MBA as a Fresher or With Work Experience, Which is the Ideal Deal?

Introduction

One of the most confusing decisions for an MBA aspirant is to decide the correct time to enroll in the course. There would be people guiding you to take a decent work-experience before pursuing an MBA as it would ensure a higher salary package upon completion of the course.There would also be people telling you start your MBA right after your graduation and get done with your academics in one go in order not to break the flow of academic focus.

Why you should consider taking work experience before pursuing an MBA? 

➤ Real-world insights enhance classroom learning- A student with prior work experience finds it easier to re-connect dots between theory and practical experience. Being able to relate theoretical concepts with past work experience makes the concepts crystal clear in the mind of a student.

➤ Higher chances of admission to top B-schools - Some top B-schools in India like IIMs, ISB, XLRI Jamshedpur appreciate it if students register for MBA after work experience and give them a slightly higher preference than those students registering for MBA as a fresher. A work-experience of around 2-3 years is given more weightage while selecting candidates in IIMs. Hence, the chances of getting into a top B-school increase after work experience.

➤ If you are getting really a great job opportunity, take it - Many students of top universities with good grades and skills start receiving great job offers from reputed companies with high salary packages just after graduation. In this case, it might not be the best decision to reject those job offers to go for an MBA as the student might not get the same quality of job offers afterwards due to various reasons considering the dynamic industry and business requirements.  

➤ Gateway to middle-level and senior-level management roles - If you have prior experience in entry-level jobs before getting an MBA degree, then the MBA can act as a gateway for you to get into middle-level or senior-level management roles. Companies mostly require the potential employees to meet at-least two criteria for management level roles, which are to hold an MBA degree and to have prior experience in a relevant field. Hence, getting an MBA after work experience can boost your chances of landing a job that matches perfectly with your goals.  

➤ Higher Salary Package- MBA students having prior work experience are offered  a comparatively higher salary than students completing MBA as a fresher. According to past year records, the salary range offered to fresher MBAs is ₹4-19 lakhs per annum, while candidates having MBA after work experience are offered around ₹7-25 lakhs per annum.

 Why you should consider an MBA just after graduation? 

➤ Kick-start your career with advanced qualifications- Pursuing an MBA just after graduation gives a chance to begin your career with a decent job role that caters to your field of interest along with a good salary. A great landing job creates a strong foundation for your career, based on which your future job roles and salary packages depend.

➤ Don't miss out on the chance of getting into your dream MBA college- If you score excellent marks in your CAT or other MBA entrance exams and clear all rounds of the MBA admission process of your desired b-school, then it is not a good decision to leave this opportunity in the zest to acquire work-experience at that point of time. This is because it is not mandatory that you would be getting similar marks and college the next time you appear for your MBA entrance exams. It is important to consider and acknowledge the best opportunity at hand as long as it fulfills your long-term career goals.

➤ Better understanding of work after completion of MBA- A candidate holding an MBA degree and then entering the corporate work-life has a better understanding of the projects and tasks being assigned and can put into practice the theoretical concepts learned in the degree well. The principles and management techniques learnt during the course can be beneficial to resolve real-life business challenges.

➤ Good option for expanding family business- In case your plan is to takeover and expand your existing family business, then you don't have to worry about not getting placed in a good company. MBA after graduation can help you gain expertise in business domains and manage your family business efficiently by making practical use of the lessons learned during your MBA study sessions and project.

➤ Reputed tag of an MBA- The tag of an MBA signifies that you have the knowledge and caliber to understand business principles, strategic thinking ability, and possess leadership quality. Thus, MBA adds a reputation to your profile, which automatically attracts recruiters to move forward with your CV.  

➤ Continued academic flow- Academic flow gets broken once you get involved in earning money and the habit of study needs to be inculcated all over again if you take an academic gap. Hence, pursuing an MBA right after graduation allows you to continue your academic flow and makes it easier for you to focus and prepare for exams properly.

Conclusion  

Trust the timing and accept the best opportunity at hand !

If you have an excellent job opportunity, go for it, as top colleges like IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta value work experience, which can enhance your application score. However, if you have secured admission to a top business school that aligns with your current goals, it might be wise to take it, as you could end up with a lower-ranked college later.

On the other hand, if you believe you deserve a better college and have the potential to achieve it after a gap, gaining work experience could be a strategic move. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the best available option and its potential impact on your future success.

Maxxcell is here to guide you throughout your MBA journey beginning with the MBA entrance exam preparations and taking crucial decisions in the world of MBA. Join us to enhance your knowledge about MBA and create a great career out of this process.