How relevant is work experience for MBA?

The most disputed and debated question of all times, students from all walks of life often wonder whether or not should they have work experience before pursuing an MBA. While different schools of thought paint different pictures in this regard, work experience before MBA does add substantial value to your basket. But before you set your perspective, have a look at the pros of having work experience in your court.

1. It defines your career path

Freshly graduated students rarely have a defined career path, straight out of college. Most of them prefer to work for a year or two to figure out what suits them the best. It is often after two or three job switches when they finally come face to face with their passion and decide the field they are cut out for. While professionals are most likely to make drastic career transitions in their early years, pursuing an MBA after relevant work experience helps them take better, informed decisions. Giving a better idea of the corporate world, the work environment speaks about the loopholes, the possible areas of improvement along with the path you need to tread to climb the rungs of your career ladder.

2. The edge you get with work experience

Professionals having work experience prior to pursuing an MBA develop pertinent skill-sets, thus improving their abilities of resourcefulness and taking initiatives. With an insight into the intricacies of work-life, they get more responsible. In addition to a better understanding of the corporate realm, such candidates learn to analyze situations practically. Where MBA programs largely rely on classroom participation and case studies, work experience helps you make the most of the course. They know how to connect practical knowledge with that of theoretical lessons. This link between the real world and theory is what sets MBA apart from all the other courses.

3. The B-School requirement

While it might primarily be your choice to work after graduation or pursue an MBA, a few prestigious institutes categorically mention the requirement of work experience before enrolling in the course. Even though colleges don’t explicitly hint at the necessity of work ex, candidates who previously have worked in some organization have an upper edge over the others. AICTE recently added icing to the cake, with a weightage of 5% to the selection process for students having work experience. It also adds value to your candidature if in case your academics are low. So, just in case you’ve been evaluating the pros and cons, this might be a huge reason for you to step into the corporate arena before prepping yourself for MBA.

4. Improved career prospects

For professionals having significant work experience, pursuing an MBA can help you step up in your career, helping you get hired for top-level management roles. Whereas, candidates fresh out of college will most likely be offered roles in entry-level positions. This is one reason why students in India and abroad are advised to gain experience of 3-5 years before opting to pursue an MBA. It not only improves the credibility of your application but also helps you link classroom study with that of the real world.

The word "very" might sum up the entire article for you. The question is still applicable though: Should you have work experience before pursuing an MBA? In the truest terms, it depends on your candidature, how effective your credentials are and how well your academics speak for you. If your application outshines that of everybody else, you might as well go for an MBA immediately after graduation. In short, to be or not to be is never the question. All that you really need to know is what suits you the best; everything else will follow. All the best!