Friday, April 2, 2010

Management as a Career - MBA In the eyes of a fresher

Many students wish to know the benefits of management education. A study conducted on the graduating class of thirty leading US business schools has given some valuable pointers. The study indicated that professional growth profile of graduates was exceptional. The graduates were convinced that going through the portals of the management schools had made them more confident enterprising and innovative. Most of them believed that more than the academic inputs they had gained from the classroom discussions where they learnt how to think differently. Most managers were prepared to contribute to general social upliftment and were positive in their attitudes. In this fast changing world the 'useful information' that any course could convey in quite limited. Management education teaches students to think in terms of management perspectives and for asking management or business questions. The value of MBA is what the students learn and perspectives they acquire, not the degree or diploma from a premier institute. MBA education has assumed great value also because of applicability of management skills to a variety of sectors. From the old and established hospitality, travel, International business sectors to the new and evolving telecom management, advertising/communication sector as well as rural/forest management and latest being the health sector. The message is clear. Get a basic first degree in the sector of your choice. If you intend to make rapid progress to reach management/decision making positions in any sector the management qualification, general or specific, e.g., simply an MBA or Master in Finance/InternationalTrade/Forest/Rural/Cooperative/Pharma/Technology/Management, etc. will add value for professional growth and satisfaction with jobs in that area.

What the course is about General Management - For a broad business background the general management specialization offered by most universities is the most suitable choice. The main objective of the general management course is that it focuses on developing leadership skills for being able to lead in an organization, irrespective of the organization's purpose. The courses seek to increase critical thinking and persuasion skills and cover courses in accounting, marketing and finance.

Social and Political Environment of Business, Management and Career Development, Organizational Behavior and Leadership, Leading Change in a Quality Organization, Human Resources Management, Power and influence, Management and Leadership, Competitive Strategy, International Management, Behavior Skills.

Prospects with General Management: Smaller companies prefer the general MBA candidates because they have a broad skill background and are better team work and communication skills. Larger companies prefer the specialist MBA's because it gives them depth in a specific area such as finance or marketing. Students whose goal is to work in an institution to oversee the entire operations need a general management degree. Some institutions are well known for imparting a valuable blend of subject and skill specific courses.

Operational areas for managers in any enterprise are marketing, sales, personnel, finance, accounting, Production, materials, exports, and market research. There are post graduate management courses in these areas offered by private institutions as well as Universities. Several sectors conduct specialized management courses - some examples are Travel, Hotels, Hospitals, Fire Departments, Rural sector etc.

Having an MBA puts one in the driver's seat with prospective employers. They know that an MBA degree has sufficiently equipped you with sound knowledge of management principles and practices. They know that a MBA degree has honed and perfected your skills to a sufficient level. MBA gives a kick start that helps scale multiple levels in one's career. Traditionally, MBA's are meant be one of most exclusive group of highly selected students who have survived a rigorous academic program, with a strong emphasis on quantitative and analytical skills. While one might have little or no organizational experience, MBA's are confident to handle the problems, and correspondingly a higher perk. The benefits of an MBA are almost as varied as the programs available and the students studying them. With some 100,000 graduating per year with an MBA from one of approximately 1,000 or 550 European schools, this represents variety indeed. It is therefore not surprising that all these benefits is not fully appreciated, or that outdated ideas of benefits persist. MBA when properly aligned with relevant work experience can help one achieve the necessary impetus and momentum in their career. Even if MBA major is in a field different than work experience, it will help one achieve their goals because an MBA guarantees a certain level of proficiency and achievement. It assures that one has the basic level of understanding and expertise in sustaining and growing in the quality conscious world of today.

An MBA curriculum exposes one to qualitative and quantitative methodologies. These skills are very essential in today's dynamic and ever changing world. An MBA helps you hone your basic quantitative, organizational management and problem solving skills. An internship will add value to your profile and may even help you get a job offer at the same place post MBA. An MBA will give the soft skills and understanding. It helps horning team work skills, to gain and understand of why people in organizations behave as they do, and to become more aware of the problems stress can cause. One will be much better suited to understand and respond effectively to the uncertainty and complexity that is a feature of organizational life in times of rapid change. One may well have developed your own creativity. Above all, the individual will be able to stand back from situations and 'make sense of them' in a range of different ways, reflecting different perspectives. Other benefits of an MBA degree include the following:

· Improved communication skills
· Improved conflict resolution skills

Thus an MBA degree will add significant value to your career at any stage and it significantly accounts for any financial or personal costs that you may incur in achieving it.Getting an MBA means hard work and hard work and sincere devotion should definitely get you where you want to be.

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