Full-Time vs. Part-Time MBA: What Are the Real Pros and Cons for Your Career?

Hi all,

This is with regard to the query of Prem Latha. I would also like to know what the advantages and disadvantages are of pursuing a part-time or full-time MBA.

Why do companies prefer hiring individuals with a full-time MBA over a part-time one? Are there any disadvantages to completing an MBA full-time?

Kindly share your views with me.

Regards,
Sujata

Hey Latha

Forever we have great debate on Knowledge & Wisdom

Adding to your contest iam here to share my experience with you all participants of this discussion!!

For your Kind info that a Part time MBA aspirants also produce lot of dynamic efforts as similar to Full time aspirants in their working environ and with peers as par the assignment allotted to them as it concern

Besides, with value added points, in civil service examination correspondence earned degree aspirant who stood high level mapping in Civil Service Examination. Excellent stuff always breaks the Limit

In Real time working environ the issues may be same for all who earned Full/Part time/off-line/By Experience, here stands the subjective of empathy and Solutions Solving technique not any degree level

Full Time can help to some extend of percentage but not in all aspects as we compared to other streamline degrees

Eventually, I coudn't find any difference in shaping a person who's level of competence may have a variation in Part time / Full Time MBA

Data's may showcase drastic difference in mapping a person in Full/Part time degrees, but my perception always focused as- Preparation is science for wining success stories

Good Luck

cheers and regards

Edwards

Hi, I agree with what Sanjeev says. This is the time for all the correspondence MBA's to wait and prove themselves with internal growth. As he said, I have personally seen a lot of MBA candidates who are not worth a penny, and it's not the candidates' mistakes alone; it's the institutes which deny their responsibility. I will accept IIM's as great if they really take one average student and groom them as a professional. There is no real difference with the institutes. But there is a lot of difference with faculty. I have seen faculties who really work hard to groom the students and transform them into professionals.

Things will change only when we start looking into details and not at the cream. Corporates should also change their attitude towards hiring and should never deny their responsibility at any time. The best example I can show is the responsibility shown in Tata's organizations. There is a lot more to write on this; I hope others will do that.

Regards,
Vijay

Hi,

As I have mentioned earlier, it's the faculty and the time you spend with them for your education that makes a big difference.

Regards,
Vijay

Hi all,

I would like to discuss one small piece of information with all of you. How many of us are in the community who entertain part-time MBA's in our organizations? Are we really following through with this? Discussing a topic is easy, but implementing it is difficult.

Regards,
Sridhar.B

Hi Sridhar,

That is the question, isn't it? Nobody prefers candidates who have completed an MBA through correspondence.

Regards,
Sujata

Hi Sujata,

It is really not the case that companies are not offering good positions to candidates with correspondence degrees. There are many companies that accept them if the person has that kind of attitude, ability, knowledge, and skills. We accept people who have correspondence degrees and surely give them a chance to prove their abilities.

Now, if we talk about the advantages of a full-time degree:

- The faculty - I can tell you the difference now; I attended a program at IIM Ahmedabad. The professors are really good; their knowledge and the information they provide are excellent. I studied at one of the top five B-Schools in India, and still, I found a difference.
- The environment - your friends, library, ambiance all matter. Think about it - a person studying alone and a person studying in a group - which gives you a better result.

I would like to add, if a person is working and doing an MBA through correspondence, it can add value.

Cheers,
Archna

Hi Sujata,

In my opinion, full-time is better compared to part-time, and part-time can be helpful to those who have been working and have a desire to do an MBA. Companies mostly prefer full-time MBAs because they participate more in classroom activities. They can learn more in the classroom and develop their personality, whereas in part-time, the chances are very less. A full-time MBA can develop his leadership skills, learn how to mingle with his classmates, and apply this in the organization he is supposed to work for.

Regards,
Gowtam

Hi Sujata,

As discussed earlier, it is not that distance education people lack knowledge. They do have the stuff. But it is all about recognition. The trend is that the full-time MBAs would be preferred over the rest. The critical reason would be that the full-time MBAs gain experience and the corporate feel during their program. The B schools provide them with corporate exposure. Also, if an individual is in a full-time MBA program, he is expected to give his complete dedication towards the program, which is unusual for most distance learners.

Regards,
Elamurugu

Well, it was a good discussion, but after seeing all the arguments, I feel Arunachar is right. A person with work experience and a part-time MBA is a good option.

Hi Sujata,

Part-time or through correspondence would be helpful to enhance your qualifications while working in a similar function to be on par with others. Also, do not forget the benefits that are due to some people based on their qualifications. If I join a job as a graduate and then earn a master's degree through correspondence or part-time while working, this will add weight to my profile, which will be considered during performance reviews. This approach is useful in this context. However, it may not be as beneficial for mainstream jobs. It is essential to have a regular degree for jobs that involve a lot of fieldwork and projects, as well as interactions with organizations and other relevant agencies. Such interactions are more feasible in regular programs compared to correspondence or part-time studies, where such interactions may be limited or nonexistent in some cases.

Kindly correct me, Archna, if I am wrong.

Regards,
PRADEEP

Hi,

I wanted to talk about the policy of the MNC nowadays that they won't hire a part-time student. We won't know where the real talent is. Someone said nicely that Anil Ambani nor Bill Gates was an MS in computers, but talent has to be measured. By publishing that the company doesn't invite applications from any part-time graduates, they really don't give a chance, and they are not being fair.

This is not a problem in the US and UK, where education, whether part-time or full-time, is given very good recognition. Mr. Sanjeev said, "When I get a regular graduate, why should I take a part-time graduate?" This is not fair. Why not take the best talent rather than have such blind faith that only students who have done education through regular B-schools would be the best?

There are many students out here who want to get the best education but couldn't afford those. Not everyone would be able to do a full-time course, and there are many people with hidden talents and a real interest in the subject for which they try their maximum to get the education they can afford and improve their knowledge.

Whatever the course, part-time or full-time, everyone should be at least given an opportunity to prove themselves.

Dear Sujata,

Nice topic to start.

The first thing I would like to say is that both Full-Time and Distance have values at their places. It's the level at which they are differentiated. The Full-Time MBA programs except a few add very little value.

In Western Countries, you need to have work experiences to enroll in Top Management Schools, unlike here. So, the real objective of an MBA, which is totally based on American Corporate Philosophy, is lost, and hence the disparity here in India, among Institutes itself and not the program. MBA is not based on the Indian Management System.

The IIMs and IITs get the value because of a reason which is totally different. The reason being that you need to be dedicated, determined, well-organized, and a goal achiever to get selected and succeed in a tough and fierce competitive atmosphere. This gives an indication of the fact that the person has the right bend of mind to succeed in this world, which again may or may not be true, but since the majority of IITs and IIMs have brilliant brains, they are successful in the majority of cases.

Now, why the DLPs do not get value. The reason is not that they are not worth it, but to get enrolled you don't have any stringent selection procedure. There is no fixed Exam Schedule, i.e., if you want, you can skip an Exam and appear for the rest. So, the quality of the candidate cannot be determined, and sometimes sadly people in India only go for DLPs when they are not eligible for other courses. This is why freshers with DLPs are not preferred.

For experienced candidates, it really does not matter whether you are a DLP Graduate or a Full-Time Graduate. Does it really matter whether Russy Modi is a Full-Time Graduate or Part-Time Graduate?? The majority of successful people are non-MBAs.

The last disadvantage is that Management DLP providers do not advertise and propagate the course properly, neither are they interested in Marketing it. They are only interested in making money by attracting students with poor track records.

Sujata, just remember to refer to Chartered Accountancy, Company Secretary, Cost Accountancy, and CFAs. They are all DLPs and not full-time courses, and this much I can tell you that a CA can always give an MBA(Finance) from IIMs a run for their money.

Regards,

SC

As I mentioned earlier, when companies hire people, the order of preference is as follows:

1) Full-Time MBAs from the top 25 Management Schools in India

2) Full-Time MBAs from not-so-good institutes with slightly more experience compared to people from the top 25 institutes.

3) Candidates with Executive MBA

4) Correspondence MBAs from Good Universities and Institutes

5) Correspondence MBAs from Other Institutes.

Certainly, there is a difference between Regular and correspondence/distance MBA.

Here are a few points to consider:

1) Stringent Selection Process in the case of regular MBAs. Passing entrance exams like CAT, XAT, etc., is not easy. Seats are limited, and there is high competition among those pursuing a regular MBA, especially from reputable institutions. Additionally, the fees for a regular MBA can range from 5-7 lakhs, while a Correspondence MBA costs not more than 50,000.

2) MBA is not just about education and knowledge; it is about grooming individuals in various aspects such as building leadership skills, motivating teams, planning strategies, understanding business operations, managing profits, taking risks, time management, handling finances, and related skills. These are areas where regular MBAs excel over correspondence MBAs. Correspondence MBA students often focus solely on passing exams, whereas regular MBA students engage in a more comprehensive learning experience, including a higher volume of case studies.

3) Additionally, lifestyle and accommodations differ for regular and correspondence MBA programs. Regular MBA students are typically required to reside on the institute's campus, away from family and familiar comforts. This aspect is considered a part of grooming future managers.

Considering these factors, it is evident why candidates with a Regular MBA may be preferred in certain scenarios.

This discussion is not meant to demotivate individuals with Correspondence MBAs. However, it emphasizes the importance of patience and growth within an organization rather than immediately seeking job opportunities post-MBA. Just as one may appreciate the difference between dining at a 5-star hotel versus a regular restaurant, the journey of career development requires patience, positivity, and dedication. Those who have pursued Correspondence MBAs may still find suitable opportunities in due time.

Regards,

Sanjeev Sharma

Mr. Sanjeev,

You don't seem to understand the topic discussed and the points emphasized. We were talking about why students pursuing distance education are not even given a chance or not even interviewed.

Quoted: "Then comes, your lifestyle and stay. In most of the regular MBAs, you are expected to stay on the campus of the Institute. No festival. No Family. No Home-Made Food. That is also part of grooming the future managers."

This is what you said, so then where is the family value, and this is not a healthy lifestyle.

Quoted: "Passing entrances like CAT, XAT...etc is not easy. Seats are less and people are more. That shows competitiveness among the people who pursue regular MBA...that too from a good institute. Secondly, there comes the fees...if someone is doing a regular MBA...he is paying anything like...5-7 lakhs for his MBA. Correspondence MBA costs you, not more than 50,000/-."

We never deny the fact that entrance examinations are easier to pass, we know it is very difficult and competitive, and from your words, it shows only people who spend so many lakhs are groomed well. Who asked you not to take them and give an opportunity? Our voice is why do you have a policy that you won't even interview or find out the candidate's knowledge and have just a blind faith that distance education candidates are just doing the course just to pass.

Everybody can't afford the money to do a regular course, and that's why the government has certain facilities like the distance education system to help students who want to pursue their studies. But if companies and HR like you are partial, then it is like you are against the government. Being in such a reputed position, people like you can very well help the deserving candidates and make education value-based, knowledge-based, and skill-based, NOT MONEY-BASED.

Just tell me, if a poor student who has a good interest in the subject but couldn't afford the education, tries to complete the education through such channels provided, and gets himself employed meanwhile and learns a lot of practical knowledge while working, then it is also grooming.

But, you say, unless

he has spent 5-7 lakhs

he has earned a regular MBA

he has stayed on the campus forgetting his family, not celebrating cultural festivals,

and he hasn't been spoon-fed,

HE IS NOT GROOMED WELL.

Why such partiality?

We are never against regular MBA; we know the hard work they put, the competitive exams they face, and the hard work they do. You give first preference to them, no problem. But why this partiality of not even accepting the application of a distance education candidate? Without knowing if he has been groomed well or not.

At least give them a chance to prove themselves, rather than blind faith.

Premlatha, thank you for your detailed comment. I never said that people with a correspondence MBA should not get a chance. Now, the word "chance" is very vague. Who has time to screen that many candidates to select the one? Knowledge, I don't have any doubt that if you have done your MBA along with your work, you might have more knowledge, but that is not the only thing that companies need; there are many other things which I have mentioned in my previous comment. I also mentioned how the selection process works; this is how corporates give preferences.

1) Full-time MBAs from the top 25 management schools in India

2) Full-time MBAs from not-so-good institutes with slightly more experience compared to people from the top 25 institutes.

3) Candidates with Executive MBA

4) Correspondence MBAs from good universities and institutes

5) Correspondence MBAs from other institutes.

I will give you some more examples. I have shared the example of a job advertisement given by Google India where they received more than 1200 applications for one post. Even in our company, we had 46 openings for senior professionals, and we received more than 3200 "relevant" profiles. This happened after we specified that we want full-time MBAs. Imagine if I don't put this specification, then where will my selection process go? In the era where time is running like hell, nobody has time.

In your previous posting, I also mentioned that it is like eating at a five-star hotel and eating at a normal restaurant. Yes, only those who have that type of budget can go and stay or eat in five-star hotels as I mentioned that a regular MBA is costly.

That has nothing to take away from those who are not able to do a regular MBA. I mentioned earlier as well, and I am mentioning again, patience is important. Have positive thinking, don't get frustrated but wait for the right opportunity. There are many companies that don't ask for full-time MBAs. Don't try to jump immediately after completing your MBA. Follow the ladder. If after completing my MBA, I am trying to explore opportunities with IBM or Microsoft or Infosys or Wipro, that will never happen.

So, once again, be positive, don't get frustrated, try to add other skills to your profile, follow the ladder.

Regards,

Sanjeev Sharma

Hi,

Thanks to all for your inputs.

Dear Sanjeev,

It is not a matter of frustration. We all are saying that companies do hire part-time MBA's or Correspondence. But how many of us have really faced this problem? The problem faced by Prem Latha or any other person who has done part-time/Correspondence MBA. I am sure Prem Latha must be facing the same problem, so she knows very well. In fact, I have also received instruction from my manager that we would not consider part-time MBA, though my company is not an MNC.

So the question is, those who have done part-time MBA/Correspondence can't work for MNCs? I think companies should see where the talent is.

Regards,
Sujata

Hi, I would like to say that "everyone is competent and if given the opportunity he/she will perform." There can't be any difference between the top 25 and bottom 25, but as an HR manager, one has to find out whether he/she is competent or not. You can't simply deny an opportunity because he/she has done part-time work.

Some people have mentioned in the article about the students who get into the top 25 business schools are intelligent, but we have to consider other factors such as:
1) skills
2) attitude
3) value systems

Ramadorai, TCS CEO, said, and I quote: "We look for attitude and train for skills."

Hi,

I had discussions with a few Managers (Leaders) who have been in the industry for more than a decade, and everyone accepts that when they hire MBAs, they often do not fit into the organization. In such cases, through lateral recruitment, they prefer to hire individuals with industry knowledge and work experience. Therefore, it is crucial to consider what suits us when exploring opportunities or designing our career path, rather than getting lost in the crowd and compromising our identity over time.

Hiring fresh and experienced MBAs can be a valuable branding tool, but I do not believe that those who engage in this practice truly acknowledge its implications. I recommend that you proactively identify roles that align with your personal and professional goals. While this may take a bit longer to reach mid-management levels compared to others (as there is a common belief that only education defines a person), success ultimately depends on your efforts and passion to excel.

Let's celebrate success.

Regards,

Vijay

Thanks...Vijay and Sujata...

I never said that people with correspondence MBA's don't get the jobs or they are not doing well in career. All I am saying is…look for right type of opportunities in right type of industries. Try to grow step-by-step. Have Patience.

All other things like selection process and selection preferences, I have already explained.

If you know…there is career difference even between those who are from Good Institutes and those who are not from good institutes because they get initial break and good start-up package. That difference can be reduced with step-by-step growth. Same is true for Regular MBA's and Correspondence MBA's…no doubt there is difference…nothing is hidden about the preferences of companies…but that difference can be reduced in a step-by-step growth.

Will it be more appropriate for companies to call everyone for interview and then eliminate that who have done their MBA through distance mode…in the selection process or is it more appropriate to call only suitable people for selection process? Let me know, which hurts less??

Regards

Sanjeev Sharma

Hi Sanjeev,

I believe the question is about what the responsibility of so-called managers is who deny people based solely on their education. As you rightly said before, it's all about grooming. Now, the biggest mistake that people who pursue their PG in distance mode make is that they don't know how to sell themselves, or they don't get a chance to sell themselves because someone is recruiting without proper knowledge.

Let me know how many people in this industry are there to change the quality of life for others from the bottom of their hearts and also not give up for any cause. This is what makes the difference. It's all about the abilities of a professional to mentor his team and himself.

I wish to see more participants in this discussion. Moreover, I have demonstrated my leadership by hiring even some undergraduates alongside MBA graduates, and I want to inform you that I have had similar experiences, both good and bad, with both groups.

Regards,
Vijay

[quote="Sanjeev.Himachali"]Thanks...Vijay and Sujata...

Will it be more appropriate for companies to call everyone for interview and then eliminate that who have done their MBA through distance mode…in the selection process or is it more appropriate to call only suitable people for selection process? Let me know, which hurts less??

think u wld never think anything out of just eliminating the distance education students.if we r raising a voice to call us for the interview,it is for proving our talent and to get hired.at the same time the recruiter shld interview us and if satisfied with the knowledge and skill we have,can hire us.but u talk u dont invite distance education candidates ,just not to hurt them ,by calling them and reject them.y is that u r always thinking only of rejecting them.so,u mean to say just not to eliminate us for doing the course in correspondance,u r publishing in the advertisements that we shldnt apply,so u r saving our time and protecting us from getting hurt.

this attitude hurts than been eliminated without giving a chance.

Hi Archna & Sujata,

This is an interesting discussion. In my point of view, both forms of MBA are useful. If you are young and at the beginning of your career, it is always better to pursue a full-time MBA as it holds more market value. However, in mid-career, if you do not have an MBA and wish to enhance your qualifications, it is not a bad idea to opt for a good correspondence MBA.

Regards,
Indrani

Hi Premlatha,

I do agree with you. They should at least call each and everybody for an interview, and they should follow the same interview process. If they find them suitable, hire them. Why make the policy of hiring only Full-Time MBA?

Thanks, Indrani, for your inputs.

The question here is if we do part-time/correspondence MBA, reputed companies don't consider our candidature. Why is it so?

Dear Sujata and other members who replied to this query... (Whether against or in favor)

In this era...in 21st Century...where "Time is Money" and "Talent is available in Abundance"...companies are very specific as what they are looking for. Hence, the selection process starts from advertisement stage itself. You might have seen various advertisements and Job Specifications...where they mention all or any of the following:

1) Age limit;

2) Type of Industry Experience;

3) Full time or Correspondence MBA (Some job advertisements also mention about type of institutes)

4) Geographical Location

5) Companies also mention that the candidate should have Passport and Visa...

These things are done to narrow the search and streamline the Selection Process.

Selection process of a “Human Capital” is very much similar to selecting a Greeting Card from the Gift Shop. You don't need to go and see all the cards. Do you? Go to the section where you can find your type of cards; Look at the cost or range; Then you consider as for for whom you want to buy the card…hence look and appearance is important; then comes the content of the card. The other cards…that you don't even see…don't feel neglected, because they know that if they are in the Gift Shop…someone will surely come and buy them.

I hope…this will help.

Regards

Sanjeev Sharma

Dear All,

I don't want to write my comment just because; I have 3.5 years of generalist experience and over 4 promotions throughout my start-up career. Neither do I want to comment because I have overachieved all my targets, resulting in an appreciation letter from AT&T, Verizon, Cisco, and IBM. I want to write something because I feel that it's not about the mode through which we approach the course; it is about the passion, hunger, and the drive to progress in HR. Today, as I stand at a crossroads, even after dedicating myself and achieving success, it seems that when I am looking for a change, all my accomplishments do not matter at all. What matters the most is a full-time MBA from a Tier 1 institute.

The funny thing is, most of the BFSI have their CEOs from Sales, and most of such industries do not require a Master's Degree from a Tier 1 institute. They need a good track record and solid experience. Why? Because sales is all about dealing with people and selling whatever the company asks them to sell.

Is HR not about managing resources? Is HR not about managing the human capital?

Grievance handling does not require an MBA from top B-schools; it requires patience and good listening skills (which, I don't think, need to be taught).

How many top B-schools teach the practical recruitment cycle? No top B-school will teach you how to recruit in different domains; they mainly focus on the "Recruitment Cycle." It's not just about learning to walk; it's about being able to navigate the toughest roads without assistance.

Organizational development today is hardly done as taught in books; it is done according to the management. Personally, I believe that management varies as the company changes. Will I truly understand good OD by studying in a regular reputable B-School with someone teaching me OD from their management perspective? It may seem odd, but MNCs and even Indian companies consider practical OD knowledge gained through experience more valuable than theoretical teachings.

Compensation and Benefits: Today, most organizations will go to great lengths to achieve their sales targets. Do you think they really prioritize bookish ideas of benefits? Think twice. Even salaries and company hikes are often determined by the sales performance in a year rather than how well HR managers from top B-Schools are managing the resources.

Payroll: In any organization, if a person who is a high school graduate receives training on payroll for one month, they might perform better than an HR professional with a full-time MBA from a Tier 1 college. Feel free to comment if you disagree.

My friends, I may not be as experienced or mature as most of you here, but I have observed and felt the bias towards correspondence degrees. Please avoid this bias; a good HR is not defined by a mere degree but by attitude and knowledge (which is not necessarily more abundant in regular MBA holders than in correspondence MBA holders).

Regards,

Rahul

If you have the money and time, a full-time MBA is the way to go. An MBA is different from other courses in that, apart from books, a lot of learning comes from your interaction with your peers and classmates, which is missing or significantly reduced in part-time MBA programs.

If, however, you don't have the money or time to pursue a full-time program, then the next best option is part-time. My suggestion is, if you can, go for the full-time option. Companies generally prefer candidates with a full-time MBA over part-time students for obvious reasons.