How to get maximum out of MBA program
- 1. (A division of KgGuruji Consulting & Services) Note 1 “KgGuruji Consulting & Services, Training session for higher education participants” Each year approximately 200,000 students complete their Masters in Business Management program or Post Graduate Diploma in Management program from approximately 4000 b-schools in India. Number of newspaper articles & research papers highlighted low employ-ability skills and there by low percentage of pass outs getting the job which they were supposed to get. At the same time, industry managers continue to point out non- availability of skilled manpower, hence, there are many vacancies. This contradiction clearly highlights the gap. During my addresses to MBA students in leading b-schools many students asked, what they should do different than their graduation studies to enter in to corporate world and prepare them for successful professional career. I feel that during their two year stay in b-school for MBA/PGDM study, students can change the way they think, behave, act, involve & believe on number of points to get maximum benefits, higher return of their investment of time & money. They should be ready for at least following changes; 1. Understand self, be yourself and find what you love: It is very important for student to perform self-evaluation to understand oneself. Sooner a student is herself, better her experience will be during stay at college. MBA program will have students from different streams like arts, commerce, science, engineering, humanity etc., from
- 2. (A division of KgGuruji Consulting & Services) Note 2 different geographies, & different experience. Since, MBA student jumps in new environment, meet new people, the new educational program offers many exciting opportunities; one may find oneself doing things that don’t interest her. One should grab this opportunity, try & do different things to find out interest areas. There is no need to live someone else's life (It’s already taken by someone). 2. Establish long term career goals: During application process most of MBA aspirants prepare statement of purpose or statement of objective to join MBA program. However, after admission is confirmed, very few students actually revisit & track it during two years. Student's own career aptitude and long term goals with timelines are often not identified. Due to this, students take decision of internship or first job based on short term goals like salary, job profile, place of work etc. These wrong choices ultimately work against students in future. To avoid this situation, statement of purpose or objectives needs to be extended to prepare long term goals & timelines. One should be clear of who one wants to be? Instead of what one wants to be? And why one wants to achieve? At any point of time student come to know about steps taken in the past didn’t yield desired results or would not fit career & personal ambitions, one shouldn't be afraid to blaze own trail. One should follow someone’s trail only, if, one is really lost in a dense forest and has completely lost her way and need to come out of it without any navigation aid. 3. Career experimentation: B-schools offer opportunities to learn new roles, new industry sectors, and new geographies. This is a right chance to use and experiment with skills required in variety of job profiles in different industry sectors. B-school also offers various internal learning clubs, students’ chapters of national organizations, various committees and many other extracurricular activities. Student can volunteer in these activities to engage in similar to real life assignments to find out liking and fit in these roles, if one selects as real life engagements. Take classes outside of comfort zone, attend meetings, meet strangers and push boundaries. Students can also take-up live projects, help local company, organization of relatives &
- 3. (A division of KgGuruji Consulting & Services) Note 3 friends or college to solve business management challenges. It will expose to new ideas and ways of thinking. This also gives opportunity to apply knowledge and enhance skills. Based on various such activity participation, one can make decision about future career path. 4. Learn from mistakes: If a student steps out, take risks during experimentation, it might not always work as planned. This may be perceived as failure. There is no such thing as failure. A mistake is also an experience in which one has moved in different direction or outcome is not in his favor. It's fine to feel bad for a while, count losses but should quickly come out from that mode and find out what's next right move. Every experience teaches students something. 5. Take holistic approach to academics & don't be complacent: Do corporate companies expect students to become expert in everything? What do recruiters is really interested to evaluate in applicant of job? I think no one expects management graduates to be expert in every topic of their curriculum. However, expectation of student's deep understanding of key tools, concepts, components and reasonable employ-ability skills is a fair expectation. Hence, students should take holistic approach to academic activities, attend all classes, complete pre-reading and post class assignments without copy from someone else or outsourcing them, postpone judgments about subjects, topics, faculty members and give equal weight-age to all academic activities & evaluations. No need to be complacent, even if student gets a job during study or has secure place in family business. Don't stop learning at any point of time during two years. 6. Focus: Be committed & keep your focus all the time. Do you remember why did you come to b-school? Why did you select a particular specialization? Why did you join MBA program? Update your statement of purpose, print it and paste it on your study room wall. Revisit it, it's your mission statement the way corporate companies have their mission statement. Align all your activities with statement of purpose. If you have any conflicts about tasks, time, resource allocation, check this mission statement and decide accordingly.
- 4. (A division of KgGuruji Consulting & Services) Note 4 7. Be with smart people, surround yourself with critics: Someone who can give you different perspectives, inputs, data which will help you to analyze objectively and take appropriate decisions. Don't afraid to be with critics or challengers. These are the people who will push you beyond your perceived limit. 8. Focus on health, do activities regularly that can give you energy & happiness: MBA program is very demanding. You would be very busy at b-school. It will be stressful time and can drain you. At times it's easy to neglect your personal wellbeing, health and happiness among- st priorities competing for your time. Set aside a set period for yourself every day. Perform yoga, do workouts, involve yourself in hobbies like cooking, dancing, singing, photography etc. Do what you love & enjoy doing. It will rejuvenate you and boost your energy level. 9. Make most of your student ID card: If you think that student ID card only helps you at campus in administrative formalities, you have underestimated its power. As a MBA student you can actually make most of your status. It gives you opportunity to ask for help from industry experts, business owners, you can get information, obtain data, attend conferences and training programs for free or at concessional rate etc. It opens more doors than when you are in the professional world after your study. Use this freedom to explore new opportunities, meet leaders, faculty members, statutory & regulatory authorities. This will help you to understand broader perspectives, vision and goals. 10. Benchmark you against yourself & maintain motivation level: Most of students start comparing evaluation results and campus placement outcomes with peers. It is unfair to benchmark your success with fellow students. You should benchmark your outcome with where you were when you entered in to MBA program. MBA program attracts diverse educational background, financial background & cultural background students. Learning curve and baselines are unique for each student. Hence, comparison with fellow students will not help at all. You should prepare for your future career, keep setting your goals & benchmarks and keep pushing them. Since,
- 5. (A division of KgGuruji Consulting & Services) Note 5 external factors and environment is not in control, you must keep your focus on your self-motivation. You joined MBA program because you were motivated to bring transformation in your own personality & to achieve holistic all-round development. There is no reason to become demotivated during or after MBA program. These points will help management students to achieve higher return on investment, time, and resources. Remember, people from your family, friends, teachers, peers feel proud about what you have done so far and will support you in whatever you do in future. Don't give any opportunity to breach their trust and let them down. They will help you to maintain perspectives & optimism through challenging time. Congratulations for joining MBA program. Your hard work of many months/years has helped you to reach to this level. It's a great opportunity for you to achieve your professional career goals and transform yourself to become a true leader in future. Ketan Gandhi (23Jun2018) Ketan Gandhi is innovator, consultant, mentor/coach and trainer with 25+ years of industry experience serving clients in 16 countries and teaching higher education programs/ training in six countries. His contact details are as follows;