Which is the right B-school for me?

Updated on: Friday, December 16, 2011

Set a goal: The first challenge for MBA aspirants is to be specific about the goal. What is it that one wants to do with himself and how would a management degree help him achieve his goals? What does he want to learn and what are those skills that he wants to be equipped with at the end of two years of the programme?

Road Ahead: Once the goal is identified, a student needs to identify people and subjects that will lead to his goals. The faculty who would be at the point of delivery, plays a crucial role. Every institute mentions the credentials of its faculty members on its website. Try and find out those who can help better in reaching the identified goals and inspire maximum exposure with their experience and associations. Subjects are usually the same for institutes, but added specialisations like entrepreneurship, retail, media, international business, etc, might make a difference.

Learning Curve: Any institutes approach to pedagogy or the learning methodology is important. This would depend on how flexible the management is in welcoming new learning techniques. Much of this can be judged by talking to former students, understanding the kind of workshops held (check on the website), scope of collaborative learning, exchange programmes and exposure of the college in extra-curricular activities, among others.

Research: Participation and contribution of the faculty in research talks about continuous upgradation in literature and methodologies. The publication or faculty tab in the website would disclose the institute's exposure to research. When there is a constant urge to learn more and the learnings are evaluated and exchanged through presentations or publications at broader levels, the faculty is naturally enriched with extra insights to add value. The same reflects strongly in what students absorb from classes.

Vision: The long-term vision of the director/management needs to match the goals of the student. Only then can students and mentors create a success story together. This can be judged through a one-on-one discussion with the regional head of the institute. Otherwise, during formal tests and interviews when the college tries to judge students, they should too judge them back to understand the creativity they applied in measuring the skills of the candidate.

(The writer is lecturer of UnitedWorld School of Business)

Courtesy: Myeducationtimes.com

Times of India

Which is the right B-school for me?

More Education news