Now that you have decided to do an MBA, it is time
to decide the best MBA program to suit your profile, aspirations, and
situation. Here is a checklist of the factors that you need to consider:
Product and Brand Managers
1. An MBA is a pre-requisite for the role of a Brand Manager. A Brand
Manager’s responsibilities include coordinating and overseeing a variety
of divisions of a corporation to ensure the efficient and timely flow
of a product to the market.
2. A Brand Manager focuses on product and market development, either on the domestic front or in international markets.
3. It is a preferred field in marketing as it has a more stable and
balanced lifestyle compared to profiles in investment banking, venture
capital, media, or consulting.
4. Work picks up during the planning season when Brand Managers start developing marketing plans for the coming year.
5. This profile might also require you to work overseas for a few years.
MBA Careers in Investment Management
1. Investment Management is a low-risk, high reward industry as
investment managers are paid a percentage sum of the amount involved
with the client.
2. In addition to Investment Managers, there are Investment Research
Associates who are responsible for generating recommendations to
Portfolio Managers on companies or products to invest in across a range
of markets (stocks, bonds, forex etc).
MBAs in Media & Entertainment
1. The Media Industry offers a host of jobs to people with little or no
experience in the industry but have the passion and skill to work hard
and succeed.
2. This industry continues to flourish in India and abroad even during an economic recession.
3. The qualities required in an individual to get through are aptitude,
confidence, innovation and a driven attitude. The atmosphere is
collegial and friendly. The rapid pace of change attracts the young who
can adapt quickly and can pursue new opportunities fast.
4. It may not be as high-paying as Investment Banking or Consulting, but
the opportunity to work with companies such as Sony, Time Warner, and
Viacom and the inherent creativity and glamour of the job usually
compensates for that.
Life as a Venture Capitalist
1. Venture capital investments generally are high-risk, but offer the potential for very high returns.
2. A highly competitive, challenging, and highly rewarding field, a
career as a Venture Capitalist (VC) requires a background in finance and
economics.
3. Those who thrive on commitment, competition, risk, and high rewards find this industry to be just right for them.
MBAs in the Fashion Industry
1. Networks and experience count more than education in the Fashion Industry.
2. A hands-on experience in sales, consulting or merchandising is
essential before joining the industry. Only very few companies like Live
Strauss, Nike, Cartier, and Eddie Bauer hire MBA’s for creative
positions.
3. The jobs required here are in finance and supply chain issues. The
companies generally look for experience prior to business school,
especially in consulting or industry.
Real Estate MBAs
1. Real Estate is a complex industry encompassing buying, selling, leasing, and financing property.
2. An MBA needs to have specific qualifies like people skills, and a
sense of entrepreneurship to pursue jobs in the Corporate Finance,
Investment Finance, or Property sectors.
3. Passion and enthusiasm for the industry and knowledge of the real
estate market is a prerequisite for starting a career in this sector.
The Energy Industry
1. There is a strong prevalence for hiring technical people in the
Energy industry and there is a stress on appointing people with a sound
academic background.
2. The sector compulsorily looks for technical undergraduate degrees or pre-MBA work in energy or another technical field.
Management Consultancy
1. A highly demanding yet rewarding job, you will be expected to
formulate original and realistic solutions to meet business needs.
2. Management Consultants are expected to have strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
3. Problem-solving and the ability to remain focused in a
deadline-driven, detail-oriented environment should already be one of
your trademarks because there will be intense crunch times during the
life span of your projects that will entail you to give your best to
exceed your client’s expectations.
4. Markets are prone to constant change, and they require individuals
with multi-ethnic skills as well as a proven ability to learn in a
deadline-driven environment. Management Consultants are expected to
specialize in diverse sectors such as media and entertainment,
technology, or change management.
5. Complex research on various technologies and processes to create
practical yet innovative solutions for clients, and then convincing them
to act on those solutions are an essential part of the job.
6. It involves frequent travel; requiring you to spend 75% of your time
away from home. However, rewards include handsome starting salaries
straight out of a business school.
