MBA as a Career option: Role specific and goal specific

Development in the society depends on the right strategy and effective management of policies in all areas, be it political, economic, social or cultural. Today, we relate the word management with the business and industry sector only, but it can be equally linked with most of the work areas.

Management implies quality of leadership and motivation to inspire and encourage people to work in order to achieve clearly defined targets before time or well on time. It involves lots of factors related to economy and policies. Certain decisions effect employees while others effect management. Planning, controlling, arrangement making, scheduling of things, required information, evaluation of technical, economic and other important things make management imperative.

Management science is related to the real world only; it takes situations and concepts from the day-to –day life. It also gives attention to analysis and statistical data. Management always works over psychological concepts for leadership skills and developing objectives for motivated and motivating the demotivated people. It studies the economics to determine the cost and expenses bared by the company. It also studies the organizational behavior of the employee who has been recruited from various segments of society. Political theory guides in understanding the hierarchy and power center, statistic and mathematics helps in predictions of profits and expenditures. Managers should always be able to draw rational conclusions, understand the rule, and always develop the basic to set good examples for others.

Business activities have become more and more complex and their management requires especially capable people to handle all type of situations. In small industries and organizations, management related responsibilities are handled by the owner itself. But in big organizations, a special team of qualified people works in hierarchy for smooth functioning of the organization. These managers may be qualified in specific functional areas of management.

Management hierarchy

Nowadays, most of the organizations follow an operational hierarchy in management. The following paragraphs describe the kind of work managers are expected to perform at each level:

Junior management positions

Most of the public and private sector firms recruit management trainees. They work as junior most executive and assist the other cadre. Management trainees undergo a rigorous probation during which they are introduced to the functioning of the organization. After the completion of the training they are assigned to junior level managerial positions.

Generally management trainees are graduates. They need not have work experience or any degree in management but selection is made generally on the basis of personal traits such as good communication skills and work habits. Some reputed firms prefer to train young executives in the management operations in their own organization as per their firm’s requirements. Such firms select young promising graduates from reputed college campuses and induct them into their work force. Others, however, may prefer trained MBA's from business schools.

What the course is about

General Management – For a broad business background the general management course is most suitable choice for aspirants. The main objective of the course is to develop leadership skills for being able to lead in an organization. The courses seek to increase critical thinking and analytical skills for understanding the real situation better.

Course content - Social and Political Environment of Business, Management and Career Development, Organisational Behaviour and Leadership, Marketing Management, Leading Change in a Quality Organisation, Human Resources Management, Power and influence, Management and Leadership, Competitive Strategy, International Management, Behaviour Skills for Managers and Professionals, Operations Management, Materials Management Business Ethics.

Prospects with General Management - Smaller companies prefer the general MBA candidates because they have a broad skill background and are better in team work and communication skills. Larger companies prefer the specialist MBA's because it gives them depth in a specific area such as finance or marketing. Students whose goal is to work in an institution to oversee the entire operations need a general management degree. Some institutions are well know for imparting a valuable blend of subject and skill specific courses.

Smaller companies prefer the general MBA candidates because they have extensive skills and better in team work and communication. Larger and big companies prefer the specialized MBA candidates because it gives them depth in the particular area such as marketing, Human Resource, International Business or Finance. Students whose goal is to work for entire operations need a general management degree. Some institutions are famous and best for imparting a valuable blend of subjects and skills specific courses.

Other Specializations

Operational areas for managers in any enterprise are marketing, sales, personnel, finance, accounting, Production, materials, exports, and market research. There are post graduate management courses in these areas offered by private institutions as well as Universities. Several sectors conduct specialized management courses like: Hospitality, Travel, Hotels, Hospitals, Retail, Fire Departments, Rural sector etc.