entrepreneurship and business life cycle.

An MBA can calculate the loss in human,political and real capital when some politician makes a hate speech some place..

One may fall out of love from "hate speakers" after or during an MBA.

You may wanna consider that...
Peace...LOL..

Timeless Memories - My Bygone ! said...

U shud hav atleast 2 yrs wrk ex b4 going for mba, if u really want to b in the elite list of job holders.

I dont think recession is going to affect as its a short term situation, by the time u passout the economy will b in a growth and boom period. I myself is an mba frm one of the premier schools of india, n i didnt had much probs getting a gr8 job coz of my work ex. Talking abt mba abroad, its a huge investment, if u ready then u can apply to those top 10 institution, rest i dont think values much. I think mba in india is better as the investment is less and u r getting a world class education and exposure, if u r looking for one yr, then ISB is the best answer.

ashkd said...

there is always a room at the top.. recession or whatever.. the knowledge, the presentation and the personality are always given an edge.. so prepare for the best and try to give best everywhere..

MBA is a way of life.. so if the end of the day you talk about 'getting a job' syndrome then the purpose of doing an MBA would be termed as taking admission in placement agency.. grow your personality, knowledge and everything in your 2 years in 'the premier institutes' in india or 'bestest' in the world, the world is yours.. :-)

All the best for the preparation.. :-) do let me know if you need any help.. ho sakta hai ki kuchh help de sakoon.. :-)

All Talk and No Action said...

@Deepak - Thanks, I already have a work ex of three years by now. I posted this because it's scary to see some very talented friends go to mediocre colleges while stating recession and applications' rejection as a reason...
I would rather wait and go to a good college than take admission in hurry. But this logic isn't being used by others. Hence, I thought, maybe I was missing out on some thing...
Also, quite a few have suggested NOT doing an MBA right now due to financial turmoil...So, again, the question on the "timing" of one's MBA arises too..

@Ye Manzilen - Going by the logic of your comment - I would think that your Masters didn't really help you to see both sides of the coin.
Extending your logic, I can now very safely conclude that ALL supporters of your noble party, Congress, are corrupt, bureaucratic, pseudo-secular, believe in dynastic politics, support reservations in education and pvt. sector and supported the Sikh Riots.
Your comment didn't really help me.

@Devil Incarnate - Thanks. I agree about the investment part in Foreign Univs..damn expensive :)

@Ashkd - You have mirrored my thoughts here. It can get a lil demotivating if most friends drop ideas of an MBA or start looking only at the very short term benefits...Thanks for the much required encouragement.
Thanks for offering your help...I think i shall definitely be needing some for my CAT prep :)

Ye manzilen !! said...

It was meant to be humuours bhai!

I am not a fan of any political party. This is what they do - divide us. Chose a politoical party and defend its stupid action all your life, while they repeat the benefits. I am independent.I am against anyone, anywhere that stands for hate mongering, killings, rapes, arson....

Let me make one more attempt without humor to answer your question.

I think one should ask " why do I need an MBA?" What it going to give me that I already don't have? How does it help me in achieving my goals?

Do an invetory of your skills / talent and goals. Write a business plan ( we can call goals and objective) and then see an MBA fits in it.

As far as top institutes are concerned, consider this: The top 60% of fortune 500 CEO don't have an ivy league MBA. You may want to do a cost /benefit analysis. Loss of income and 2 yeas of opportunities missed ( which may include shaadi in your case) should not be neglected...

All Talk and No Action said...

@Ye Manzilen - I do know that the comment might have been made in jest. Yet, frankly, am bored with the over analysis and brushing all supporters in one hue...hence...

Thank you for the food for thought you provided...

Anonymous said...

Hey...more or less I agree with ashkd and ye manzil...

First think what you want to do...If you think its in you i.e. you have inclination towards the mgmt thing and you think that you will be able to justify the profile you seek to get (u must have seen MBA's arnd you in your org)...or its just next degree which will shine in your resume...

If you think you have wat it takes and thats the ideal deal then I dont think its even bad to get admission in that not-so-top-of-the-chart college...and if you think you just want to move from current profile and not sure whether your fit for the next one...then go for A-listers that will make life more easier....

My only advice...prefer residential colleges..it will give you much more exposure and learning exp...

all the best for exams..

regards
allthecrap

All Talk and No Action said...

@allthecrap - Thanks :)
Even I agree with ahkd & Shahid Ji...

BTW, aajkal yeh anon commenting ka silsila kyun? Office mai block kar diya hai kya site ko? :)

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