Pursuing an MBA is an expensive choice but rewarding, says Dr Githa S Heggde

In today’s world there is a plethora of career fields to choose from, and an abundance of well-educated people to compete with for those careers! With so many choices, finding the right course to enroll is not a cake walk — but if it’s in the area of business you got to figure out the management degree which is the perfect choice. Despite the fact that an MBA can be an expensive choice it is a richly rewarding undertaking with great career potential. We deep dive into the real reason to choose a management degree.

Be your own boss

With a Master in Business Administration, many graduates become young entrepreneurs. By enrolling in an MBA programme, you can acquire the requisite knowledge and practices needed to potentially develop and operate your own businesses. You will be adept with business management, planning and even financial handling. These skills will put you in the perfect position to manage your own business effectively, while contributing to the economic development of the country.

Better career opportunities

An MBA programme provides a more diverse and wider field for graduates to dabble in and hence the choice of career prospectus is wide as compared to any other programme.  The programme will support develop T shaped managers, who are well equipped to fit into wider category of roles with high specialised knowledge in their respective fields.  There are several core areas covered within the programme, including human resource, statistics, technology and information systems, economics, and finance. All these areas qualify an MBA graduate to pursue a career in multiple areas and business sectors as well as the public sector. With the different core areas penetrated, MBA graduates are provided with more and better opportunities to expend themselves and develop their minds.

Ideal for networking

Networking is the key to success of any business venture. Business school provides a great base for MBA graduates to meet people. The sort of people you can meet while studying your MBA programme include recruiters, key note speakers, old-school businessmen, new entrepreneurs, the list is almost endless. And then you have your fellow students that are also ambitious in the business world. It paves the way for you to interact with future business managers and executives. When the course is finished, these people could be ideal business partners or even provide exceptional recommendations on your behalf. Customarily, those enrolled in an this programme are often sent out as interns. This provides MBA students with yet another way to meet potential employers. The consolidated network of people you will meet while studying is sure to prove beneficial in the future.

Worldwide recognition

After completing an MBA degree, a graduate is certified in all known core areas or at least some major managerial roles within an establishment. This degree is one that is highly recognisable throughout the world. It can be used to pursue other career fields since it is highly compatible with other degree programmes.

Enhances communication skills

As part of the programme, participants are taught how to speak clearly and distinctively. They are taught the art of language, how to add meaning to their words, how to develop effective and exceptional presentations, and overall, how to interact with others in and out of the classroom setting. These communication skills are invaluable in the business world and for continuous career enhancement.

The writer is Dean, School of Business, UPES