The German Model
This model focuses on practical aspects of management by creating a sandwich course which makes candidates work and study every week . The lectures are conducted for a couple of days in a week and candidates work on projects and assignments at their workplace while working as a full-time employee . In such a model , candidates don ' t get confused about how to apply the acquired management knowledge in their company and in their work situation . But this job-specific knowledge limits the ability to apply knowledge in crossdisciplines and in the other industries . The candidates become industry specific .
How To Choose An MBA Model ?
When I completed my MBA from the reputed Sydenham College of South Mumbai , at the beginning of the 1990s , I was offered a couple of jobs at the campus . I chose the Piramal group of Companies which offered a bachelor ' s accommodation , a posh 3 bedroom apartment located at the prestigious Lokhandwala Complex , at Andheri , in Mumbai .
It had a swimming pool , a rare amenity during that era . It was the housing complex of Bollywood celebrities . About 4 Hindi movie actresses stayed in our building . We were pampered and treated as ' blue-eyedboys '. More than 150 companies used to come for campus recruitment , we were just 38 students . Companies would try to attract us during the pre-placement talks . That was the MBA era .
Today in India MBA has become an undergraduate like degree because of the Commercialization of education and peer pressure on students . Which B School to choose depends on what is your decisionmaking parameter . But I suggest you must visit the campus , talk to current students , attend a lecture or two , study the industry outlook before making up your mind to join any B School . I did the same for my daughter , Supriya by taking her to Chicago Booth , Warton and other B School campuses in America .
If your decision-making parameter is to pursue MBA from India then you can try the following approach . I suggest a student must work at least for a couple of years before getting into a B School . The first year must be devoted to the work . It
The job of B Schools is to make students employable . They can support students to get the right placement but can ' t guarantee the same . Students have to do their part well . The onus of getting the right placement is with the student and not with the B School . Students have to actively participate in academics , club work , internships , case study discussions , debates , peer learning , reading management books , magazines and business papers .
is important to give your 100 % in the first year . During the second year , one can start preparing for the entrance tests and try for one or two years to get a good score . Usually , students get a better score in the second attempt .
It is difficult to get the first job in India only on the graduation degree but one must try harder in the campus drive and also use family contacts to seek a job . A little mental and physical flexibility would help you to get a job . Try some short courses during graduation which will be of help .
Doing internships will also improve the chances of getting the job in the form of pre-placement offer provided you did a good job and real hard work . Otherwise , selection in similar companies from the same industry is also possible if you leverage your internship .
Those who want to go overseas must prepare well and score 700 + in GMAT and work at least for 3 to 4 years . A couple of promotions in your job will be of great help . You should be a team leader even if your team is small .
Working people can think of taking a sabbatical and pursue Executive MBA for a year or one year MBA from a good B School of Global repute . If the fees are too high for you then consider doing the ' Advanced Management Program ' ( AMP ) from IIMs or other global schools for 3 to 4 months . Keep learning management . Don ' t give up hope . Employers love your efforts to get educated better and also your willingness to travel an extra mile to pursue further studies , within your limitations . They want to see that urge and attitude . They want you to be coachable for life .
Visit LinkedIn profiles of many successful professionals . You will see that the career path doesn ' t go only through IIMs or Harvard and Whortan . It is one of the options but not the end of the world . Management science can be learned and used by different methods , ways , degrees at different locations , at different times and stages of life .
You need to stay hungry for knowledge , keep upgrading your skills and constantly seek learning opportunities and avenues . This article is my effort to open up your mind and give you hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel , you must pass through it .
Prof . Ajit Patil was awarded ' Top Voice on LinkedIn - 2017 '. He is a Management Writer ; Marketing , Business Development & Retailing Consultant . He conducts Management Development Programmes ; trains & coaches Sales & Marketing teams . He has been teaching MBA students in India & overseas for over 20 years . He can be reached at : Ajitpatilmumbai @ yahoo . co . in .