The Writers' Circle

This is perhaps one of the million dollar questions which plague all higher studies aspirants. The coolest part about this question is that there is no fixed answer. It is highly subjective. Even i had to dig a lot inorder to come up with a phoney answer. I was lucky that my interviewer bought my story and inducted me into IIM Lucknow.

First let us understand what an MBA degree gives to a person. Then we will look into the "why MBA" part.

Before my write up, let me clarify that is highly subjective and am writing based on my experience in IIM Lucknow. It might differ for people of other colleges.

From day 1, MBA makes you aware that there are 24 hours available to you and there is work of 26 hours to do. Hence time management becomes one of the most crucial aspects to complete MBA. If the environment is as competitive as in an IIM, then you are bound to get stressed up. So stress management comes second. Believe me, these are the 2 aspects which are taught to us day in and day out. With less time in hands than the work left, prioritization comes closely next in line. It is almost impossible to spend a day without doing prioritization or else you will have a forgettable day. So personally speaking, MBA will make you very organized and tough.

If we are to consider the academic portion, MBA contributes a lot too. The case studies and the different courses definitely give a holistic perspective about any issue. Whether its accounting or promotional strategy or consumer behavior or corporate valuation, MBA teaches you all. Post-MBA, each and every course one has taken during the 2 years time will come handy irrespective of the profile he is taking up. Marketing people require finance knowledge highly to plan big activities and the impact of each of those activities on the balance sheet of the company. Similary, the finance people cannot ignore the marketing aspect, given that customers drive every business. So the innumerable case studies and the various courses cannot be a part of history once you are out in the market. If we dig down deeper then MBA gives you the freedom to consider multiple options to go about a specific task. e.g. for promotional strategy, there are so many options that a MBA guy can think of while a non-MBA guy will fall flat in considering so many options.

Biggest and by far the most crucial aspect of MBA education is network. The bunch of ambitious people, once out in the market, will keep the network strong, which again drives everybody to succeed. The higher one goes up in the corporate ladder, the stronger his network is expected to be. MBA degree or more specifically his MBA colleagues make that possible.

By now, you would have figured out why MBA is required. But I still want to list my choice:
1. It will give me more perspective to analyze a business situation and help me take a better decision for the benefit of my organization or business
2. It will help me organize myself with the learning of time and stress management
3. It will hone my communication and networking skills
4. It will help me reach the top management position sooner
5. Stay at an IIM will definitely give me an opportunity to test myself in a competitive environment