Is MBA After Engineering A Good Idea?

Is MBA After Engineering A Good Idea?

In this blog, we explore the drive towards MBA after engineering. And why it may or may not be a good idea to follow MBA after engineering!

16250
6
SHARE
MBA After Engineering: Is it a good idea?
MBA After Engineering (Image: BYJU's)
MBA After Engineering: Is it a good idea?
MBA After Engineering (Image: BYJU’s)

Even as the times change and we as a millennial move towards interest-backed careers, the surge to become engineers is high. Students think of engineering even before they make the career/course choice. And at Engineering schools find out that it’s not for them. That’s why, in this blog, we explore the drive towards MBA after engineering. And why it may or may not be a good idea to follow the droves of students who do that!

Engineering, MBA: The Common Road

An Indian Express report recently pointed out that the 20 MBA CAT toppers last year with cent-per-cent scores were engineering students. 85% of PGP students at IIM Bangalore are engineers. MBA today is the most sought-after career option for Engineers. Recent trends indicate that a majority of B.Tech/BE pass-outs seeking higher education opt for MBA.

It isn’t, however, on their core subjects.

So what makes them switch from their core domain? Let us dive into detail.

Why Engineers opt for an MBA?

MBA After Engineering
MBA After Engineering – Why?

No matter what people say, many who join the Engineering path, don’t realize that they are an ideological fit with the courses, the opportunities available, the training required or even whether they have the aptitude fit for it. They are completely clueless.

This realization comes a bit late and that is when they start looking for options. Most of the engineers start believing that getting into a good Business School will put them in a fast-track mode in their career. Hence, they switch to MBA after engineering.

Bandwagon Effect

MBA is at times a bandwagon effect.
MBA is at times a bandwagon effect.

In India, the parameter for a student’s intelligence is the ranking of the College or University he/she goes to. Students who fail JEE miss that ‘elite’ club. That distress arising from the failure never goes and keeps haunting from within.

Leave aside TIER 1 cities, most Indian students are still not as exposed to the tons of career opportunities which exist today. Even at school, you’re more likely to be acquainted with terms like engineering and medical, rather than finance and consulting.

In most cases, opting for an MBA is not a well-thought decision but an act of going with the flow. While approaching the end of their B.Tech career, “Most of my friends are planning to pursue MBA so I’m also thinking of appearing for CAT” is the statement most of the candidates come up with.

Pathetic Quality of Education

The employability skill gap will lead to this shortfall in different industries. (Image: Business Today)
The employability skill gap will lead to this shortfall in different industries. (Image: Business Today)

The quality of education that is being imparted in the majority of engineering colleges across the country is well-known. This factor contributes towards students losing interest in their subjects while midway through their degree.

Money Matters!

Because money matters!
Because money matters!

Money, money, money, sweeter than honey! It is a normal notion that MBA graduates are paid more than the Engineering graduates which, in fact, is true to a great extent. In fact, if you’re still an Engineer (one with a diploma), these are the highest paid jobs you can get!

Easy Entrance Exams

MBA Entrance Exams
MBA Entrance Exams

Sounds absurd? MBA entrance exams might be the toughest ones for candidates from other streams but engineers often find it easy. The reason behind this is simple!  A major component of the exams like CAT, XAT, and MAT are the Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning sections, and that is what engineers do since their beginning.

Lack of Quality Engineering Jobs in India

India churns out more engineers than what USA and China do collectively. Availability of jobs is dismal but the number is humongous. Students, unable to land any job, switch to MBA in order to ensure employability.

A major chunk is formed of those BTech graduates who want to pursue a masters degree but think M.Tech is not their cup of tea. They find MBA relatively easier and hence opt for it.

Is it the way forward?

B.Tech+MBA=?
B.Tech+MBA=?

IIT+IIM (or B.Tech+MBA from other top colleges) combo has become a big brand. Products of this combo are treated as celebrities by the young generation. What if you miss the first one? Even the IIM tag alone is considered enough to make it big in professional life. Be it the ex-RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, noted author Chetan Bhagat, or commentator Harsha Bhogle; many students look up to them for a dose of motivation.

While interacting with the students in an open interactive session recently, Mr. Rajan was thrown exactly this question – Why do most Indians opt for an MBA after engineering? His reply somehow answers all doubts that you must have in your mind.

In India, remuneration of an engineer is not at par with a manager. We need more companies which would treat their engineers at par with their managerial counterparts. Companies need to invest more in R&D and give challenging roles to engineers. People move in a direction that is incentivized. However, no education is a waste!

Pros of an MBA After Engineering

If you are an engineer not sure whether to pursue MBA after engineering, or you have already made up your mind to go for it, there are a few good reasons how it can benefit you tremendously.

1. Easy Transition to a Managerial Role

If you want an easy transition to a managerial role and climb up the hierarchy, you are on the right track. This is because MBA program is usually easier than the engineering curriculum. In addition, a particular technical knowledge will keep you tied down to a particular industry. But with an MBA, you can apply your business knowledge to any industry.

2. High market value

Moreover, the market values a great combination of techno-managerial skills. Engineering graduates are often preferred over other graduates from three-year programmes. This is because companies find it better to invest in someone with additional skills in domains like software or electronics.

To keep it precise, if you learn managerial skills after having a technical degree, it’ll help you focus on cost-effective results.

What do you think? Would you opt for an MBA after your engineering degree? Are you opting for one – and if yes, why? Let us know in the comments section below. We also recommend a visit to the AMCAT jobs board for matched MBA jobs.

6 COMMENTS

  1. Great article!!
    Yes you are exactly right about numerous benefits for those people who want to pursue MBA after engineering and there is one most amazing benefit that you will get easy success to a managerial position and move up in the hierarchy so thanks a lot for helping engineering students for showing another path.Thank You.

  2. The scope of management courses is increasing day by day. Once you have completed your degree, you have a great job opportunity in the industrial world. In the management sector you can reach at the top designation, in quick span of time. It opens a number career paths in the future. In any sector, master of business administration experts or professionals play a very significant role.The management is the way to reach on the top of the height as soon as possible by using your leadership and working proficiency. After the completion of Btech i’ve placed in so many companies but going for MBA as higher studies is my best decision ever. now Here i am the student of MBA from Quantum University which does not only have a good educational background but which provides me more than that and develops me as a whole.

  3. Engineering education doesn’t tell you much of anything about how business works. just techincal stuff. . .An engineering degree will teach you how to apply your knowledge practically.An MBA degree will teach you how to manage people with engineering degrees, who are going to be working for you. Engineers joining management give multitasking ability for engineers. For example if an engineer has done MBA for acquire management skills, get job in technical department of any company. That engineer can also handle management responsibility as well. This helps to increase their salary package, so national economy as well. In the competitive market scenario companies require multitasking employees. here i am the student of MBA from Quantum university which is situated in Roorkee, uttrakhand. which is the best college for Technical and business studies in north India.

  4. This article is very informative and gives suggestions on is mba after engineering good idea.Anyone searching for same topic may find their shelter here. I am sure many people will come to read this in future.Great blog indeed, will visit again future to read more!! If possible visit this website Bvtengineering.com to gain more idea or tips on the same.

  5. Thanks for sharing informative article. I was looking for such kind of information as my sister is planning to do this course from Chandigarh Group of Colleges Landran ( https://www.cgc.edu.in ). This article will be be helpful to her .

LEAVE A REPLY