Feeling Stuck After 1.5 Years in HR: Should I Change Jobs or Pursue Another MBA?

Hi All,

Need some guidance...

I did my MBA with a specialization in HR from 2003 to 2005. In May 2005, I started working in HR retention at a 300-employee IT company and have not switched jobs since. Now, I feel it is the right time to make a change. However, some of my colleagues and friends have advised me to continue for at least 2 more years, until May 2007, before making a change.

I strongly feel that now is the time to change. If you were in my position, what option would you choose:
1. Change in Job
2. Further studies - I am considering pursuing another MBA from a reputable institute.

I am really confused... Please guide.

Regards,
Taruna

How many times will you study? Is studying endless? You can read a lot of books and gain knowledge. After all, experience counts. Now that you are working, studying is endless. Every time, you don't have to take up a course, enroll, and give exams. Read and read, and try to get the output of your reading.

Rohini

Thanks, Rohini. I agree studying is endless, and self-study is the best way to learn. However, I feel that it may help in 'self-branding.' You know it's like - the best resumes sell. :) Thanks a ton.

Regards,
Taruna

Hi Taruna,

Doing an MBA again will surely not help. Why do you want to leave your current job? Are there no more learning or growth opportunities left for you? Unless there's a concrete reason for you to leave, I suggest that you should not leave your current job. It's important for you to have a good stable platform for yourself.

Also, in case you want to make a change, have you decided what kind of opportunity you are looking for? If that clarity is missing in your mind, you will continue to remain in doubt in the next assignment as well. Changing jobs is a critical decision and has a direct impact on your life; thus, it should be decided after thorough analysis and with total conviction so that there are no regrets later.

Amit

Hi Taruna,

I think it's better to change your job now; otherwise, you will just be stuck in this profile for a long time. And don't think of doing an MBA again. Instead, you should work with good companies and gain real-time exposure, which will have greater value in the market. That's my opinion.

God bless you. All the best.

Regards,
Sandhya

Dear Taruna,

Shifting jobs after gaining 1.5 years of experience is okay. Actually, having this much experience in your first job is good. You can definitely consider changing jobs to gain some new experiences. Pursuing an MBA again would require a lot of preparation for the CAT exam and then the admission process. If you manage to secure admission into IIMs, nothing beats that; anything less than that might not be worth pursuing an MBA for the second time. Why don't you consider enrolling in some certification or specialization courses? If you need more information, Archnahr is available to guide you. She is also based in Delhi.

Chao,
Abhinav

I 100% agree with what Amit said unless you have a concrete reason to leave a job, stick to it, and try to put in the best of your ability into every assignment. It's been 1.5 years, which is very critical - you must have had an opportunity to engage an objective outsider, a buddy system, and countless other things. If you leave this job, all these things are at stake. If you have any issues, approach your management and discuss with them under the light of facts. I suppose time is not a factor on which you should decide to quit.

Hi Taruna,

From what I understand, you want to grow in the corporate ladder and for this you are looking at 2 ways.

• Growing in the corporate ladder quickly by changing jobs.

• Getting your self a good b school brand.

Objective seems good but the first way is looking crude. To start with this method may give you results in the short run. But in the long run your expertise and skills would be more crucial.

Other way you have chosen is doing Business Management... again getting into a reputed b - school is tough and more importantly things get worse because curriculum in good b -schools is very rigorous and the expectation that the industry has from you will multiply many fold. Planning has to be top notch before you plan to get your next MBA. Get your self ready for that rigor.

One more suggestion: All b schools when hiring students with substantial experience would look at the business acumen you posses apart from the leadership potential you have in you. You should be comfortable in discussing the macro and micro level industry issues and for this you need to really understand the business you are in and the challenges that are ahead. Unless you have this insight getting an admission into a good business school is tough.

It doesn't matter how many companies you have worked with, the only thing that matters is what you have learnt and how you are going to add value to the organization.

Regards

Srikanth Ch

Dear Taruna,

I agree with what other people have suggested. Pursuing an MBA from a reputed institute again may not be the best solution. You have gained valuable 1 1/2 years of experience in the industry. It is now time to grow and move forward with that exposure. Working will help you understand the concepts more clearly. You can always enhance your knowledge by reading good books, magazines, or even by joining a specific diploma course related to HR.

All the best for your future.

Regards,
Anuradha Singh
HRD