The exploding numbers of engineers graduating annually in India are in a problem whether to pursue MBA. Majority of the MBA aspirants land up in b-schools because of either the low quality of engineering curriculum which led to the loss in interest in technical subjects or the lack of enough engineering jobs in India that requires them to consider for post-graduation. But they don’t have the desire to pursue Masters in Technology and thus, find themselves writing the cat exam. Quite many a times peer pressure and the stereotype that MBA graduates are paid more than the engineers also shape their decision to opt for MBA.
But these are not sufficient comprehension as to why one should go for MBA. Being an EC engineer myself and an employee at Cognizant for 20 months, I decided to pursue MBA for the fast-track career growth and eventually a higher salaried job. After one-year preparation for CAT and clearing the levels of GD/PI process, I am now in K J Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research (SIMSR), Mumbai. After being here for almost three months, I am convinced that there are abounding apprehensions as to why engineers should consider MBA.
Here are five primary considerations for the engineers in a dilemma for pursuing MBA
• Fast-track your career and Develop managerial skills
Mid-career software professionals have honed their technical skills to maximize learning and there comes the point when the career graph flattens. An engineer not only rises beyond the mechanical hold to suit for a managerial role but also expands his or her skill set in all dimensions after MBA.
Frequent Guest Lectures in SIMSR invite great personalities who have created an impression or their brand value in the market, have achieved exceptional growth in their lives. Some of them have been the alumni of my institute. The knowledge imparted and experience shared has been quite inspiring and instills positive energy for students to work diligently on the following paths.
• Better Exposure to Real World
As an engineer, I have developed a deep understanding of the technical knowledge and have gained experience with various technologies. However, an MBA prepares you for the real world challenges. In SIMSR, the foremost thing I learned is Time Management amidst the hectic schedules of its curriculum.
Lectures are conducted throughout the week, and a continuous assessment is a part of the curriculum including class participation, assignments, presentations, case studies, and tests. Beyond the books, students also engage and enroll for the live projects, guest lectures, certifications, and research papers. All such programs help in providing the real-world experience as we get the platform to implement practical applications.
• Gain Holistic Knowledge of Firms
As a human, understanding the market is quite essential as we are a part of it and dwell into it. Even in a technology-driven world, engineers need to go beyond creating products to study the market and the requirements of people. In SIMSR, first-year students have to review the basics of all specializations and then chose the desired field next year. It gives us an opportunity to develop an outlook towards all areas of management and understand the scope of each field. The diverse subjects as part of the curriculum in MBA help in imbibing the holistic knowledge of all sectors to be flexible managers in a dynamic and rapidly transforming world outside.
• Implements decision making and problem-solving
Business requires us to deal with the macro level problems and be able to manage the entire operation which involves decision making. At SIMSR, various HBR case studies as a part of the curriculum have helped me to develop and groom my analytical as well as reasoning abilities that play a crucial role in decision making.
• Enhance Global Perspective
The Semester Exchange Programs in various b-schools help students in expanding the functional competencies and transforming the students’ view of Global Business Perspectives. They also help one gain the practical experience in global management and develop cross-cultural sensitivity. SIMSR is affiliated with many foreign universities across the globe for various Student Exchange programs. Also, foreign language learning as a part of the curriculum at SIMSR has helped me widen my skill set.
Hence, MBA transforms a novice graduate into a polished professional with a distinguished personality.
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Comments
Ramesh Singh
Looking at the latest developments in the case I might come in better prepared but now we can say that govts on maharashtra, Kerala and Goa have not found any problem with our product.. We can go to a third person authority that could provide a mark of quality control. Find out if there is one batch in a particular state that has gone wrong or the problem is more deep rooted! Until then a firm deniance of foul play is sagacious
3 Jun 2015, 06.39 PM
Gaurav Singh
My priority would be in the following order: 1) Prevent the brand image from getting tarnished any further- For this, I will focus on communicating with the customer using Below The Line activities like nutrition charts/ placards/ information handouts at all the kirana stores as well as malls with details of ingredients and certified test reports of all other Nestle products like chocolates/ ketchups/ dairy products etc. This will help to reinforce the trust on brand 'Nestle' and prevent a huge drop in the topline. 2) 'MAGGI' conundrum: The present crisis on brand 'Maggi' is because of media hullabaloo as FDA certified report is not yet endorsing the claim of UP FDA claims of high MSG and lead content. Being an international player, it is obvious that 'Nestle' would not be taking 'Quality Control' lightly. Hence there is every chance that the case may be a stray incident. Assuming so, once the truth comes out in a few days, Nestle should initiate a widespread campaign projecting its product quality and overall brand excellence. The current competitors of 'Maggi' i.e. Top Ramen and Yippee!! have not yet come out with any aggressive marketing campaign targeting 'Maggi'. 'Maggi' should act proactively by sharing all the test reports, and admitting truth if at fault (at some places). However, it should be in a similar way like when BMW/ AUDI recall their vehicles for small refits/ quality issues even after being iconic car brands. 3) Target its biggest market: The biggest market of 'Maggi' are the students in hostels, bachelors in cities and other such urban highly-mobile people. These customers are generally an intelligent lot who will not blindly fall for the TRP hogging news of the visual media. Also, they are highly active on social media like Twitter and Facebook. 'Maggi' brand should concentrate on them for its rebound strategy. 'Maggi' should come out with hard facts, certified by reliable agencies, which should then be spread virally on social media. This generation (especially the 1985-2000 born people) being its biggest consumer, will help the brand to grow again from its nadir. Do give your review on my idea :)
3 Jun 2015, 08.45 PM
Rajesh Srivastava
Gaurav thanks for sharing your thought in such great depth & detail. My apology for delay in responding ... Your points are valid provided Maggi is in the right. But as you can see that even the courts have upheld the ban & Maggi has offered to stop putting the 'No added MSG' on its pack. If Maggi was in the right then: Your Point 1: Agree. It is a good idea Your Point 2: Agree. Your Point 3: Agree. Just for your information, generation born between 1985 - 2000 are referred to as Millennial.
13 Jun 2015, 08.07 PM