Capitalising those 2 years - Asst. Prof., Amity University Rajasthan

Capitalising those 2 years………………

MBA is a transformational experience but there are only few who really gain after getting the professional degree. The few who gain have really capitalised those 2 years and not only gained professionally but also personally.

Are we really manifesting ourselves as MBAs ? The modern day contemporary companies search for performance and not merely degrees. They seek desired behaviour from the newly recruits and you will only manifest yourself as MBAs and display desired behaviours when you have really transformed during your MBA. During your 2 year stint at MBA, you will be participating in various activities besides class room teaching which shall make you learn various skills, which shall result into desired behaviours and which in turn shall result into desired performance in the companies. Let me present before you a list of pertinent questions and answering and acting on them shall help you in gaining from your two years’ experience.

Have you envisioned your future after MBA? As to where you desire to reach 5 or 10 years down the line and how will this professional education help you to reach there and what else you need to do to reach that destination. Have you thought of your dream job, and what does your dream job holder do? Have you ever thought before enrolling in an MBA as to what would you be majoring in (HR, Marketing or Finance etc.) and why? What are the skills or competencies of your desired job or career and how you would learn or get yourself trained in those skills during those 2 years? Have you prepared a list of institutions other than your alma mater which can provide you those requisite skills? Have you met people who are in similar jobs/ careers like your desired jobs/careers? Have you met or try to contact the alumnus of the institution? How do you plan to build your network during these years so that the network would make you employable or enhance the chances of getting the job? Have you introspected your strengths and weaknesses and framed a perspective as to how you would be capitalising your strengths during your MBA? Have you thought of the type of competition you would be facing while trying for jobs in campus or otherwise? How would you handle those challenges? Have you identified the activities besides class room teaching your institution is organising and how would you exploit them as a participant, an organiser or as a mere spectator? How good your communication skills are and how you are improving upon them?  What is your meaningful take off from the class room sessions, the expert lectures, and capsule or certificate courses? Are you an active member of your group, team or club? Are you the member of the placement committee in your college, if no, why not? Do you volunteer yourself for various events or activities in your academic institution or shy away from them?

These are only some of the questions which are thought provoking questions and you should devote serious time in answering these questions and more meaningful questions that come to your mind. In the first take, these questions look very idealistic but I am sure if you take the opportunity to meaningfully address these issues, I firmly believe that you would make the best of those two years.

Dr Himanshu Shekhawat

Asst. Prof.

Amity Business School

Amity University Rajasthan