Why Do Students Choose an MBA?

It is an intriguing question as students often pursue an MBA degree for a higher package or a dream job at a multinational company. One can mostly find MBA students in their final year praying for a better job opportunity or better job satisfaction. The survey conducted by top B-schools suggests that students who apply for an MBA degree are majorly from a BBA background followed by a technical background, Commerce, Arts, and then Science. The beauty of pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is that it does not matter from which educational background you are from; you can apply for any college given that you have good scores in the entrance exams. Entrance exams are conducted at the University Level, sometimes at the All-India Level, and based on the marks, you secure admission into a college. Every year, around two lakh candidates apply for an MBA degree.

The Job Market and the Importance of Specialization

More than a lakh MBA students graduate each year, but the demand for managerial candidates in the Indian market is between 30,000 to 40,000. So, what happens to those candidates who have graduated but are not absorbed in the market? Well, that sounds scary, doesn’t it? The significant reason behind students not getting jobs is that most students pursue a time MBA specialization that does not match their skill set. As a result, they end up learning things that they are not interested in. No living being can do things they are not passionate about with complete motivation and dedication. Students start losing interest, which results in poor academic performance.

MBA Specializations List:

• MBA in Finance 
• MBA in Human Resource Management (MBA in HR)
• MBA in Information Technology (IT) 
• MBA in Logistics Management 
• MBA in Marketing Management 
• MBA in Business Management 
• MBA in Rural Management 
• MBA in Health Care Management 
• MBA in Operations Management 
• MBA in Event Management 
• MBA in Business Analytics  
• MBA in International Business

Here are a few things to keep in mind to know the perfect specialization for yourself. 

1. Know your strength:  

The best way to know your strength is to analyse yourself. At a very young age, people tend to develop skills that have nothing to do with academics. Those skills become the foundation of how well you perceive and implement things in the future.

• Attention to detail:

Attention to detail is essential for any person, there has been a lot of instances where you are taking the same road repeatedly, yet you fail to notice something prominent, and it has been there from the very beginning. On the other hand, remembering the most trivial details just by looking at a thing for the first time is commendable. All these qualities that you overlook for ages come in handy while you are choosing your specialisation. 

• Leadership quality: 

One can never learn leadership quality, it is a quality that someone is born with. Leadership skills play a huge impact while working in a corporate world, where you must lead a team. When you lead a team, your attitude defines you. Your attitude makes a statement for yourself.

• Organizational Skills:

How well do you organise your stuff? There have been a lot of situations where you give up because the workload seems too high. In such a situation, one must know how to handle the pressure and organise the workload. One must know how to prioritise which work should be delivered first. Organise yourself, stay focus, manage your time, strength, and energy. If this your strength, then you are almost ready for the corporate world. 

• Help and connect with people:

If you love assisting people by sharing their workload or enjoy bonding with different individuals by understanding their mindsets, then you have a unique skill. Many call it judging; we call it observing. Observing people helps you understand their approach, enabling you to resolve issues accurately. These skills are essential for an MBA in HR.

2. Which field interests you the most?

As you grow up, you gradually realize that certain sectors attract your interest. Based on this, you must choose which sector aligns with your passion. It is difficult to enjoy something that does not interest you. Some common divisions include Financial Management, Healthcare, Marketing, Technology, Consulting, and Management. 

3. How do you like to work with people? 

Your work preference plays a vital role in your MBA specialization choice. You could be someone who enjoys teamwork, prefers leading a group, or thrives as a lone wolf. Understanding how you function in professional settings will guide you toward the right MBA in International Business or General MBA specialization.

4. What are your expectations from an MBA program?

Before selecting a specialization, take time to determine what you expect from an MBA degree. Are you seeking this qualification to kickstart a dull career? Perhaps your goal is to launch a business or enhance your existing skill set. Some may pursue an MBA to gain experience across multiple subject areas, broadening their expertise for future opportunities. 

How well do you manage stress? 

Working and studying are entirely different experiences. The corporate world comes with high stress levels, as deadlines are strict and non-negotiable. Handling stress efficiently is a crucial skill for success. Losing focus and getting disoriented is common under pressure, so learning to manage workload effectively is vital.

Conclusion

Before deciding on a specialization includes, analyze yourself and list all your strengths and weaknesses. Identify your expectations from the program, note what interests you, and test yourself in pressure situations. You can choose any specialization you want, but every MBA degree will only provide good career growth if you are genuinely interested in it