Why MBA?

The MBA bug bit me around September 2004. I was in Tokyo at that time and had a fair bit of time to introspect and to think about the future. Initially it seemed of with a whim, as if I had taken fancy to a random idea. However, the idea kept on revolving around my head as if it was a jigsaw. I won’t say that I have figured it out completely, but my ideas have crystallized quite a bit since September 2004.

Why an MBA?
I have progressed a fair bit at a fast pace without an MBA. But, I do not want to rest on my laurels and want to ensure that I do not run into a dead end in the short or long term future. First and foremost, I want to ensure that I am prepared for future roles and am able to perform the roles effectively.

I feel that as a beginner learning on the job is the norm and is acceptable. This learning may be through:

• Formal training organized by the organization
• Coaching by immediate supervisors
• Observing peers
• Process of trial and error

However as one moves up the career ladder avenues of training dry up, finding a coach / guide becomes difficult (if not impossible), opportunity to observe others performing same / similar role are limited, and the cost of learning by trial-and-error is extremely high. An MBA will not teach you how to perform a job, but it equips you with frameworks and toolkits to evaluate situations and weigh options. In itself this is a tremendous benefit.

Second, I want to broaden my horizons. Till now my experience has been centered on people management, project management, and a technical domain. Exposure to business domain has been limited to client interaction, and contract discussions. I feel that the exposure gained through interactions with people from various educational backgrounds, and diverse industries will broaden my horizon and allow me to look further into it.

Finally, the network one can build will prove to be extremely useful.