Navigating Career Choices: Can I Start as a Software Engineer After My MBA?

Hi everyone! I need advice for my career startup. I have completed a B.E. in Information Technology with a score of 70.18% in 2012. Currently, I am pursuing an MBA in HR and Marketing, and I am in my final semester. I have not gained any experience in a software job after finishing my engineering due to certain circumstances.

Career Aspiration: Software Engineer

At this juncture, I aspire to begin my career as a "Software Engineer" and subsequently apply my MBA skills. Would there be any issue if I opt for a software engineer position after completing my MBA? If a recruiter questions, "Why did you pursue an MBA if you aim to be a software engineer?" how should I respond? Can anyone suggest the best approach and provide me with a suitable answer, please?

Career Path Advice for MBA Graduates with an Engineering Background

Before acquiring a postgraduate qualification like an MBA, it is mandatory for anyone to be a graduate. In your case, you are a graduate in Engineering in IT. If you look for employment as an MBA (your latest qualification), prospects may be better since your background knowledge of IT will be to your advantage. No employer may be interested in knowing why you did not work after completing your BE.

However, joining an IT company as a fresher, specifically as a software engineer, may not be desirable since you now have a gap compared to another candidate who has just completed their BE-IT. Preference may certainly be for a fresh graduate who may be available to work even as a trainee for one year at low costs. While looking for software engineers, no organization typically searches for MBAs.

Alternative Career Paths in IT Companies

In my opinion, your preference should be for a job such as 'HR Analyst,' 'Customer Support,' or 'Business Analyst' in an IT company that is marketing HR products. These jobs require an MBA (HR) & B.E. (Computers) and some experience as an 'HR generalist.' Since you don't have experience in HR, it may be desirable for you to work as an HR Executive somewhere for 1-2 years before you look for such roles. Alternatively, accept this role as a trainee, with a stipend that can sustain you, work with extreme dedication, learn the job with humility, and make a career. However, as these jobs are 'client-facing,' your communication skills in English have to be excellent. Otherwise, no employer may take you in.

Perhaps the above guidelines can help you choose the right path. Wish you all the best.

Regards

Thank you so much, B.K. Bhatia, for the advice and guidance. I really needed it and appreciate your answer. But if I want to pursue the position of a software engineer, what extra steps do I need to take to reach that position? You mentioned that preference is typically given to freshers, but I have only recently completed two years since my B.Tech. Why is that the case? Why am I unable to apply for a Software Engineer position?