This document provides an overview of getting an MBA degree. It discusses MBA trends over time, typical career paths and salaries of MBA graduates, reasons to pursue and not pursue an MBA, student profiles, skills gained, and factors to consider like program types, curriculum, teaching methods, timing, school selection, admissions, and financial aid. The document aims to help readers decide if an MBA is right for them and provide guidance on navigating an MBA program.

1. 1
SHOULD I GET AN MBA?

2. Is it
worth
it? What will I
learn?
When
should I
start?
Will I be
accepted
in a
program?
Which
type of
program?
What schools
are right for
me?
How do I
begin?
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3. MBA Trends
• 1965 - <10,000 MBAs awarded
• 1977 - 48,000 MBAs awarded
• 1998 – 94,000 MBAs awarded
• 2004 – 110,000 MBA’s awarded
• Two-thirds of these degrees awarded to part-time
or distance students
• 20% of graduates plan to go into business for
themselves
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4. Where do MBAs Work?
• Manufacturing
• Service Industries
• Government
4

5. What do MBAs do?
• Accounting
• Corporate finance
• Information systems
• Financial institutions • Marketing
• Consulting
• Personnel
• General management
5

6. Starting Salaries
$70k - $90k+
Signing Bonuses
6

7. Why Get an MBA?
• To open new career opportunities
• Personal development – intellectual stimulation,
self-confidence
• Shift from individual contribution to managing
others
• To further your career – stay competitive
• To increase salary
• Potential to network
• Company advice or requirement
7

8. Why NOT to Pursue an MBA!
• Looking for a “silver bullet” for success
• Something to do while looking for a job
• Unhappy in current job without knowing why
8

9. Typical MBA Student Profile
• Mid twenties to early thirties
• Good academic background with solid work
experience
• Ambitious and determined
• Strong idea of career direction
9

10. What You Get with an MBA
• “Boot camp” training for management
• A focus on all specialist areas of management
• Combination of technical and “soft” skills
• In-depth focus of a particular discipline, if
desired
• Credentials
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11. Choosing a Program
• Curriculum
• Teaching methods
• Delivery methods
• Schools
11

12. Curriculum
• Traditional
– Begin with functional core courses – finance, marketing,
accounting, macro and micro economics, operations, IT,
human resources, quantitative analysis
– General management themes – legal, social, ethical and
technological issues; change management; organizational
theory and behavior; strategic management
– Advanced courses or electives in a core area leading to
major concentration
• Variations
– Incorporate “softer” skills – leadership, negotiation,
teamwork
– Internationalize their focus
12

13. Teaching Methods
• Theory method – lecture/discussion
• Case method
• Team projects and presentations
• Computer simulation
• In-company projects
13

14. Delivery Methods
• Full time
• Part time
• Executive
• Distance learning
• Flexible MBA
14

15. Full-Time Programs
• Typically two years
• Some work experience required (typical age – 27)
• Advantages:
– High interaction with other students and professors
– Ability to take numerous elective courses
– Appropriate for career changers
• Disadvantages:
– Long time away from work
– Expensive
15

16. Full Time Degree Cost Analysis
+
-
+
Tuition, supplies, books, living
accommodations
Financial aid, part-time employment
Loss of salary during school
Total Cost:
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17. Part-Time Programs
• Typically four years (night classes)
• Students tend to be older with more work experience (typical age
– 33)
• Advantages:
– Continue to work while attending school
– Employers more likely to provide tuition reimbursement
– Utilize what you learn on the job as you learn it
– Ongoing work experience may enhance your performance in the program
• Disadvantages:
– Time is limited which places strain on job, studies and family
– Company may not like subordinating work effort
– Promotions and/or raises may not be automatic
– Degree may not be viewed as prestigious as full-time degree
17

18. Executive MBAs
• Weekly one-day classes or biweekly weekend classes
• Typically two years
• Students tend to have seven or more years of work experience
and already in a management role
• Advantages:
– Company-sponsored
– Continue to work while attending school
– Apply learning immediately
– Classmates provide excellent networking source
– Programs are lucrative so schools provide perks and top faculty
• Disadvantages:
– Limited choice of courses/majors
– Time is limited which places strain on job, studies and family
– Limited exposure to classmates
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19. Distance Learning MBAs
• Most coursework taught and completed online
• Typically three to five years depending upon student intensity
• Advantages:
– Enhance cyber skills
– Freedom to work at own pace
– Less expensive than other programs
– Location is not an issue
• Disadvantages:
– High drop out rate – hard for some to stay motivated
– Few companies will sponsor this degree
– Limited physical interaction with other students and faculty
– Few fully accredited programs
19

20. Flexible MBAs
• Derivative of Distance Learning MBA
• Combines classroom with online courses
• Advantages:
– Many of same advantages as Distance Learning
– Many fully accredited programs are some online courses
– Can meet with classmates and faculty
– Can accelerate the degree
• Disadvantages:
– Cost and time of attending class at the school
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21. Timing
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22. Selecting a School
• Self analysis – reasons, personal strengths and weaknesses
• Accreditation – American Association of Collegiate Schools of
Business (AACSB)
• Suggested criteria
– Reputation
– Size
– Location
– Tuition
– School’s mission
– Specialization
– Teaching methods and environment
– Placement services
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23. Selecting a School (cont.)
• Research Schools to find a fit
– Publications – MBA Casebook, The MBA Career Guide, The MBA
Advantage, Which MBA?
– Business Publications – Business Week, U.S. News & World Report
– Get information from schools
– Personal visits and MBA forums
• Rankings
– Many different ranking methodologies
– Should influence decision, not be sole factor
– School rankings do impact recruiting companies
23

24. Admission
• Self-managed application with essays
• Academic record (transcripts)
• GMAT score
• Management skills – work experience
• Letters of recommendation (specific)
• Extra-curricular activities and community
involvement for leadership
• Personal interview (possibly)
24

25. Financial Aid
• Merit scholarships
• Part-time employment – graduate assistants
• Loans
25

26. The Top 10 Reasons to Get an
MBA

27. Branches in MBA
• MBA In Finance
• MBA in Entrepreneurship
• MBA in Supply Chain Management.
• MBA in Hospitality and Tourism
• MBA in Telecommunications
• MBA in International Business
• MBA in Human Resources
• MBA in Accounting
• MBA in Aviation
• MBA in Banking
• MBA in Project Management
• MBA in Marketing
• MBA in Information Systems / IT
• MBA in Accounting
• MBA in Health Care / Administration
• MBA in Communication
• MBA in Media
• MBA in Operations Management
• MBA in Logistics
• MBA in Retail Management , ETC….

28. Selection process for MBA
• To get into a management institute, one has to go through a selection
process which includes the following :
1. Written Test
2. Group Discussion
3. Personal Interview
4. Essay Writing
5. Psychometric Test
6. Group Task
7. Management Games

29. Written Exam Tests
(MAT, XAT, CAT, ATMA)
• The written exam tests the aptitude of the candidate in a number of areas.
It usually consists of questions related to :
1. Quantitative Ability
(Mathematics mostly from 8-9-10 standard, Geometry, Menstruation,
Algebra, Trigonometry and Co-ordinate Geometry)
2. Verbal Section -
(Grammar, Sentence Correction, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension &
Verbal Analogies)
3. Data Interpretation
(Analysis of Data. Usually data is in form of tables, charts, graphs.)
4. Logical Reasoning/Ability
(using Common Logic)
5. General Awareness.
(current/past issues (national & global), economics, general knowledge
etc.

30. Facing the GD

31. MBA Admissions- Common
Interview Questions
 Tell me about yourself.
 Why MBA ?
 What makes you stand out among other candidates?
 What can you contribute to our program ?
 What are your expectations of this program ?
 What are your main strengths and weaknesses?
 Where do you expect to be in 5 years?
 What do you expect to get from an MBA? ETC…

32. Jobs After MBA in Marketing
 Manager
 Marketing Manager
 Event Manager
 Sales Officer
 Sale Manager
 Marketing Executive
 Marketing officer
 Public Relation Officer
 Advertising Executive
 Product Development Officer
 Relationship Manager
 Networking officer , etc…..

33. Jobs After MBA in Finance
 Invest Manager
 Fund Manager
 Junior Dealer
 Junior Manager
 Stock Analysts
 Junior Stock Analysts
 Investment Officer
 Branch Manager, etc…

34. Jobs After MBA in Human Resource
 Manager
 H.R. Manager
 H.R. Executive
 H.R. officer
 Public Relation Officer
 Front desk officer, etc…..

35. Jobs After MBA in System
 Project leaders in IT companies
 Business process consultants
 Techno Managers in marketing firms
 Business Analyst
 Junior Programmer
 ERP consultant, etc…..

36. Jobs After MBA in Operations
• Operation Manager
• Sales Operational Officer
• Operation Executive
• Section Manager
• Supply Chain Management
• Inventory
• Material Management
• Logistic and Productivity
• Total Quality Management, etc….

37. Few Tips to Crack Entrance
I. Think positive, how much you have learnt in a year, that’s enough.
II. Reach at least half an hour before the commencement of
the examination.
III. Read thoroughly all the instructions supplied in the exam paper.
IV. Avoid guessing, there is negative marking. Guessing is
definitely a RISK
V. Attempt your favourite section first, followed by the toughest one
next. Then attempt the other two sections.

38. SHOULD I GET AN MBA?
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