The topmost question on the mind of a new recruit is “Why do recruiters look for MBA graduates?” The MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree opens up a lot of opportunities and boosts the chances of one getting a better paying job. There are many reasons for this and we will try to answer them in this article.
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Advantages of doing an MBA
A few years ago, industries and organizations of all shapes and sizes articulated the need for people who are properly trained in administration and management. Thus, many academic institutions in collaboration with industry came up with designing a curriculum that would exactly fulfill these requirements and started offering an MBA program.
The course lasts for typically two years with variations. The aim of the degree is not to just impart business knowledge or financial skills but also inculcate a way of thinking. Critical thinking is woven into the MBA curriculum. This enables students to evaluate business dilemmas and formulate the best plan of action. The course also tries to train the students in professional problem solving.
What is a typical MBA curriculum?
During the first year, students are made familiar with the basic concepts of business, management, marketing, strategy and finance. Students are expected to have some understanding of accounts and statistics. They are also taught analytical skills and business ethics.
Also Read: How To Become A Business Analyst
The second year focuses on elective courses that students opt for based on what they want to specialize in. These specializations could be entrepreneurship, international business, finance, operations, IT, marketing or even FMCG. Therefore, the MBA program bestows the student with a full set of professional skills that are required to succeed in business.
Whatever is taught in class is taught again through case studies. Case studies are designed to invoke qualitative and quantitative skills required for an MBA graduate. Understanding these case studies, allows MBA graduates to look at problems differently from regular graduates. Case studies enable MBA graduates to look beyond the norms that exist in the current ecosystem.
MBAs graduates are exposed to a deep understanding of the business ecosystem. This builds a capacity to indulge in strategic thinking and leads to a broader mindset which is very useful since they are able to maneuver projects better. Apart from technical and qualitative skills, MBA graduates are also taught managerial, analytical and organizational skills.
MBA graduates are taught to work as a team and they therefore also have a better grasp on teamwork and are able to manage differences in opinions and workstyle. They also learn good communication, interpersonal skills and networking.
With so many advantages under their belt, MBA graduates bring in huge value addition to their employers.
What do recruiters look for in MBA graduates?
MBA graduates fulfill certain criteria that regular graduates fail to fulfill. For instance, recruiters look for employability skills or soft skills in a potential recruit. They look for reliability through previous workplace experience and also academic performance. Basic degrees do not focus on personal development. Basic degrees only focus on imparting theoretical knowledge to students without any stress on practical knowledge. These courses do not offer any opportunity to network with peers.
MBA graduates on the other hand fulfill many criteria that recruiters are looking for. The MBA program is very rigorous. To complete it, one will need mental fortitude, discipline and commitment. MBA programs also automatically involve an internship at the end of the year where practical knowledge is gained. Apart from that, students are encouraged to work on management consultancy projects for real clients in teams. All this gives MBA graduates an edge over regular graduates.
The teaching methodology in an MBA program is also very interesting. A variety of strategies such as case studies, individual and group projects and field immersion help students gain a variety of skills that make them highly employable and hence sought-after by recruiters.
Career acceleration
MBA graduates not only have the technical skills required for business management, they also have analytical skills, leadership skills, soft skills, strategic thinking skills, networking and interpersonal skills. All these help individuals to scale the corporate ladder easily and offer them opportunities that others may not be able to dream of. Not just as working professionals, but an MBA degree can make you fully equipped to run your own enterprise and establish your own business.
Conclusion
Having a MBA degree is a huge accomplishment but at the end of the day, you still have to compete for jobs. An individual’s capability, their confidence and leadership abilities also do impact their ability to get a job apart from just the MBA degree. But with so many advantages under their belt, an MBA graduate clearly wins hands down when compared to a regular graduate and therefore they are highly preferred by recruiters.
