“FINAL year, huh? What are your plans after graduation?” Every student gets bombarded with this question by family, friends, teachers and most of all by oneself. Most students, during their final year of graduation, ride the horns of dilemma on whether to pursue higher education or take up a job after graduation. Unfortunately, under such circumstances, peer influence and parental pressure often drive the student’s decision.
After his BE, Sumit Kumar immediately joined an MBA (finance) program from a fairly reputed institute as his classmates convinced him that finance is the most ‘happening’ career’. “Then I had no idea what an MBA (finance) was, nor was I aware of its job prospects. Only somewhere midway through the program, I realized that it was not my cup of tea,” claims Sumit. Post-MBA, he works as a financial analyst in a multinational bank in Mumbai. “I should have worked for a few years before I took up an MBA. It would have given me an insight into the real world and I could have made a more informed decision. I always had an inclination towards the media industry and a course in media management or mass communication would have been a better choice. I am now thinking of shifting careers.”
Sumit is not an isolated case. There are many who pursue their masters either in the same field or a totally different one from their bachelors, only to realize that they made a mistake. However, not everybody pursues higher studies immediately upon graduation. Some like Priya Desai adopt a different strategy. “I worked for two years to get industry exposure and then quit to upgrade my skills and hike up the corporate ladder. On the job, I learned through observation and interaction with others but a formal education was necessary to expedite the learning process. Money saved from my job helped pay for my post-graduation,” she smiles. Not everybody is as fortunate as Priya to go back to college. Priya’s classmate Neeraj too took up a job after graduation and wants to go back for his master’s degree. However, he says, “I have been so busy at work that I don’t find time to study for the entrance exams and work on my applications. Quitting my job at this point would adversely impact my financial situation as well. I should have finished my further studies immediately after graduation. Now I think I am too old for college. I am currently evaluating the option of a part time or correspondence course.”
Higher education, at any point in life, definitely adds to ones perspective and enhances career prospects. Although the percentage of students who pursue their master’s degree is increasing every year, the culture still prevalent in India is to finish one’s education before starting a career. Due to this, the Indian education system is designed for a comparatively younger audience. Most students in college, even those at the master’s level, are in their early twenties. Hence most applicants with experience prefer to go abroad for their further studies.
But how does the industry view students with and without experience? “Individuals who go for advanced degrees immediately after the completion of their bachelor’s program, although more competent in some advanced techniques and analysis, are not noticeably superior to those employees who have basic degrees and a couple of years of work experience. Those who went on to obtain advanced degrees after some work experience seemed to be able to integrate the requirements of work much better,” opines a senior manager who has hired professionals of all levels for several years.
Does this mean that one should gain work experience before pursuing their postgraduation? Well not always. Those who plan to pursue higher education in the same field as their bachelor’s degree should try to do so immediately as they are still in touch with the subject. On the other hand, if one plans to change their field of study, factors like financial ability, aptitude, attitude, short term and long term career goals should be taken into consideration. Talking to experienced faculty and industry experts can also help. Colleges should appoint career counselors to advice students in this regard. Students must think before they take the next step. The choice one makes at the graduate level plays a major role in shaping one’s career.
Keep in mind that going back to school is always an option that can be explored even after working for a few years.
In 2005 Jay Rege, along with his wife Jothsna Rege, co-founded Academy One, a career guidance and study abroad counseling venture. Prior to co-founding Academy One, he worked as a software developer with HCL Technologies. He holds a computer engineering degree from Mumbai University and a MBA from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, USA. He has also been a visiting faculty at a few colleges where he teaches topics related to entrepreneurship.