MBA SPECIAL...MBA WHILE ON JOB ...EMPLOYED LEARNERS

MBA WHILE ON JOB 

EMPLOYED LEARNERS

Navjeet Benipal, student of the Fully Employed MBA programme at UCLA Anderson School of Management talks about pursuing an MBA degree without leaving his job 

 
    I wanted an MBA degree from a top-quality B-school without having to quit my job or give up a promising career of seven years. After weighing my options, I chose UCLA Anderson Fully-employed MBA (FEMBA) programme, which is equivalent to their full-time MBA programme with the added convenience of attending classes in the evening or over the weekend. This programme is more suited for career switchers, as it offers courses in more disciplines compared to the executive MBA programme, which focuses on improving the existing skill set of managers.
    I have a background in engineering, with a modest real-world experience in finance and management. The FEMBA programme was a better fit for my personal needs, as I wanted to a rigorous finance and management education. It provided access to a world of new opportunities through the career centre and alumni networks on campus. In addition, it also prepared me for jobs that were of interest to me through relevant coursework and activities outside the class.
    The faculty is accessible at convenient times for the students, such as in the evenings or over the weekends. Students can even call or email faculty members at anytime. The schools organises networking events and lunches on regular basis for the evening/ weekend student community.
    I have been on international trips with FEMBA, full-time and executive MBA students and have worked with them on projects in elective classes, which are open to all management students.
    Even though I stand to graduate from the course in 2014, I landed a position as an M&A manager in a reputable oil and gas company. My background in the oil and gas business, coursework in corporate finance, corporate valuation, mergers and acquisitions and option markets and the school’s brand name made me stand out among the other contenders.
    UCLA Anderson has provided some of the best experiences of my life and has instilled in me the idea to continuously challenge myself to pursue better and bigger achievements. My five year plan is to build on my successes as an M&A manager and attain a senior corporate management position in the company.
    In the longer term, I envision starting my own company or maybe accepting a senior role in an Indian company.
    — As told to Gauri Rane