The job market globally has seen some very tough times in the recent past. Though India barely scraped through the economic landslide that left people in the west jobless, the tremors were felt here too. As such, students and working professionals in India are very wary when it comes to their jobs. But in order to succeed professionally, it is imperative that one keeps upgrading themselves on the trends and market concepts from time to time. Management seems to be one of the forerunners in terms of choice of education. And why not, after all, it makes you even more coveted in the job market!
The choice between taking up a full time job and going for an MBA degree continues to perplex students. There are institutes that demand a work experience of two - three years, which makes students throw themselves into the corporate world.
For most students, the corporate world proves to be a quagmire where they just get stuck. A job bestows a sense of responsibility and independence and letting go of either is a tough task. As a result, it becomes difficult for students to give up their jobs and pursue further studies. It is this realization that MBA via Distance Learning is gaining popularity amongst the Indian audience.
MBA via Distance Learning helps students who wish to continue with their jobs and gain expertise at their work through an MBA degree. The concept of distance learning has been mushrooming in the foreign countries for almost a decade now. Employees experience a jump in the pay package once they have the MBA tag attached to them. As such, more and more working professionals in India are exploring the option of MBA via distance learning.
Distance Learning in MBA, a relatively new trend in India is an incredible option for working professionals. While a large section of the society is clouded by the stereotypical drawbacks of such courses, there are students and professionals who are now cashing up on the benefits of the course.
The CEO’s of companies are also catching up on these options. ‘We need to know the techniques and trends of the modern society. This is the age where even the potential investors would want to have a look at your degree before pumping in some money for your business idea’, Says Rajiv Sawhney, the CEO and MD of Matrix, a marketing promotions company.
Who should opt for an MBA via Distance Learning?
These courses are for individuals who find it hard to quit their job to upgrade their educational qualifications. Top management professionals form the most common segment of candidates to enrol in such programmes. These courses are usually spread over 6 months to a year, and are easy to cope up with while continuing with a job.
Such programmes require one to three visits per year to the university which can easily fit into your calendar. In most of the cases the universities have weekend batches. Assignments need to be submitted, the deadlines of which can be met comfortably.
Students who wish to have a double degree are also enrolling themselves into the distance programmes these days. While pursuing majors in a subject they enrol themselves for an MBA programme via Distance learning.
Does MBA via Distance Learning hold equal importance as a full time MBA programme?
Candidates who can afford the programme and can enrol themselves for a full time two year MBA programme must go ahead with it. The choice is simple, full time MBA wins the race yards ahead of distance MBA. The latter is the preference for individuals who either can’t afford the programme or are not in the state of devoting two full years to further education. A full time MBA programme is a full- fledged two year degree which makes the students go through a packed schedule of classes whereas Distance MBA gives the privilege of either weekend classes or online lectures at their disposal.
Management candidates who are enrolling for a distance learning programme must remember that the university makes a huge difference. The admission procedure for a distance learning programme is much easier in comparison to the full time courses of the same university. Hence, it is very important to get yourself registered with the top most universities. The name of university and the curriculum of the course do make a difference in the industry.
Cost of MBA in Distance Learning
The fee of a distance learning programme for an MBA is much less in comparison to a full time course. This is also a predominant factor for candidates to enrol themselves for a distance learning programme.
Though the course fee varies from university to university but the price bracket starts from INR 20,000 to INR 70,000, as opposed to shelling out 5 – 15 Lakhs on a regular MBA course.
The industry’s outlook on MBA via Distance Learning
Your degree might be the gate pass for your journey but it is your expertise that proves to be the flight to the destination. The industry is changing at a rapid pace, in order to sustain yourselves, you must be updated with all the new tools and techniques available in the market. Distance Learning is usually a preference for people who wish to enhance their skills to keep themselves in line with the changes that the industry is witnessing.
If you have the relevant experience coupled with a distance learning MBA degree, things might work out for you. The industry is changing and the focus is now shifting on the forte of a person, so if you have captured all that the course has promised, then the distance learning can work wonders for you.
MBA via Distance Learning- The Current Scenario
Esteemed management universities of India like the IIM-Ahmedabad, IIM- Calcutta, IIM- Lucknow, IIM- Indore, IIM- Kozhikode, XLRI, IMT, NMIMS, ICFAI University amongst the many have started offering courses through distance learning.
Professionals are now changing their focus from a full time MBA programme to gaining industry experience and clubbing it with a distance learning programme. This helps them grab a better package and a good position at the management level.
MBA, whether a full time course or through distance learning adds lustre to your career. It is the circumstances and your aim that should form the basis of your pick. Though a full time course in any field would be a better option, but if due to any circumstance, your preference is a distance learning programme, then you must go for it. Your decision should be based on factors like college ranking and the scope of the programme you wish to pursue. The market is changing and it would only be advisable for you to go with the times.
Written By: Kritika Sharma