Which is the Best MBA Course for Working Professionals in India?

In today’s world, MBA courses for working professionals in India are really important for those of us wanting to get ahead in our jobs. With new tech like Big Data, AI, and ML changing how businesses work, we all need to keep learning new things. I’ve found that doing an MBA after getting some work experience is much better than doing it right after college. This way, “the best time to do an MBA in India” is after you’ve worked for a while. 

Everyone can’t just stay the same and expect to move up in careers. Taking an Executive MBA (EMBA) has opened up new Career Options and will be a smart choice for learning new skills. It helps us bring more to our companies and stay competitive. Doing an EMBA has really changed how I see my career and given me the tools to lead and make a difference. 

Why should you choose an Online MBA 

Over the last few years, the inclination towards online MBA has increased multiplefold. It is for professionals who want to make a career switch but cannot afford to take out time for a full-time MBA. They can simply enroll in an online course and complete their management degree simultaneously with their job. Some other reasons why you should choose an online MBA for working professionals in India are: 

• It is a cost-effective option. You can skip the commute or additional expenditure on resources to sustain a full-time education setup. 
• Online MBA has worldwide recognition, so you get the chance to explore global opportunities. 

There are countless other options, like easy accessibility and exponential career growth, that explain why you should choose an online MBA.

Advantages of Pursuing MBA for Working Professionals 

With this background, let’s now go through the advantages of pursuing an MBA degree for working professionals

 1. Monetary benefits:

One of the best benefits is you can continue your job while pursuing MBA without any negative effects on your studies. No need to abandon your current job and solely focus on the MBA program. After the course is completed, you can explore even more career opportunities.

2. Flexibility:

Various MBA courses for working professionals are designed to help you study at your pace and time. You can choose the course’s study schedule based on your convenience.

 3. Functional:

An MBA degree for working professionals keeps you on the job and helps you to stay closer to the functional environment. You will learn while working. Moreover, it unlocks outstanding opportunities to network with others.

Career Prospects after pursuing MBA for the Working Professionals:

Many MBA courses for working professionals are structured so that the students can access lucrative job opportunities after the course completion. Here is the list of a few appealing career opportunities one can explore after completing an MBA for working professionals in India:

• Project Manager:

After completing your online MBA for working professionals in India, you can start your career as a Project Manager. These professionals are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects within a fixed timeframe and budget. They lead the teams working on a project, demarcate project objectives for them and ensure that their work is in compliance with the quality standards. Furthermore, Project Managers focus on creating a collaborative environment within the company, promoting efficiency and innovation. 

• Account Manager

An Account Manager works to maintain and nurture relationships with clients to ensure desired customer satisfaction. The idea is to keep the client happy and retain them for a significant time period. They serve as the primary point of contact between the customer and the internal team, communicating the requirements to and from. They provide continuous updates to clients, address their concerns, and make sure to cater to all their expectations. 

• Sales Manager

The responsibility of a Sales Manager is to lead and guide a sales team, helping them achieve revenue targets and other business objectives. They create sales strategies, decide goals, and create a plan of action that can inch them closer to success. Sales Managers also work to build and maintain cordial relationships with key clients, negotiate contracts, and assist in developing budget strategies. 

• Risk Manager

As the title suggests, a Risk Manager is responsible for identifying and mitigating potential organizational risks. If you do not identify these risks on time, they may impact the financial stability, market reputation, or operations. Risk Managers communicate risk management strategies and implement them with the help of different departments. The goal is to proactively manage risks, protect the organization’s interests, and contribute to its stability and growth. 

• Brand Manager

Brand Managers develop and execute strategies to improve brand image, awareness, and market positioning. They study market trends, sales insights, and competitor activities to create fruitful business plans. As a brand manager, you would have to oversee the marketing campaigns and ensure higher customer satisfaction levels by managing consistent messaging across channels. 

• Marketing Manager

Another role you can explore after completing an executive MBA for working professionals in India is of a marketing manager. These professionals develop strategies and plans to help boost the market reputation of the business. They handle everything from creating the business plans till the execution is complete. As a marketing manager, you will manage business collaborations with other channels or industry experts to achieve desired business goals. 

• Digital Marketing Manager

Digital marketing is an in-demand and highly paying domain in the market these days. If you come from a technical background, completing one of the best online MBA programs in India for working professionals, a digital marketing manager can surely be your target. These professionals handle all the online channels through which the brand connects with its customers.  

• Human Resource Manager

A Human Resource Manager plays a significant role by overseeing various activities related to the workforce. They are responsible for recruitment processes, hiring and onboarding new employees, and managing them during the course of employment. HR managers also do performance evaluations and conduct training programs to ensure every employee is proficient enough for the assigned job. 

• Management Consultant

A management consultant is an external advisor who helps businesses bring efficiency to their work. These professionals study business processes to identify inefficiencies and propose solutions to deliver the best end products. Every business requires tailor-made strategies that align with their business goals. That is exactly what the management consultants do. Consultants conduct research, gather data, and provide insights to facilitate informed decision-making. 

• Finance Manager

Finance managers take care of the financial health of an organization by carefully managing the budget, reporting, and other accounting activities. They analyze all the data that provide them insights into the business and use that information for strategic planning and to make informed decisions. Furthermore, they oversee cash flow and monitor all expenses, verifying compliance with financial regulations and reporting standards. 

• Entrepreneur

There is always an option to not look for a full-time job and start something of your own after completing your MBA for executives. Most enthusiasts who wish to quit their jobs and build their own ventures opt for an online MBA before that. It helps them learn different management strategies and get familiar with how businesses work. 

• Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is a bridge or common point of contact between business stakeholders and the teams working on a project. They gather data from multiple sources to conduct feasibility studies and create a detailed list of requirements for system upgrades or new projects. If you plan to work as a business analyst, you should focus on building excellent communication skills. 

• Data Analysts

The role of a Data Analyst is to extract valuable insights from raw data for informed decision-making. These experts use data visualization tools and techniques to present their research reports in a comprehensive manner. The idea is to make the non-technical stakeholders understand every little detail. A data analyst is an integral part of any company, as it helps enhance customer experiences and support strategic planning. 

• Operations Manager

An Operations Manager oversees the day-to-day activities of a business, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. It is their responsibility to optimize processes, manage resources, and implement strategies that meet business objectives. These experts collaborate with various departments within the company to streamline workflows and improve overall productivity. Focus on building robust problem-solving skills if you plan to become an operations manager.   

• Equity Research Analyst

Candidates interested in studying market trends and digging into financial data can choose to become an equity research analyst. These experts carry out deeper research on specific industries and evaluate the financial statements. Using this information, they work towards improving the company’s performance through various quantitative and qualitative methods. The role requires a deep understanding of the financial market and the ability to make informed investment-related decisions. 

• Business Development Executive

The role of a business development executive is to identify new business opportunities and help a business expand. They conduct deep market research and find out the potential clients. To bring new clients on board, they engage with them and present the company profile to them in an attractive manner. The skills that they master are prospecting, lead generation, and product promotions. 

Now let’s go through the details of an MBA for working professionals in some major cities of India.

Best colleges for MBA for Working Professionals in Delhi:

Delhi is an educational hub in India. Students from various parts of the country envision obtaining admission to the top-ranked colleges and universities on the list. Below is a list of a few of the topmost colleges for MBA for working professionals in Delhi.

• International Management Institute
• Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
• Jamia Millia Islamia
• Delhi University
• Institute of Management and Technology

Best colleges for MBA for Working Professionals in Bangalore:

Bangalore is India’s Silicon Valley. Completing an MBA from one of the leading colleges in Bangalore increases the chances of jobs with a decent salary. Here is the list of some of the topmost colleges in Bangalore for MBA for working professionals: 

• IIM
• Christ University
• Institute of Management Technology
• Indian School of Business Management
• ILAM Bangalore

Pursuing MBA for Working Professionals from IIM

IIM is one of the premier colleges to pursue an MBA. It may seem tough to get admission here because students must meet the eligibility criteria declared by the college. Completing an MBA from IIM guarantees high-profile jobs with admirable salary packages. There are 12 IIMs in India that run executive MBA programs. Here is the list of a few topmost IIM colleges in which MBA for working professionals in India can get admission.

• IIM, Bangalore
• IIM, Ahmedabad
• IIM, Calcutta
• IIM, Indore
• IIM, Lucknow

MBA programs for working professionals are best suitable for:

• Working executives aiming to transit from technical to managerial roles
• Mid-to senior-level managers ambitious to apply the cutting-edge management principles and accept challenging responsibilities
• Entrepreneurs who wish to scale up their business by escalating their management repertoire

What is an Executive MBA for Working Professionals?

An Executive MBA for working professionals is designed to help them move higher up the promotional ladder to senior-level leadership and managerial roles. Usually, an Executive MBA for working professionals allows them to accomplish their goals of higher studies, thereby enabling them to sharpen and expand their business and managerial skills. 

The best thing about an Executive MBA for working professionals is that any professional having around 2-5 years of experience can take up an EMBA program. However, the specifics of the eligibility criteria might vary from one institution to another.

An Executive MBA program usually targets talented and experienced professionals from different fields. It is more suitable for those candidates willing to enhance their skills, obtain more experience, and learn leadership qualities. It is one of the best MBA for working professionals because its multicultural nature provides them with international management experience. Moreover, they can have an adaptable schedule that doesn’t negatively affect their ongoing job.

Some colleges provide executive MBA programs for 15-18 months. EMBA is suitable for working professionals as it emphasises more the business’ critical details and lessons in the theory. Generally, this program proves to be the best MBA for working professionals who have amassed 4-5 years of experience in the industry and own advanced management knowledge. These qualities help them quickly escalate their career graph.

Let’s now get familiar with the types of executing MBA programs.

Types of executive MBA:

The executive MBA program is suitable for working professionals and they usually have less time. It may become difficult for them to attend classes. Such problems can be solved by choosing a suitable type of executive MBA program that matches your schedule.

Full-Time Executive MBA:

Its course duration is 1 year. It primarily relies on teamwork with a determination to accomplish a common goal. It is best suited for students having decent analytical skills, aptitude skills, IT skills, and some experience in the management field.

Students who pursue this course from one of the leading MBA colleges in India would study topics like Human Resource Management, Marketing, Microfinance, International Business, etc. Moreover, the course curriculum introduces them to Executive Communication and Strategic Management. These aspects help them survive in the competitive job environment and therefore, it is the best MBA for working professionals in India.

EMBA Online:

Various colleges offer EMBA in online mode. It is suitable for those working professionals who don’t want to abandon their jobs and still effectively pursue MBA. EMBA Online is prevalent in India and abroad too. Compared to the on-campus courses, EMBA Online is cheaper.

Usually, its course duration is 15-20 months. The candidates must have a GPA score of 3.0 out of 4.0 and a minimum GMAT score of 550 to qualify for this one of the best MBA for working professionals in India. It is commonly found that EMBA online is extremely useful for pursuing an MBA for IT professionals in India.

Weekend EMBA:

These days, weekend MBAs are becoming widespread for those students who want to continue their jobs in the quest for an EMBA degree. The course duration is 18 months. You can make the most of this type of EMBA if you hold at least 3 years of industry experience. Its course structure is found more suitable for the MBA for IT professionals in India. The reason is this program avoids classes during the weekdays considering that the candidate would be busy with their job.

upGrad’s Executive MBA with Specialization in Business Analytics is one of the most excellent EMBA programs in the country.  

upGrad Advantage

upGrad’s courses are very well-structured and designed to cater to the evolving needs of students/professionals, and its MBA(Executive)-BA program is no exception. Apart from 1000+ hours of learning, the program promises more than 200 hours of live faculty interaction.

Candidates get to hone their industry skills by working on 20 projects, with the 3-month Capstone Project being a part of the growing experience. Furthermore, you also get to indulge in one-on-one interaction sessions with top industry leaders. Learn more about the scope of MBA in Business Analytics.

To ensure a well-rounded learning experience, upGrad has a dedicated team of mentors who are ever-ready to offer 360-degree career support to each candidate. They also provide personalized feedback to each individual on their assignments and help them track their progress throughout the course duration.

To help students with placement, the faculty conducts mock interviews and resume building sessions. upGrad also hosts various offline events to encourage peer-to-peer networking.

On completion of upGrad’s Executive MBA course for working professionals, you can connect with over 250 hiring partners of UpGrad. You can choose from among a diverse range of job roles such as Business Consultant, Management Consultant, International Business Manager, Senior Business Development Executive, Brand Manager, and Account Manager, to name a few.

Many candidates are confused about doing an MBA while working. Well, determining how to work and manage time while pursuing a Master’s or PhD degree is one of the challenging aspects of graduate school. However, the good news is that you can effectively plan a class schedule that lets you work full-time when pursuing your MBA. Adopting a business attitude streamlines the learning of MBA programs for working professionals.

For working professionals, this course is an excellent choice because the weekly time commitment is only around 10-15 hours. This gives you the flexibility to juggle your work and studies efficiently. 

So, how about enrolling in upGrad’s MBA from Liverpool Business School and taking your career to the next level?

Learn MBA Courses from the World’s top Universities. Earn Masters, Executive PGP, or Advanced Certificate Programs to fast-track your career.

Eligibility criteria for Distance MBA courses for working Professionals

As the name suggests, the MBA courses for working professionals are specifically for those who are already working full-time. It is a distance education setup that anyone qualifying the following eligibility criteria can join. 

• You must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a renowned college or university in India. 
• You must have scored a minimum of 50% marks in your graduation. 
• Two years of full-time work experience is also mandatory to enroll in the MBA program curated for working professionals. 
• Some institutes may ask for a letter of recommendation from your manager and consider it as an eligibility criterion before enrolment. 

Anybody qualifying for the eligibility terms can enrol on the online MBA course and start their journey to become a management professional. 

Conclusion 

In this competitive professional world, you will get stuck in one place if you do not plan your moves well. Thus, opting for an online MBA after gaining a few years of work experience is advisable for any working professional. Once you understand your domain well, learning management skills will open your doors for growth. You will be eligible to explore and apply for managerial or executive posts that bring handsome salaries and secured job roles. You only have to ensure that you choose a reliable course provider and pick the domain in which you are highly inclined. Put efforts into learning, and you will experience exponential business growth.