Feeling Stuck Between Finance and HR for My MBA Specialization – What Would You Do?

I have around 4 years of work experience and have mainly worked in mid-level positions like admin, back office, and counselor. I am presently employed with a leading BPO. The reason I joined the BPO at this point is that I had a gap in my career, but this is not the only reason. Before joining, I heard a lot about this company, its work culture, and how people grow after working here. After joining, I found the same things as I had heard. Though it's a BPO job, it will be a great help for me to improve and develop my communication skills, earn quickly, and learn a lot. I have no regrets about joining here.

But I am a little worried about the future. I don't want to be in a mid-cadre or BPO-level position for my whole life. A full-time MBA is not possible for me right now because of a lack of time and money. Working right now is necessary for me. So, I am doing a distance learning program in MBA. I have completed 2 semesters. Now, after a month, I will have to register for the 3rd semester and choose a specialization. I am confused about whether to choose finance or HR. I have done a bachelor's in commerce. Some people say that in India, there is very little scope for HR, and you may get an HR-related job without an MBA, but you can never get a job in finance without an MBA. Now, I am really confused about this. I don't want to specialize in marketing, and I don't have specific experience in HR or finance. All the experience I have is in mid-cadre positions. So, I don't know what would be best for me. After hearing some friends' opinions, I think that if I do an MBA in HR and don't find scope in HR in the future, then at least my MBA in finance degree may help me get some good job opportunities.

However, in the first 2 semesters, I found subjects like organizational behavior, communications, and HRM most interesting compared to financial management and statistics. Now, please suggest what I should do?

Considering an MBA in Finance with an HR Career Path

If I choose an MBA in Finance and, after completing it, look for a job in HR, it is likely that the employer may ask why I am seeking HR positions with a finance degree. What should I answer in such a situation? Alternatively, is it possible to pursue an MBA in Finance and then do a separate one-year distance learning diploma in HR from Symbiosis Distance Learning or another institution to keep more options open? However, having a business degree and a diploma from two separate institutes with different specializations—will this seem odd to employers? The university also offers an option for dual specialization, but I would have to wait one more year for that.

Choosing a Career Stream: HR vs. Finance

First, it appears that you are choosing a stream based on the career prospects it offers. It is true that one can pursue a career in HR without an MBA, just as one can work in accounting with a B.Com and without an MBA in finance. However, you can enter HR or finance but not beyond. The industry does favor an MBA in HR for serious HR roles. You need to be exceptionally talented to rise in HR without an MBA in HR.

Secondly, there are misconceptions about HR being a soft job. This is not the case. An HR professional deals with people with aspirations, feelings, and sentiments and needs to always meet these expectations. Those who wish to pursue HR must have a flair for people-oriented issues and emotional intelligence to excel in their job, just as those who pursue finance must have a flair for numbers, figures, and arithmetic.

Future Prospects in HR and Finance

Regarding the future, as long as people are required to run an organization, HR will also be required and has many specializations. First, you need to figure out where your heart lies, i.e., HR or Finance, and which comes naturally to you. It is better to pursue the stream that you love. Also, ascertain whether an MBA in Finance or a CA has equal chances for career progress in finance. I have heard that CAs are more preferred. Inquire and weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
Mumbai

MBA Specialization: Finance vs. HR

MBA in Finance could be a better option compared to an MBA in HR since a finance professional can surely handle HR, but not the other way around. Finance offers more opportunities compared to HR. HR already has a lot of professionals, and the highest number of unemployed are employed in other jobs.

Please make a suitable decision.

Goodbye and have a bright future.

I agree with Anonymous that an MDA in finance is more weighted/valued than an MBA in HR.

Dear Rinsys, it depends on you. First, you need to make a firm decision about your future. We, as mods and members, can only offer opinions or advice, but the ultimate decision lies with you. Therefore, please make a wise decision and be a good judge.

Thanks.

I do agree with you only on one point - MBA (Finance) is a better option than MBA (HR). But how a finance person handles HR is something I fail to understand. Yes, there are a few people-friendly individuals who can do the soft job, but HR has its own needs and specialization. Most specific and important tasks are never given to people who have no experience and qualification in HR. Perhaps that is the reason why many top-rated companies want MBA/PGD in HR for HR posts, even if it is an HR Executive. In fact, we have many consultancies that also hire and recruit MBA HR as recruiters. They're paid more than their counterparts as the time taken by MBA (HR) to recruit and close a position is considerably less, and the quality is much better.

Understanding Your Situation

From your query, I understand the following: (Please correct me if I'm wrong)

1. You have 4 years of experience in mostly admin or related jobs.
2. You are doing a distance course on MBA and are confused between finance/HR specialization.
3. Your friends and/or relatives advised you on finance because finance is better than HR in terms of job roles.
4. You find HR-related subjects more interesting than finance-related.
5. If you pursue MBA finance, would it be possible to do an HR-related job?

Finance vs. HR: A Comparative Analysis

Finance and HR are different and similar in their ways. Both need analytical and numerical skills. However, in addition to that, HR also requires skills like people skills. We expect an HR person to be people-friendly, able to communicate with all, and easy to approach when needed. These people skills are not mandatory for finance professionals.

HR has several roles to play - Recruitment, Employee Engagement, Training & Development, Performance Appraisal, Benchmarking (a newer concept using Metrics), and many others which require specific knowledge in the required area. So, an HR-qualified person is always preferred over other qualifications. This is especially true in larger firms. Many small and medium-scale companies still believe HR is a back player and hence recruit any person to be in charge of it. Moreover, a small/medium-scale company cannot focus on HR as they have a different culture.

If you find interest in HR subjects, why take up finance and do something that does not interest you? It is not about a year; it is about the whole career and many more years yet to come. Think before you leap. We can only advise you, and each would give you his/her point of concern. You need to weigh what best suits you.

Hope it helped :)

Before suggesting, also think of the constraints that may arise in pursuing an MBA in Finance through "distance" learning.

Advice for Rinsys

If you have a background in Commerce during your graduation, it is advisable to consider pursuing an MBA in Finance.

I have gone through your comments and those of the fellow members. Most of what they say is academically correct, but it's a matter of life and your career. A wrong step or miscalculation can set you back, and the setback will be drastic. Therefore, whatever decision you make must be thoroughly and seriously considered, not only taking into account your present and past experiences, but also your aptitude and interests, financial knowledge, understanding of the financial world, attitude towards coworkers and their problems, as well as the job requirements and challenges in the HR field.

MBA Degree Considerations

In my view, an MBA degree, especially from Distance Learning, is not a very strong qualification, and most large companies do not give much weight to this degree. For a real finance job, one must be a CA/ICWA/CFA, or if pursuing an MBA in Finance, it should be from an elite institute. So, an MBA in Finance from Distance Learning is not a strong qualification to base a career on. You must agree and accept the fact that today's finance world is not the same as it was 30 years ago. To excel in this field, one requires deep and extensive knowledge of finance, which cannot be obtained through a Distance Learning MBA. If a person with CA/ICWA pursues this MBA, the outcome will be different. I'm not saying you can't find a job, but it will not be easy to progress and perform well in the job without full knowledge.

Alternative Career Paths: HR and Marketing

I believe you could consider HR, or if somewhere deep down you find that unattractive, think about marketing. In these two fields, honesty and hard work can lead to great success. Therefore, it's better to opt for HR or marketing, if available, and then pursue further specialization. With your experience and qualifications, I am confident you can thrive in this field.

I wish you all the success.

Regards,

First, I appreciate your courage to seek help.

Life is an 'And' Model, Not 'Or' Model

Life is not an 'or' model; it is an 'and' model. It includes father and mother, teacher and student, you and me, finance, and HR. Be very clear that ultimate top leaders are multi-disciplined and not single-stream people.

The Value of Distance Education

I see a comment that distance education MBA is no good and only MBAs from elite institutions are sought after. It's an absolutely wrong view. People from IGNOU and Kamaraj University are rolling in dollars and dirhams. I want to humbly submit to you, with an experience of 53 years behind me, that the institution and degrees are only gate passes to enter an organization and have some weightage. It is the person and their performance that decides growth.

I come from a local medium school up to class 11, a local new college second batch for inter, BSc from a famous college, but I have been credited and appointed not for my college but for my ability. I am an MBA from IGNOU, PhD from Indore, LLB from a then evening college.

Continue Your Education

So whichever university you are studying with, continue one of your choice subjects. From IGNOU or Kamaraj or Annamalai, do a diploma or degree in other subjects after/along with your present degree. IGNOU PG Dip in Finance/HRM is as educative as any other prime university.

Employer Expectations

I also want to tell you that every employer is not Tata or Birla or Infosys. Every employer looks for the knowledge base of the candidate. So whatever you study, study in-depth and keep at it. I am taking my M.Com exam shortly from IGNOU. So what, in a couple of years, I will be 75.

To repeat, life is an 'and' model, not an 'or' model.

Blessings,

Dr. Ram

Career Path Decision: HR vs. Finance

There are plenty of MBAs in HR (full-time) who are without jobs. Keeping that in view, acquiring this qualification through distance education does not truly enhance your prospects, though your past experience will certainly be useful in obtaining a suitable job in the Personnel & Admin department of an organization. Compared to an MBA in Finance, which aligns with your graduation in commerce, it may not contribute significantly to your career growth due to a lack of relevant experience. You might need to start at an entry-level position in the Finance field.

Considering the above, your preference should lean towards HR, and your focus should be on applying your academic knowledge to your current job so that your 'earn while you learn' motto benefits your current employer as well. However, if you are pursuing your MBA solely with the objective of changing jobs, the immediate growth prospects may not be as promising. Take some time to introspect, and you will find the right answer.

Just want to add, considering your experience and inclination towards HR subjects, you may want to think about completing an MBA in HR. In the long run, you should do a job that you like and love so that you can enjoy your life too, rather than doing a job just for the sake of it.

Regards,
Chanchal

I see that in your questions lie your answers. Yes, I can see that you have more affinity towards HR but are confused since many have advised you for Finance. I believe in one principle: there are many professions, some are in so-called 'demand'. But the basic rule is that if you are good at what you do, you will always have a good job no matter what the job market conditions. For that, you need to know what your aptitude is and what you will love doing every day. If you do not enjoy your job, you will never be good at it, no matter how much that degree is in demand. Many here have given good advice to you, and I don't want to be repetitive. Never be mediocre in a job that has good demand, as you will be just that—a mediocre in that field. Instead, be excellent in the field, and YOU will always be in demand.

Regards,
HANSI

Dear Member,

Presently, you are at the stage where you have to finally choose the best major specialization in your MBA. Opportunities are always there in the market in all fields. You are not a fresher who has just completed a degree course somewhere and is now seeking the best option between HR and Finance. You are skilled, employed, and an independent person; in fact, you have learned a lot while working in BPOs.

I would say you must choose the specialization in which you feel most comfortable and the field that attracts and suits you. From my end, HR would be the best option for you instead of Finance. Listen to your soul and answer yourself why you should go for finance or HR. You will know your answer.

Best Wishes, I am sure you will make the best decision.

Regards,
Manish Srivastava
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Firstly, I would request you to reply to the suggestions and guidance provided by respected members as they have invested their time and experience in guiding you in their own best possible way, RIGHT!!!!!!!!

Suggestions for Career Growth

Secondly, I would suggest the following:

1. First, understand yourself, i.e., your STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES. It would help you explore your zone.
2. Then, understand market needs and how you can be a contributing member. From your query, I felt you are focused on gaining, so I request you to think along this line as well. It will help you grow in a more steady manner.
3. IT'S all about your interest because IT'S about your CAREER.

So, align your STRENGTHS, KNOWLEDGE, and INTEREST. Hope now I CAN FIND YOU ACTIVE.

Regards

I absolutely agree with Ankita. I have recently completed my MBA post-graduation in the HR stream and am currently nurturing my roots in the field of HR. I was also in a dilemma a year back, similar to the one you are in right now. My humble suggestion to you is to opt for an HR specialization because, as you are already on the administration side, it would be an added advantage for you to have a bright future.

As some of our friends mentioned, an MBA in Finance might be a better choice. It could be a better choice with your graduation in the commerce stream and a prominent command over accounting packages (FOCUS, WINGS, ERP, TALLY). I observed the same case with some of my friends with an MBA in Finance specialization. Any company may hire an accounting graduate for general accounting purposes and for auditing purposes only. So, rather than choosing highly qualified candidates (as per the degree in MBA Finance), they are opting for commerce background students. For auditing purposes, they are preferring CA graduates to MBA graduates.

Nowadays, companies are more economical. They are now into a cost-cutting approach. Instead of hiring a high-profile candidate and paying them more, they are selecting a candidate with less attention towards pay and more intention to work.

Rhinoramanan has given a valuable example about regular education and distance education. It doesn't matter in which manner we seek education. At the end of the day, work matters.

Finally, all rivers (waters) reach the ocean whether it is drain or rain.

Benchmarking in HR Trends

Ankita, can you please give an elaborate explanation regarding benchmarking, a new technique in HR trends.

Regards,

Poorna Sasidhar

E-business HR

You should go for an MBA in HR. Since you are involved in interacting and working with human beings, choose HR. Later, after joining any organization, you can further your knowledge by enrolling in diploma or certificate programs from any institute. There are evening classes, weekend/Sunday classes, etc., available to equip you with financial skills theoretically and practically.

Good luck.

Regards,
Vinod Kumar Mishra
Assistant Professor, HR Trainer

I felt that merely "appreciating" your post would not be adequate; it deserves a few explicit words. Your post is not just an opinion but distilled wisdom from years and years of hardcore experience. I found these words particularly inspiring:

" I am taking my M.Com exam shortly from IGNOU. So what if in a couple of years I will be 75. "

You have demonstrated that learning is a lifelong process, and this will definitely inspire others and give them the impetus and courage to pursue an academic course of their choice, which they always wanted to pursue but felt discouraged due to their age, at any point in time. I shall welcome and look forward to more of your contributions on CiteHR.

Warm regards.

Thank you, everybody, for your valuable suggestions. I really appreciate all of you for investing your valuable time and efforts in providing opinions. I would like to apologize for the delayed response. As I am working in shifts, I couldn't manage to reply on time.

@Navneetsarin, Yes, you are right that an MBA from distance learning is not a very good qualification, but now I don't have the time and capacity to prepare for entrance tests and the money to get admission to some good but private institute. For me, right now, working and earning is necessary. Also, I am 31, which is actually too late to study. But I am doing an MBA with the thought that "Distance MBA is better than No MBA."

I have often seen that for various jobs, companies demand "MBA qualification." If you check online job portals, it is often mentioned in requirements like "Any MBA – any specialization." Now, if I apply to any jobs without an MBA, it may happen that my application gets filtered or rejected there itself if no MBA is stated on my resume. If I have an MBA (though distance) qualification mentioned on my resume, I may get interview calls, and there at least I get the opportunity to perform in an interview and prove myself. So, keeping that in mind, I am doing a distance MBA. Also, I am really interested in studying management subjects, and nowadays, having an MBA degree has become very common, and everybody has this as a minimum qualification. I too don't want to lag behind.

Now, coming to my confusion between finance and HR. Like Saiconsult stated, those who want to pursue finance must have a flair for numbers, figures, and maths. My number-crunching and mathematical skills are mediocre—not too bad, but can't be as good as CAs or CFAs. However, I can manage to study finance subjects in my MBA course because the course, being distance learning, is easier compared to full-time courses in elite institutes. Also, I have checked the core finance subjects offered as a specialization by the university from which I am pursuing an MBA right now; most of them I already studied in B.Com & M.Com. However, in specialization, I may study some subjects in a little more detail. As far as knowledge of the subject is concerned, I can gather knowledge by studying management books of various other publications and through experience. So, it's not like my knowledge will be limited to the course I am studying. The MBA I am doing is not that great, but I want it on my resume. It is not the only thing that will help me develop the knowledge; that is something I will need to make efforts in various other ways too.

But the question is, in which field should I proceed further, HR or finance? I have no experience in either of them. I don't have knowledge of Tally or ERP; however, I would like to learn that. As I mentioned in my previous post, I have worked at mid-level positions like front desk, telemarketing, customer care, admin, and counseling. I would like to share a few more things about myself or that I have in my mind. I know that you gave a lot of your time to read my thread and provide suggestions above, but if possible, please one more time go through my post and finally suggest to me what's best for me. In the end, I will go with what my heart says.

Here are a few things/confusions in my mind,

- I feel that I can study both finance and HR, but during my first semester, I liked subjects like Organizational Behavior and HRM the most.

- I feel that I already studied some subjects related to finance specialization in M.Com (external); however, my percentage in M.Com was very low. So, I feel, why not study new subjects in HR?

- But then again, I fear fewer job prospects in the HR field (like I mentioned in my first post about the suggestions of friends/relatives/faculties, etc.).

- I am attending classes every weekend at the study center of my university—Saturday evening and Sunday full day. These classes are optional. Now, if I take HR, then the study center refuses to arrange classes. They are telling me that only if a minimum of 7 students take HR will we arrange classes; otherwise, you can only attend classes for common subjects. We can't arrange it specially for less than 7 students as we have to pay the faculties. The faculty and counselor over there are telling me, "Why do you want to take HR? It has no value, and so no one from your batch is choosing it. There is no such thing as HR in India. It is in the infant stage." There are almost 50 students in my batch; I wonder why no one wants to take HR. Most boys are preferring Marketing, Operations, and Finance. Only 2-3 more girls are interested in HR, but the number is not enough for special classes to be arranged.

- It's not that I can't study without the help of classes, which are optional, and the course is distance learning anyway, but these weekend classes give me the feel of doing a full-time course, and I get to learn at least something from faculties and co-students.

- Deep down, I am interested in HR, but one more thing that I am afraid of taking HR is that, like many here stated, those who seek to specialize in HR must have good communication and interactive skills, must be a people's person, and have emotional intelligence, etc. Now, the thing is, I am not sure if I am a people's person. But I like to observe and understand people; I can know what's going on in their minds, but I am not sure if I can lead, deal with, and manage (especially difficult) people. I like to read articles and books on psychology; I have read some books related to parenting and its effects on people's personalities, values, and attitudes, etc. So, I like to understand people, and I believe that I am an observer of people, but frankly, the thing is that I am a sensitive, introverted, and shy person. I am trying to be open, but somehow not able to get over it due to some apprehensions, but I am working on it, and I hope to change. I had difficulty dealing with difficult people in the past. I lack fluency in language, communication, and presentation skills right now and become nervous in front of an audience—I am working on it. I worked as a counselor. I was comfortable in tele-counseling or one-to-one counseling, but when asked about giving a presentation at a seminar, I used to back off. As a result, they removed counseling as my primary duty and shifted me to admin and MIS. At my workplace, I see HR people as good communicators, speakers, and announcers. I am not sure how much time it will take to be like that, but I really want to be like them.

- Though people say that MBA-finance has better options, I did some research on job portal sites. First of all, most banks recruit people less than 28 or 30 years of age (I am 31); some big companies are considering the age of candidates, especially for finance-related positions. Then, financial analyst jobs are available very less, and if available, then most of the companies require an MBA full-time degree or CA/CFA/ICWA, etc. Now, the rest of the jobs that are available in the finance field are like "Relationship Manager," "Advisor," "BDM," and all these positions are related to selling financial products. Some of the jobs are in BPOs and KPOs, like accounting processes or mortgage processes, etc. All these jobs require either a degree in finance or experience in that particular field, and they pay well. But all those jobs are more of marketing/selling jobs rather than finance. Right now, I may be able to do such jobs, but in the long run, I don't want to grow in marketing for sure. However, my research could be wrong, as the majority of people say that finance has many options, but I am not sure.

- So, after considering all this, even I feel that HR is good for me, but what about job prospects and what about the skills required for HR that I lack partly? Partly because I have an interest and some flair for it, like emotional intelligence and understanding people, but on leadership skills as well as communication, I am a little less confident right now. But I badly want to work on it. One regret in my mind is that nowadays I see very young people having excellent communication and leadership skills, while despite being experienced, I haven't developed in this part yet. Some of my seniors and supervisors at my workplace are much younger than me. A few incidents took place in my life that led me to be like this, but I believe that I am much better than I was before, but still like a work-in-progress and not fully groomed.

Regards.

Thank you for the reply to my comment and for providing in-depth information about yourself and your concerns. Now, I understand that you may have responsibilities, and although you may feel that pursuing an MBA at a later age may not be as beneficial as a regular MBA, remember that an MBA is still valuable for future promotions. As for your question about HR/Finance/Marketing, if your college does not offer HR, consider exploring other options.

While a job in Finance may not be easy to come by, positions in BPO/KPO, especially if you are proficient in English, may be more readily available. These roles could also serve as a stepping stone towards HR positions with competitive salaries.

Regarding HR or Administration roles, initially, you may not be overseeing a large department. Interviews are often conducted by owners/directors of small companies or department heads in larger corporations. HR professionals typically handle tasks such as shortlisting candidates and preparing appointment letters or negotiating packages.

Your M.Com degree should equip you to manage financial responsibilities like calculating wages, overtime, deductions, and maintaining attendance and leave records with ease.

As for the more significant HR responsibilities, such as industrial disputes and wage negotiations, these are typically managed at higher levels, and it may take time to reach that level. Remember, everyone learns and grows at their own pace, so have confidence in your abilities to learn and adapt.

You mentioned being sensitive, introverted, and shy, struggling with communication and presentation skills, and feeling nervous in front of audiences. These challenges may stem from various factors, such as your background or lack of confidence. It's essential to focus on your strengths, such as honesty, sincerity, and dependability, rather than comparing yourself to others. Improving your English skills through reading and taking language courses can also boost your confidence.

Remember, self-confidence is key to your success. Avoid overly criticizing yourself and focus on your positive traits. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and you will overcome any obstacles.

I hope this advice helps boost your self-confidence.

Best wishes.

Mr. Navneet Sarin has given very valuable tips on how to navigate your career and overcome your mental blocks. With some experience, an MBA through distance education carries equal value as that of a regular one. I have known people who have become Vice Presidents of HR with an MBA through distance education, supported by their experience. I know individuals from street schools who speak more impeccable English than those from conventional educational backgrounds. Nothing is impossible if you are determined. I admire the efforts you are making to become someone. When there is effort, the fruits will automatically follow. You need not worry. Try to have an inner circle (of friends or relatives) who can walk alongside you and assist in achieving all-around growth on your journey.

All the best.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labor Law Advisor
Mumbai

Dear all, I would like to know about a career in HR or Quality (after completing Six Sigma Certification). Presently, I am working in the HR department, but there is no learning, so I am thinking of changing my department to Quality. Please suggest the right way. Regards

I would like to suggest two matters:

Career in the BPO Sector

There is a lot of scope to grow in the BPO sector. The key is to hit the right nail. If you are in an admin-related job, you can definitely apply to your HR department so that when the opportunity arises, you will be considered first. I have seen people grow from customer support to trainer, HR, quality supervisors, and more. It's up to you how you develop that opportunity and make good use of it.

Your Further Studies

After reading your post, I think you are more of a people's person, which is the first and foremost quality of an HR professional. But if you are unsure, you can first pursue a 1-year part-time diploma in HR (Welingkar, NMIMS offer such courses). Then you can decide on your next steps. Simultaneously, you can also take up a junior role in the HR department, which will help you explore more and gain hands-on experience.

Why not dedicate 1 year to discover your interests rather than risking your entire career?

I hope this helps you.

Regards,
Poonam.

@Rhinoraman, dear friend, you are absolutely right, and so is Gurgaon HR. In the end, it's me who has to make a firm decision. However, if people want to drop their suggestions, please let them. I still have one month to decide. Yeah, all the doubts that I had in my mind I already conveyed, and now I will not confuse it further or keep on asking for more suggestions. But yeah, if someone wants to write something of their own will or wants to advise anything further, then I would appreciate it, and in the end, will make a decision accordingly. Maybe I or others may get some better inputs/suggestions from more comments made by more people, so let the comments flow in. I request not to ask to stop commenting in the thread.

It is necessary, no doubt, to decide on career options based on their prospects. However, every stream has its own prospects because all are necessary to run a business, especially when the business needs to comply with a plethora of laws and face new challenges in terms of money, manpower, and marketing. What is important is whether you are cut out for that kind of career, which means whether you have the right aptitude and traits required to fit into the career you are aspiring for. This question needs to be answered first. There is no point in feeling like a square peg in a round hole later.

Regards,
B. Saikumar

I would firstly want you to understand what your strengths are. Where does your heart lie? What would you want to do 30-35 years down the line?

Why Understanding Your Strengths is Important

Your friends suggest you take up sales/marketing as your major in MBA because of its scope. Now honestly, sales and marketing are two different fields, which you'll get to know eventually during your course period. Sales is selling your company's product, whereas marketing is educating people about your product. I hope you can see the thin line between the two.

Another thing. Say, for example, you're good at handling accounts but take up marketing/sales due to its scope. Trust me, you wouldn't be happy throughout your career and would also curse all the people who advised you to take that up.

Again, if you ask different people, they will direct you in different directions, so the best answer would be available to you from within.

Steps to Find the Best Career Path

1. List down your strengths on a piece of paper - smallest to biggest. Take your friend's help to prepare a list of your strengths.
2. Based on your strengths, decide which way to go.
3. Also, list down on a piece of paper all your weaknesses and negative points.
4. Compare your qualities to the needs of the profiles and accordingly make a decision. Please note that your interest level is as important.

The reason to do this is, say, for example, you wish to take up sales or marketing, but you lack patience. You wish to work on your projects but can't handle delays. How would you work in sales? If you ask the best salesperson, you'll find they have immense patience and lots of hope for the future.

A marketing and an HR professional are people's persons. If you don't love to interact with people, you wouldn't be happy with your profile. If you're not the person who can listen to people's problems, HR would be boring for you.

It's all about your interest backed with the qualities you have...

Ankita has provided an excellent analytical approach to help you sort out your dilemma. One needs to conduct such aptitude, trait, and strength analyses to ensure the decision is meaningful and appropriate for you.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
Mumbai

I have planned to pursue a Correspondence MBA from either Mumbai's Welingkar Institute or NMIMS. However, I am unsure about the equivalence of the degree of MBA and PGDM. Both colleges offer only PGDM through distance education. Can you please help me with this?

Curriculum-wise, there's not much change, honestly. However, if you wish to continue further studies and perhaps go for a Ph.D., then PGD becomes a problem. I'm facing a problem searching for a university that would allow me to register myself for a Ph.D. I fail to understand if MBA and PGD are rated equal, why is a PGD not accepted for a Ph.D.?

Every domain has scope unless or until you are great at that specialization. For example, many young people think Sales & Marketing is a challenging job and believe that there is no scope. They then pursue SAP for 2 years, acquire a lot of fake experience, and find it very difficult to get into an MNC. However, if you excel in Sales or excel in Marketing (which your school/college would have emphasized), then why should you be worried about the future?

Just to add more to your confusion... why can't you specialize in operations? You may find job opportunities in procurement, purchasing, backend, or administration roles.

You have received many good opinions. I give you one suggestion: "Choose only a field in which you are interested, whether it may be Marketing, HR, Operations, IT, Crafts, or whatever. Note that every field is important, so it's better to look into your heart rather than just following market trends. Best of luck."

With Regards,
Vineet Deshmukh

Your experience is in HR only. Finance studies are good for a regular course because they need full guidance. According to me, the HR option is good for you because you want to go for distance learning. HR studies are comparatively easier than Finance.

All are discussing your educational selection, but you need to identify your aspirations and preferences. Without satisfaction, your job is not completed in the organization. I have reviewed your concerns, but I do not support your comment that "all persons can do HR-related work." I have a question for you: Are you satisfied with your previous administrative job? Please reconsider this question before proceeding. Here, you will receive a clear answer regarding the differences between the work of MBA graduates and non-graduates.

Moreover, with your extensive experience in administration, you can enhance your skills by adding qualifications. This will provide you with the knowledge and ability to perform work in an innovative manner. After making these changes, compare your previous work with the new skills, and let me know about the significant changes.

Please feel free to reach out if you need further assistance.

Best regards,
Regards

Why Choose an MBA in Finance?

Blindly go for an MBA in Finance. I have mentioned some reasons below:

• The Finance department is inevitable in any organization as all companies need to maintain funds through a proper channel.

• Companies ask MBA Finance professionals to take on HR activities where they want to save a few bucks.

• Finance gives you insight into the financial status of the company and can advance your career.

• You may not be terminated immediately as you will need to transfer knowledge to your successor. You shall get your notice period.

• You can upgrade your knowledge in SAP and increase your qualifications to an MBA in Finance later. This may prove to be very helpful in the future.

Please let me know if you need further information or assistance.

Best regards,

I understand the subject matter, but I have one question for you: can you please suggest some important aspects of good HR practices and how to manage them effectively?

Firstly, I would like to thank Dr. Ram for his beautiful words and guidance. Thank you, sir, as a reader, your guidance and words meant a lot to me too. After Dr. Ram's guidance, I don't think there is a need for any more guidance from anyone else; however, I would like to contribute my suggestions and hope this contributes to selecting the appropriate specialization for you.

My Experience and Advice

I have 4 years of experience in the software field and am currently pursuing an MBA in HR (Regular, 4th semester). I suggest you follow your interests regardless of the job opportunities that the market may offer you in the near future.

Based on my personal experience, I can say that it's not just about the money or having a job at hand that matters, but the "kind" of job (HR/Finance) in which you would invest 10-12 hours of your daily routine that truly matters. Skill yourself in your interested field (HR/Finance), and no market is limited for a skilled candidate.

Engaging in a job you are not interested in or less interested in would only lead to job dissatisfaction and increased stress.

Regards,
Sindhuja

You are really confused. You are actually asking us to choose between an apple or an orange, not a Kashmiri Apple or American Apple. Look categorically, both finance and HR are different fields. Maybe you are confused because you see them as job sources that give you a stable feeling and earn money for you.

It might sound rough, but none of the distance learning educations are comparable to full-time courses. Remember, you will face tough competition if someone else is in the race with full-time MBA experience. Choosing between Finance or HR should be completely based on your confidence level and interest. Both fields require different expertise to perform well. As you have already decided that MARKETING is not your cup of tea, then you must have strong reasons for it. Likewise, find reasons in HR & Finance. I am sure you will definitely arrive at a conclusion.

My objective is to make you aware of the realities. Certainly, distance learning courses will offer you good opportunities to advance your career from the current position. But you need to find interest in one subject and enjoy working on it. I am sure one can achieve extreme success if interest is there as a vital component. You should consider multiple views, but when it comes to decision-making, it should be only you who decides on a career path.

Good luck,

Regards

I am an MBA student specializing in HR. Obviously, finance has scope in India, but it's not the only factor to consider in your career. Go and select what you like. You mentioned that you like OB and communication. If you are interested in that, then don't bother about the scope and all things. If you have the potential and ability to learn, opportunities will follow you.

Firstly, let me congratulate you on your interest in pursuing an MBA. The course not only offers a good salary but also enhances your competence and provides valuable exposure.

Specializations in MBA

There are various specializations in MBA, such as:
- Marketing
- Human Resource
- Finance
- Foreign Trade
- Operations Management

Each of these specializations has its own significance and opportunities. The choice depends on your interests and how you envision your MBA journey.

MBA Finance

This course focuses on the economic and financial aspects of companies. Understanding market trends and handling challenging situations are crucial for this specialization. If you have a passion for economics, this could be the right path for you.

MBA Human Resource

In contrast to Finance, this specialization teaches you how to manage customers and clients effectively. Strong communication skills and the ability to support and motivate people are essential. It involves managing the human resources of a company to enhance their performance, offering great exposure and opportunities for networking.

It is advisable to consider the potential challenges of pursuing MBA Finance through a distance learning program. If you have a background in Commerce at the undergraduate level, opting for MBA Finance is recommended; otherwise, it may not be the best fit.

Take your time to carefully consider your options before making a decision.

Thanks

Hi, I am doing an MBA, specializing in Human Resources and Marketing. However, I am a little confused about whether this is a good option for my future. Can you please advise me? Thank you!

Hello, I have completed B.Com (Computer Application). I am really confused. Please help me find the solution. I now have two options: MBA in Finance or MBA in HR. Which one is suitable for me?

Choosing a Specialization: HR or Finance?

I had taken MPC in my intermediate, and I am doing BBA now. Now it's time to choose a specialization. I am confused about whether to take HR or Finance.

I have completed 5 internships in the HR field but have not done any internship in the finance field. I am just clueless about finance. I find HR subjects interesting, and I just don't understand a few finance problems.

People say that in the HR field, promotions are slow, and the salary packages are lower, while in finance, there is a lot of scope, and promotions come quicker. So, what should I do now? Should I choose HR or finance?

Dear Colleague,

Choosing the Right Career Path

What field of career to choose is to be decided by you and you only. Any outsider can tell the merits and limitations only. You decide on your own, and the only deciding factor according to me is YOUR PASSION.

Career Prospects in Finance

No doubt both HR and Finance are good careers, and in my prediction, in the coming days, Finance will be shining, provided you are able to complete CMA (most recommended) or CA and later FCA level (comparatively tough, hence not suggested). CMA is highly demanded in the growing field of Banking and microfinance institutions. You have to assess your ability to complete these courses and visit a nearby government center to understand the syllabus and the subjects you need to pass in CMA. CMA + SAP skills are evergreen job-oriented programs and highly paid. Then you take a call after meeting someone who has done CMA already and who can guide you properly.

Career Prospects in HR

If you want to grow in HR, it is an everyday challenge, and a lot of changes are happening as it is moving too much into automation and less and less of human orientation. Hiring is the only major job nowadays done by most of the HR. It is looked at as an attractive job, but in real life, it is a tougher job in handling people, and payments are attractive only for hiring jobs in most sectors. If you are a specialist in HR Automation/Data Analytics, etc., then the future is there but not comparable to CMA. This is purely a suggestion, and everything else depends on your capability and capacity to decide your future. All the best and God bless!!!