Choosing Between an MBA and an MA: Which Path Should I Take for My Career?

Considering Further Education: MBA vs. MA

I completed my PGDM from an AIMA-AICTE approved institute. Recently, I attended a walk-in interview for the position of lecturer where they specified a requirement for an MBA degree rather than a PGDM. I am now considering pursuing a distance learning MBA from PTU. Alternatively, I am also contemplating pursuing an MA in Economics or Sociology.

I would appreciate your guidance on this matter.

Regards,
Vikram

I empathize with you on this. Colleges in India are obsessed with the word "DEGREE," although they tend to tone down their rigidity once the candidate is from institutes like IIMs or similar institutes that also offer PGDBA/PGDM.

You can go for any other degree if it is just for the sake of it, according to your specialization and the subjects you can teach. Having a degree will also help you in pursuing an MPhil or PhD in the future if you are looking for a long-term career in the teaching line.

Regards,

It appears as though your PGDM is a distance learning course; am I right? Please may we know how many years of work experience you have?

Have a nice day.

Simhan

I second Archna and Simhan. In addition to the degree, please look for visiting faculty assignments. Start your search with private colleges. Let it be very small in the beginning; the initial goal is to make a start. Focus on facilitating the course as per the syllabus within the stipulated time. See how you can add value with your knowledge and experience. Learn to enable and guide the students. Plan to enroll in a faculty development program as you progress with each step.

If you are an experienced professional, you would add a lot of value through it. Furthermore, it's an excellent way to groom yourself as a faculty member. At the end of the day, when you start working as a lecturer, no matter how many degrees you have, it's your mettle as a faculty that would be put to the test.

Aim for it! Wish you all the best.

Regards,
Cite Contribution

In the ultimate analysis, what matters are your knowledge, skills, and attitudes. A postgraduate degree from a regular university or a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from an institute recognized by potential employers is a quick entry ticket to the platform where you can apply your knowledge, skills, and attitudes to create value! This is the shortest explanation. You have to choose your path and follow it until you succeed. Success will depend on the time at your disposal!

Regards,
Samvedan
May 14, 2011

Dear Simhan,

I have 2 years of work experience as a personality development trainer in various institutes. Yes, AIMA-PGDM has the recognition of DEC and AICTE.

Regards,
Vikram

Dear Seniors, I really appreciate and am very thankful for your valuable views. I have 2 years of work experience as a personality development trainer. The main problem is that I am a PGDM holder, not an MBA, which is a requirement for the assistant professor position. Can I pursue an MBA through Panjab Technical University (Distance Learning)? I am looking forward to your valuable advice.

Regards, Vikram

You need a Master's Degree (like MA, MCom, MBA, MSc, etc.) with a certain percentage of marks (55% in some cases) to be eligible for lecturership. You can get an MBA from any university under any system (distance learning, privately, or otherwise).

Qualifications for UGC-Affiliated Colleges

UGC-affiliated colleges require NET, JRF, or MPhil qualifications as a minimum requirement for the lecturer post, as the starting pay is high now (about ₹40,000 per month gross salary). In your case, as suggested by eminent persons on this site and your proposal to get an MBA from Punjab Technical University, it is quite okay at this point in your career.

Personal Experience and Career Path

From my experience: I started my service with an Engineering Diploma after ISc (1960 Utkal University) and studied BA (Hons) in the evening college (1969 batch Ranchi University). I had to appear at Ranchi University (1973) through XLRI to obtain an MA degree in Labour & Social Welfare since the XLRI diploma was not recognized by IIT for applying to the Ph.D. program in HRD & Management. I achieved all these studies and promotions while serving in TATA STEEL (1963-75) and in NPC from 1975 until 2002, when I retired from service upon reaching my 60th year.

I wish you a very successful career as you are on the right track. I am still active in the HR profession, more or less as a freelancer, and currently on vacation in the USA for six months until the second week of October.

My plan is to remain active until 80 years old (another 10 years from now).

I wish the very best to CiteHR for providing this platform to share and learn from each other.

Regards,
Prafulla K Acharya

I suggest that nowadays there are so many avenues to obtain an MBA degree, so it is better to go for it rather than be content with a PGD, which is not recognized as equivalent to an MBA degree by many employers. Of course, in some companies, they generally accept PGDs for in-house promotions or postings as internal candidates but not for direct recruitments. PGDs are not usually prescribed for higher posts but may be suitable for Management Trainees or Executive levels. However, for lecturers, there is no hope at all, as there are plenty of MBA candidates available.

All the best.

Regards,
Kumar, Bg.