CAREER OPTIONS & PLANNING AFTER AN "MBA/PGDM" IN INDIA

CAREER OPTIONS  & PLANNING AFTER AN MBA IN INDIA

 

ABSTRACT

As we all know that Job hunting and deciding one’s career also requires a type of skills. As we know there are numbers of career options available for MBA / PGDM across India but do they really know how to approach and where to approach? The other side of the coin is do they really know how to search jobs, which website is free of cost for them, which website is more beneficial for them, how to apply, how to follow up etc. As per my study only 10% students exactly know the exact process of searching jobs and at the same time how to apply and where to apply. Even they do not know what they have studied and where they are applying; total mismatching. It happens because of lack of knowledge and information, lack of expertise, alternatives available in multiples and so on. This article will lay emphasis on “Other” category B-School who is not able to arrange or place their students through “Campus Placement”. My entire information is based on SMART technique (S – Specific, M – Measurable, A – Achievable, R – Realistic, T – Time Bound).

INTRODUCTION

Whenever I asked students about ‘Goal Setting’ their answers are completely vague or in other words we can say very clearly that they do not know firstly what goal setting is and how to set goals on the basis of short-term, medium-term and long-term. First of all they must understand why they have chosen MBA/PGDM; what about other options available to them or choosing MBA/PGDM is by choice or by chance. If it is by chance then life is really very hard because if you do not have ‘interest’ you are almost lost.

It’s my humble request now to you all is prepared to work hard smartly. There is no short cut for any ‘successes. Always a “BIHARI”. This word has got very powerful meaning:

B         - Brilliant

I           - Intelligent

H         - Hard Working

A         - All Rounder

R         - Responsible

I           - Indian

If this word sounds positive to you; just stick to your aim and ambition keeping in mind the following above mention words.

BASIC FACTS    

I have divided jobs availability into three parts:

 

A. Government Jobs (Entrance Exam is ‘Mandatory’)

It is a very wrong notion that MBA/PGDM students are not supposed to apply for or eligible for government jobs. As a matter of fact, MBA/PGDM thinks government jobs are ‘inferior’ in comparison to private jobs. If this is so then you might had applied for government jobs in your graduation; the truth is that 80% choose MBA/PGDM as an option when they are not able to get through the government jobs. My first findings are based on my face-to-face interaction with the students in more than 1000+ institutions in India (20 States including

300 cities).

 

Findings – 1

                                    First Choice     Second Choice            Third Choice

Metro City                  : Commerce     Arts                             Science                                   

Second Class City       : Commerce     Science                        Arts

Small City                   : Science          Arts                             Commerce

Findings - 2

First Choice                             Second Choice            Third Choice

Metro City                  : Private/Public Ltd                 Private Bank               Govt. Jobs                                          

Second Class               : Any Service Sector               Govt. Jobs                   NA

 

Small City                   : All types of Govt. Jobs         Private NA

                                    (90%)                                      (5%)                            (5%)

Note: My study is based on:

Metro City means – Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata & Chennai.

Second Class City means – Pune, Banglore, and Hyderabad.

Small City means – Ghaziabad, Alwar, Ranchi, and Patna etc.        

 

The following option under government jobs are:

1. Educational Colleges & Institutes

Do not go by the lucrative advertisements of the colleges whereby they have mentioned that they will pay you “Sixth” Pay Commission Pay-Scale. My personal study says that only 10% colleges in India offer Sixth Pay; in other college it is highly “negotiable”.

 

Findings - 3

                                                Category – ‘A’ School

 

Professor Salary                      : Rs. 75,000 to 2, 00, 00 PM

            (Minimum 15 years of post PHD experience + Corporate Exp)

 

Associate Professor     : Rs. 50,000 to 1, 00,000 PM

            (Minimum 10 years of post PHD experience + Corporate Exp.)

 

Assistant Professor     : Rs. 30,000 to 60,000 PM

            (Minimum 5 years of post PHD experience + Corporate Exp.)

 

                                                Category – ‘B’ School

 

Professor Salary                      : Rs. 50,000 to 1, 00, 00 PM

            (Minimum 15 years of post PHD experience + Corporate Exp)

 

Associate Professor     : Rs. 30,000 to 50,000 PM

            (Minimum 10 years of post PHD experience + Corporate Exp.)

 

Assistant Professor     : Rs. 15,000 to 30,000 PM

            (Minimum 5 years of post PHD experience + Corporate Exp.)

                                               

Category – ‘C’ School

 

Professor Salary                      : Rs. 50,000 to 60,000 PM

            (Minimum 15 years experience + PHD + Corporate Exp. If any)

 

Associate Professor     : Rs. 20,000 to 40,000 PM

            (Minimum 10 years experience + Doing PHD)

 

Assistant Professor     : Rs. 8,000 to 20,000 PM

            (Fresher’s with PHD or without PHD or between 1 to 15 years

            of Corporate experience without PHD)

 

Note: In India, 90% B-Schools falls under Category –C. That is why, the job opportunities are more for ‘fresher’ MBA/PGDM as a

• Lecturer or Assistant Professor – Rs.15,000 – Rs.30,000 PM
• Soft Skills Trainer – Rs. 10,000 – Rs.30,000 PM
• Education Counsellor – Rs.8,000 – Rs.15000 PM
• Administrative Officer – Rs.10,000 – Rs.30000 PM
• Marketing Executives – Rs. 15, 000 PM + Conveyance + Others
• Business Development Executives – Same as above
• Franchise Development Executives – Same as above
• Trainee Registrar – Rs.15,000 – Rs. 30, 000 PM
• Academic Associates – Rs.8,000 – Rs.15, 000 PM

 

In these types of institute this salary will remain the same for next one year after that there is increment of Rs.1, 000 to Rs. 3,000.

 

2. Public Sector Units (PSU’s – e.g. IOC, ONGC, SAIL, GAIL etc)

It is a fully stable and high profile jobs as a ‘Management Trainee’. There are total together 250 PSU’s in India. Out of that 20’s are very profitable with excellent terms and conditions whereby average salary during the training period ranges between Rs. 25,000 – 50,000 PM for the first year after that a very suitable package they offer in the near future. You will have all comforts of life within 5 years working over there especially if you are working with any ‘Navratan’ company. 

 

3. Bank Job’s (e.g. SBI, PNB, HDFC, ICICI, AXIX BANK etc)

It is also one of the stable and lucrative jobs in India as a ‘Probationary Officer’. The salary as a “Management Trainee” ranges between Rs. 25,000 – 50,000 PM. You will have all comforts of life within 5 years.

 

4. Defence Jobs

This is once again Royal job and very prestigious jobs in India with 100% stability. You can join any wings of Army, Navy and Air Force. The entire officers are getting “free” ration along with handsome salary under Sixth Pay Scale.

 

5. Other Government Jobs

a. Civil Services – e.g. IAS, IPS, IFS and IRS etc. – High Profile.

b. State Civil Services – e.g. DSP, Dy. Collector etc. – High Profile.

c. Railways – as an ASM & Section Officer – Stable & Secure.

d. Post Office – as a Management Trainee – Stable & Secure.

e. All India Radio – as a Transmission Executives – Stable & Secure.

 

Note: As per my study almost 60% students in “other” B-School appear for these jobs twice; if not selected then they join any private companies NOT as per their choice.

 

B.Private Jobs (Entrance Exam is not ‘Mandatory’)

I have divided this into five parts:

1. Private Limited Companies

Any such companies who are using “PVT” at the end of the company name falls under this category whereby these companies are not allowed to ‘issue’ shares to the public but they are doing very good business in this country. The best example under this are:

• All types of Management Consultants
• All types of Financial Consultants
• All types of Tours & Travel operator
• Educational Consultants

 

Their salary offer is between Rs.10000 PM – Rs.25000 PM according to their business size.

 

2. Public Limited 

These companies are listed on the stock market and excellent in doing business with excellent terms and conditions for their employees as per their size and structure. They offer minimum Rs.25000 – 50,000 PM if size is big otherwise starting salary is

Rs.10000 PM. Some of the companies under this list are very big and prestigious and at the same jobs are secure and stable. The few examples are:

Tata – Stable & Secure

Birla – Stable & Secure

Reliance – Highly Competitive

Bata – Stable & Secure etc.

 

3. Partnership

All CA’s firm falls under this category. But they hire mostly CA, ICWA and CS as a Tax and Audit specialist. If your major is ‘Finance’ and you are from the Commerce background then chances of your hiring is quite fair. The salary ranges between Rs.10, 000 – 30,000 PM. This is 100% insecure jobs.

 

4. Sole Proprietorship 

The best examples under this are: NGO, DSA and Learning Centres of Indian & Foreign Universities.

 

a.      NGO

NGO can be further divided into two categories: National & International. The best example of National NGO’s is – DISHA, DRISHTI, APNAPAN and CARE etc. The examples under International NGO’s are – WHO, UNICEF, UNICTAD etc. The salary offer is excellent in International NGO – Rs.25, 000 – 50,000 PM.

 

Note: If you really interested in hands on experience, just join any NGO voluntarily ‘free’ of cost and gain experience during your MBA/PGDM study. The experience of 2 years with any NGO will help you a lot after MBA/PGDM in getting good jobs.

 

b.      DSA – Direct Sales Agency

Now-a-days these people are hiring 30% of the work force with salary ranges betweenRs.10, 000 PM + Conveyance. The best example under this are: Maruti Dealer, Associates of HSBC, AMEX, STANCHARTERED, HDFC, ICICI etc. You will be working there as a Verification Officer for ‘loan’ and ‘credit’ card division.

 

c.       Learning Centres 

The best examples under this are – SMU, PTU, JHU, GJU, OU, JNTU, IGNOU, SCDL etc. The salary is fixed for next 2 years i.e. Rs.10, 000 PM. This is highly unstructured jobs without any other facility. Even you will have to work on Sundays and National holidays also. This job is not at all safe and secure but I will suggest that just be there for 2 years then take ‘big’ jump.

 

5. Call Centres

For last 10 years this job market is in high demand but ‘turnover’ is very high due to odd hours of working but salary is good and it is between Rs.10,000 – 30,000 PM as per one’s size and timings.

 

C.Entrepreneur (No Exam – it’s your baby)

Doing one’s business if you have

1. Money
2. Manpower
3. Method
4. Material
5. Machinery

 

 

Along with this you must have

1. Sufficient Knowledge
2. Sufficient Expertise
3. Ready to take ‘Risk’
4. Good at Decision Making
5. Innovative
6. A Team Player
7. Positive Attitude
8. Flexible

Again you should know

1. How to maintain Relationship?
2. How to retain your Clients?
3. How to refer?
4. How to recorrect your decision?

At last your focus should be on

1. Customer Satisfaction &
2. Human Satisfaction.

 

CONCLUSION

Please follow the following ‘Tips’ just after getting the admission in MBA/PGDM which is worth mentioning:

1. Develop a healthy relation with your ‘Professor’ at your college/institute and be ready to follow his/her instruction at any time.
2. Get recommended by your ‘Professor’ for hands on experience in any company on Part-Time basis e.g. NGO.
3. Get exposure on as many ‘projects’ as possible with the help of your professor.
4. Take initiative for arranging seminars, conferences, workshops or any other activities which will give you maximum exposure.
5.  Go to ‘industrial’ visits for twice in a year for better exposure.
6. Get registered yourself with www.naukri.com; www.monsterindia.com; www.timesjobs.com; www.shine.com etc. It’s free of cost.
7. If you can afford try to add some additional qualifications like CFA, CPA, ERP or SAP etc.

Major – Finance + CFA or CPA + ERP or SAP (Excellent Combination) or NCFM or CFP etc.

Major – HR + ERP or SAP + 6 months Certification (Excellent combination)

Major – Marketing + 1 year diploma in sales from NIS Sparta + ERP or SAP (Excellent combination)

8. Read any ‘National’ newspaper (e.g. TOI or HT or The Hindu) daily plus one any business magazine (e.g. Business World) for general awareness.
9. Always be in touch with your ‘Alumni’.
10. Be ready with a professional covering letter and resume.  
11. Develop a ‘Networking’ and be ready to take help from any one.
12. If possible form a ‘Placement’ cell with the help of your juniors, seniors and your own colleagues and never hesitate to take the help of yours and others relatives.
13. Join www.facebook.com ;www.orkut.com; www.twitter.com and develop a “community” and seek the help of industry people over there. 
14. As far as possible be honest in your dealing once you are “online” and seeking help of any one. Explain about yourself in detail and try if possible not to hide any ‘relevant’ information.
15. Go to www.freshersworld.com for all relevant information.           

           

 (The Happy Beginning....)