MBA SPECIAL...e-MBA

e-MBA

Sanchita Hazra from Kolkata with four years work experience decided to pursue an executive MBA. She shares her experience in an eMBA classroom

 There is no denying that you acquire most of your skill sets, whilst actually doing the job. However, to get a broad picture about all the functional areas in business and getting to know various models and concepts, an MBA education is of great help. After four years of work experience, I realised that to aspire for senior management positions like GM or VP in the corporate world, I very much needed to upgrade my knowledge about business management. Hence, I decided to go for an executive MBA programme.
    An executive MBA, as opposed to a full-fledged, twoyear MBA, saves a year and puts you a year ahead of your peers, career-wise. However, in my view the intensity and rigour required for a one-year MBA is possible only if it is a fully residential course, which is applicable to UBS.
    To be in a classroom for four to six hours in a day after so many years felt a little constraining. However, I soon discovered that an MBA involves a lot of group work and classes involve a lot of dialogue and we got used to the schedules. The focus on experiential learning and simulation games allowed us to recreate the workplace within the boundaries of a campus.
    It was also a different learning experience to study along side professionals from different industries. Learning from my classmates was a very important part of what I have gained from pursuing an executive MBA. It was refreshing to get their insights about business issues. When students came from France, we realised how cross-cultural perceptions can be very different. These classroom interactions made me realise the importance of diversity.
    In an executive MBA classroom, there is a lot of dialogue. The student presentations/ faculty lectures maybe for 20 minutes however, the discussions extend for more than an hour. This helps to learn the different perceptions others have about the challenges and the solutions for any business issue. The faculty too is welcoming in allowing students to express their opinions freely, even if one is to disagree with them. Each student of the class gets the opportunity to give his/ her opinion on the issues involved.
    Post completion of executive MBA, my confidence level has soared as a consequence of the experiential knowledge I have gained. I now feel comfortable about addressing various issues in all the different management functions. This will also enable me to better coordinate with colleagues in other functions, when I get on to my next job. Currently, I am looking forward to be placed in a good company and become a manager in the next two years. I am going to work hard and hope to serve in senior management positions like a GM in the next seven to eight years.
    - As told to Gauri Rane IN EDUT120806