MBA After Engineering ? Why ?
Let's Discuss.
Hello!
Such a question to answer, which I am able to relate with my real life experience.
Talented engineers will advance within the engineering roles early in their careers. To advance to senior management, they need to be more than just good engineers. They need the broader business knowledge and skills to become strategic leaders of their organizations.
An MBA gives an engineer the broader business knowledge to make strategic business decisions and to understand the full impact of those decisions. They need to be able to manage people. An understanding of the business from all aspects including marketing, sales, finance, and supply chain are critical in a senior leadership role. Leaders must be able to make strategic decisions, negotiate and persuade others and lead a high-performance team. Other critical skills include oral and written communications, ability to work in teams, problem solving, and analytical skills. Cross function effectiveness is critical to success. Leaders need to work effectively with people who think differently than they do.
Engineering provides technical knowledge and MBA managerial inputs both are required to excel in this competitive corporate world.
I talk with a sizeable number of employers in my Career Services role. They are very clear that being a good engineer (or any other functional specialist) is not the route to the C-suite. Leaders need the broader set of skills to be successful in today’s competitive business environment. Engineering backgrounds certainly translate well when coupled with an MBA. The pace of business decisions and the global impact continue to increase so companies are seeking agile leaders who understand the implications of decisions across their organization – not just in one functional area. Even a pure engineering firm needs a leader with strong business skills to ensure the success and growth of the firm.
One of the major trends that works well for engineers is the significant increased focus on analytics across industries and functions. The engineering students I have worked with add significant value to their employers with the strong analytical skills.
C-Suite roles are requiring increased agility in strategic decision making, managing cross functional teams, and providing increased analytics to monitor the business and support the decisions. Engineers with the added management training of an MBA are well positioned to advance into these roles. The systematic thought process they use as engineers translates effectively to management when coupled with a business education and perspective.
One of the best examples of the difference between an engineer and a business leader with engineering experience comes from the world of product design. The engineer wants to include all the features and functions in the product that they are capable of designing. The business leader wants to include the features and functions that are important to their clients and prospects and that differentiate from their competition.
Now with question, comes a hidden question link, which says, which MBA college or university will help me to inculcate such skills.
MBA is not a class room program, once you step out then only you can learn. I would the university that provides more of practical and real life learning is the one which makes you stand high in this corporate world.
Being an Alumni of Lovely Professional University, I can say that LPU offers the perfect blend of theoretical and practical learning for this course.
Few of the major features of this course at LPU are :
Internationally Accredited
Accredited by Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Program (ACBSP).
Contemporary Curriculum
Instil advanced knowledge about contemporary area in management such as Green Marketing
Industrial Tie-ups
Collaboration/Tie up with the companies like NSE, Safe Educate, ICICI Direct, IDFC, etc. to give students the opportunity for pursuing live projects and/or professional certifications like NCCMP, NCFM etc.
Workshops
Industry desired workshops on Digital Marketing, Business Analytics, Stock Market Operations, Life Skills, Creativity and Innovation, and Leadership to make students industry ready.
Specializations
The course offers specialization offerings in Marketing, Finance, Human Resource, Information Technology, International Business, Financial Markets, Operations, Retail Management, Entrepreneurship, Hospital and Healthcare Management.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship projects are integral part of curriculum and help establish themselves as successful entrepreneurs.
Community Development Projects
Opportunity to work on community development project on social issues to cultivate social sensitivity and sense of responsibility.
Industry Based Live Projects
Opportunity to work on business projects to enhance managerial skills.
Professional Enhancement
In addition to core curricula, course offers subjects like communication, analytical and soft skills to enhance personality and employability.
Software Skills
Curriculum is equipped with 21st century digital technologies required for managing their specialized area.
Case Based Teaching
Usage of real life case studies to provide interactive teaching and learning methodology
Holistic Development
Participation in technical events, sports and cultural activities help in the holistic development of students
I hope this helps.
All the best.
Do post your concerns, queries or experience in comment section.