Is Now the Right Time for Me to Pursue an MBA While Working? Seeking Career Advice!

Hello all,

I am Richard from Chennai, 24 years old, working as a software professional in Chennai for the last 1.5 years. It has been a dream from my school days to do my M.B.A after my engineering, but due to family situations, I joined the first company I attended (I am happy with my current job and getting a decent salary). However, it has been in the bottom of my heart that I want to do my M.B.A!!

Now, what I have been planning is to try to do M.B.A through distance education or part-time. When will it be worthwhile to do this program, at this period, or after gaining a few more years of experience? My belief is, if I start the program next year, then I could complete it in 2 years. By that time, I will be having around 4 years of experience + a degree in management. Will the degree help me in moving to the next level of my career as a project lead or team lead something? Will I be getting a cutting-edge advantage over other candidates with my experience but don't have the degree? So, to summarize:

- Is this the right period to start my M.B.A or after a few years? If after years, then how many years from now?

- Will the part-time degree added with my experience give me an advantage for moving into managerial positions?

Any HR professional or anybody out there, please give me suggestions/ideas. Thanks in advance to all!!

Dear Richard,

It's nice to find a technical guy interested in getting into management. In my opinion (which may differ from person to person), you can continue your career for another 1 or 2 years. Consider joining companies that sponsor employees to pursue executive management programs with IIM or other institutes.

May God bless you!!!

Regards,
Kalpana

Hi Kalpana,

Thank you for your response. I have given it some thought. The issue with pursuing an MBA sponsored by my company is that I would be required to have a bond with them for 2 years. This commitment extends to staying with the current company I am employed in and potentially other companies as well. This would mean I am restricted from moving on from the organization for a total of 4 years, which is quite a significant amount of time. Therefore, I am considering studying independently.

Do you happen to know of any reputable part-time institutions in and around Chennai where I could pursue my MBA? I would greatly appreciate your assistance.

Thank you very much.

Hi, It is nice to know that you are interested in doing your MBA. Don't bother about the difference your degree certificate would make after you complete your MBA. Take it as your personal interest and do it. I'm sure you would get to learn at least something out of it. Having an MBA degree is always an added advantage. You could try Manipal University or Symbiosis; these institutes offer distance learning programs. So cheer up and go ahead!!!!

Regards, Vedha Bopaiah

Dear Mr. Richard,

There is a Twinning programme offered by Loyola and Pondicherry University. The classes are conducted on Sundays. It is a very good programme. Alternatively, you have an MBA programme conducted by Madras School of Social Work in the evening. You can also consider that option. Another possibility is pursuing an Executive MBA offered by some private institutes.

Being in Chennai, you have plenty of options, and you can choose the one that is most beneficial in terms of quality, scope, and cost.

Thank you.