Target MBA after Class 12

By Shanjoy Mairembam *

The two years of 11th and 12th standard classes are critical for every student who wishes to create a successful career ahead in the life ahead.

The students should focus not only to understand the complete syllabus of 11th & 12th standards thoroughly to get good score in 12th standard examination, but also the tips and techniques of preparing various entrance examinations in the post-12th standard.

The reasons for a decent score in the 12th exam are –
1) As huge numbers of students compete to get into various companies in the post professional/academic degrees, companies use the cut-off marks of 10th & 12th standard to shortlist candidates for preliminary rounds of elimination.
2) Better understanding of chapters in the 11th & 12th standard holds the key to further degree courses for making a career ahead [it may be even in the entrepreneurial domain].

Study of Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) & Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (M.B.B.S.) are the most sought career of students in the post-12th standard in Manipur (as well as in most parts of India). The students have to compete among the best to get through various state level & national entrance tests to secure admission to reputed colleges.

Preparation for such professional entrance tests not only requires sufficient study notes [including text books & mock question banks], but also examination techniques and preparation tips. Students from cities who come of well-to-do families and students of private English school are trained in a better position for such tests.

But, most of the students who can’t provide the necessary study notes or guides fail to clear such tests. In addition, the financial constraints compel most students from rural/less privileged areas to forgo the dreams of being an Engineer or Doctor in lifetime.

Question – Is there any other suggested course in the post 12th standard which will enable a student to be able to earn hefty as well as decent job designations in future, similar to that of B.E. & MBBS degrees?

There do exist a number of academic courses in the post 12th standard which will enable students a bright future. But, one of the most attractive & rewarding course among them is Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Actually MBA is to be studied after 10+2+3 standard, i.e. after college degrees. In European countries & America, students have the advantage of starting well-paid careers in reputed companies under various business domains after undergoing under-graduate management courses [i.e. some bachelor courses in management stream] due to the presence of strong entrepreneurial form of economy and huge number of business companies.

In the recent years, India is also witnessing a boom in some of the industrial sectors like IT, Biotech, etc. Various universities have thus started introducing various management courses in under-graduate courses and post-graduate level to supply the shortage of human resources for the growing economy.

In spite of the presence of various management courses, the brand MBA still holds the due respect & trust by companies worldwide. So, students should give preference to the branded degree “MBA”. The course structure of MBA has also been modeled just for corporate jobs while those of other management courses are modeled more of academic values.

Bachelor degrees of management are not considered as a real degree by corporate world and hence, students should complete MBA again further. The exception to the branded MBA degree is the post-graduate programs in management awarded by Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs) & few top business schools in India.

Students who have not been able to study B.E or MBBS should never waste precious years trying again & again for the entrance tests in the following years, instead they should proceed ahead with a bachelor degree for 3-years. The choice of bachelor degree can be either one which the student feels comfortable with.

It’s still suggested to study courses having – Mathematics, Economics, Commerce, Accounting, etc, but not mandatory, because, students should just only concentrate on clearing the 3yr degree courses with good scores. In those 3yrs time frame, the student should prepare self to be future MBA aspirant of high demand & value.

The activities the student should also be concentrating during the 3yr bachelor degree are –
1) Participation and conduction of various co-curricular & extra-curriculum activities like – Music competition, dance competition, quiz competition, Inter-college competitions, adventure tour, college festivals, etc
2) Improving basic computer skills by joining some courses or by self learning – Microsoft Word / PowerPoint / Excel, use of Internet surfing & habit of reading newspapers/e-books online, typing comfortably on keyboards, etc.
3) Improving English Speaking & Behavioral ethics of corporate world via interaction with various groups of people – working professionals, college staffs, friends, etc.
4) Making self aware of what is all about MBA, the various entrance tests, various colleges, careers in the post-MBA, exam preparation notes, etc.

Loosing 1 or more years preparing for entrance tests in the following years just for the sake of the ambition to study B.E. or MBBS in future is nothing but a sign of stupidity.

The reasoning –
Let’s consider the average age of the student after 10+2 standard = 17yrs

1) Career path of a student undergoing B.E:
Course length of B.E is 4 yrs and hence, age after B.E. course completion = 21yrs [i.e. 17+4]
Chance of getting the first decent job in life after completion of B.E = YES
[It depends on the placement facilities of the particular Engineering College or the off-campus job search by the students]
Average Range of starting monthly salary by 22yrs = INR 15,000 – INR 25,000
[The exact salary depends on the particular company, though some may give even INR 50,000 on the higher end]
Further increment in salaries = 10-30% on the earlier gross salary every following year
Likely age of an engineering student to have Financial stability in life and permissible level of career achievement = 25-27 yrs

In short, the career of an Engineer is for those who are fascinated by technology & reasonable return of money.

2) Career path of a student undergoing MBBS:
Course length of MBBS is 5 & ½ yrs and hence, age after course completion = 22½yrs [i.e. 17+ 51/2]
Chance of getting the first decent job in life after completion of B.E = NEGLIGIBLE
Required number of years for further studies to be able to get a first decent job in life = 29 yrs
[i.e. study of M.D/M.S. etc will take another 3-5 yrs depending on further specialization taken by student]
Average Range of starting salary by 28yrs = Not comparable to the salaries of Engineers
[The exact salary depends on the skill set acquired by the student as well as the chance to study in one of the reputed Post-graduate colleges in India or aboard. Moreover, the competition for getting the limited seats of postgraduate studies in the post-MBBS is extremely tough.]
Further increment in salaries = !!! [Poor growth pattern in career]
Likely age of a doctor student having Financial stability in life and permissible level of career achievement = 33-36 yrs

In short, the career of Doctor is for those who are just passionate to be a “Doctor”, it’s not a career for earning money.

3) Career path of a student undergoing MBA: Course length of a Bachelor degree after 12th standard which is required before undergoing MBA = 3yrs
Course length of a MBA = 12 months to 24 months [depending on the institute; some institutes provide 1yr MBA, some institutes provide 16 or 18 months MBA i.e. 1½yr MBA, some institutes provide 2 yr MBA]
Age after the completion of MBA = 20 yrs [i.e. 17 + 3]
Chance of getting the first decent job in life after completion of MBA = YES
[It depends on the placement facilities of the particular MBA College or the off-campus job search by the students]
Average Range of starting monthly salary by 21yrs = INR 25,000 – INR 45,000
[The exact salary depends on the particular company, though some may even offer INR 70,000]
Further increment in salaries = 10-30% on the earlier gross salary per the following year
Likely age of a MBA student having Financial stability in life and permissible level of career achievement = 23-25 yrs

In short, the career of a MBA student is for those who wish to earn, and become a business leader or an entrepreneur in future.

In addition, various banks provides educational loans for studying MBAs if the student is able to get into some of reputed MBA colleges; because, the banks are sure that the student is 99% likely to get a high paid job afterwards and hence he/she will be able to repay the loan with interests.

Again, life is not just about career, but it’s also about PERSONAL LIFE / FAMILY LIFE. So, earlier the stability in career & financial status in life, better is the security of life and early retirement too. Moreover, the beauty of youth is in the age range of 18-30 and one has to ask self – Is it worth to spend all these beautiful years in just studies and no fun at all?

Thus, we can realize now that the career prospect of a MBA student can be exciting & challenging. It also suggests that there are still various lucrative careers other than B.E. or MBBS degree. Students should surf internet and also interact with elders to get such information.

So, CREATE your own FUTURE.