Congratulations on making it through the b-school interview hustle! You've earned some downtime to relax and celebrate. But, with a wait until results and the whirlwind of pre-term activities, including pre-MBA courses, a month can feel like a long stretch.
This is the perfect opportunity to jumpstart your b-school journey! Consider diving into some courses or resources related to your chosen specialization. It'll give you a head start on the academics and keep your mind sharp for the busy semesters ahead. Check out this list of courses to keep you engaged before the b-school craziness begins!
Marketing:
- Read Kotler – Marketing Management by Philip Kotler, Kevin Lane Keller will be your Holy Bible for the next two years in marketing, it’s better to at least be acquainted with Jesus before!
Pro-Tip: You can find the PDF version of the book in just one Google search.
- Online marketing fundamentals by Google – A free online marketing course by Google, a blessing in disguise this is. A must go through before stepping into the marketing world. This course will provide you with the fundamentals of digital marketing. It is a 23-module course that can be done in a week. Doing this course will bring Google in your CV, making it more noticeable. this course: Here
- Google Academy for Ads: If you think that Online marketing fundamentals by Google is just child’s play and if you want to deep dive into the world of online ads, then let’s talk business now.
- Google AdWords: This tool is used to make paid online ad campaigns on Google’s search and display network. To learn more about it and to earn an AdWords certificate visit:
- Google Analytics: It is a tool used to manage free and paid online ad campaigns on Google’s search and display network. It is used to measure various parameters such as CTR, Impressions, average rank, etc. to quantify the reach of your marketing campaigns with Google. You can access the learning module and take the certification exam:
- Other than these: Apart from Google AdWords and Analytics some more tools will make you the master of the online marketing world. YouTube ads, DoubleClick, and Digital Sales to name a few. All of these can be found:
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Facebook marketing and pixels, Hubspot Inbound marketing are terms you should be familiar with. Research about them a bit to not become the dark horse in the family!
Finance:
If you have been a finance person, then the road is smooth. But, if you are an engineer or from the arts, it’s better to have an insight into the world.
Financial Modelling whether done as part of your MBA or as a separate course before your MBA is a must for investment banking. The more fluent you are in setting up spreadsheets, modeling deals in Excel (VBA), and most importantly the ability to explain the numbers to someone will put you at the top of the pack and provide you with a chance to continue using those skills as you finish your schooling.
Chartered financial analyst (CFA): The CFA program is an excellent option for those fascinated by a career in the Finance area. It is a very exhaustive and long course so you may want to start preparing for it before starting your MBA.
Financial risk manager exam: As the name suggests, this exam is for those professionals attracted to a career in risk management. There are two levels involved: part I and part II. This is an internationally acknowledged certification exam offered by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). It is a multiple-choice exam held two fold a year in November and May. The preparation time would depend a lot on your background your academic qualification and experience. Certified information systems auditor: The CISA certification is an international standard awarded by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
Operations:
Six Sigma: It is a methodology adopted in any process to ensure minimum waste by recognizing areas of improvement and bottlenecks. These techniques are improved over time and today it is taught in various levels of expertise. These levels are yellow belt, green belt, black belt, and master belt. Being a Six Sigma Green Belt certified is good for any MBA student irrespective of any specialization.
Common for all: Some things are common for students of all specializations:
Data Analysis Tools: HR Analytics, Business Analytics, and Big Data have a great demand these days and it is only going to increase in the future. There are various tools available online such as R, SPSS, Rapid Miner, and Tableau to name a few, which can improve your data analysis and data communication capabilities.
Photography, Photoshop, and Corel Draw: “Every monkey with a DSLR is a photographer” This is a popular urban saying these days. However, being a photographer is always better than being nothing. Photography skills can help you to get into any major committee at your b-school. Even if you do not have a DSLR, you can learn Photoshop and Corel Draw. These tools also can help you get into a committee and you can design a campaign banner to a T-shirt with these tools.
Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is crucial as it enables you to analyze complex data sets, perform financial modeling, and make data-driven decisions. You should know Excel's advanced features such as pivot tables, formulas, and charts. Additionally, Microsoft PowerPoint proficiency allows you to create impactful presentations, showcasing your ideas and findings in a visually compelling manner, thus enhancing your communication and persuasive abilities.
Getting knowledge is part of education but being physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy is also important. Before joining the B-school, you should spend most of the time with your family as you will get very few long vacations here. Visit all the hangout spots in your city once, join a gym, meet relatives, and most importantly part be stress-free and healthy.
All the best for your new journey ahead!