Should you pursue MBA after engineering? Weighing the Pros and Cons

Engineering is one of the toughest career paths that demands multiple hours of dedication. One needs to dive deep into the technical aspects of the subjects to master the particular field. But is an undergraduate degree enough to get a dream job and required career opportunities or should one explore pursuing an MBA after engineering? 

Every engineering graduate faces this dilemma. Engineering provides the candidate with foundational knowledge of the particular subject one has chosen to excel. But there are multiple skills that recruiters look for along with the technical know-how and having a good way with the subject. MBA bridges that gap by enlightening the candidates about the various dynamic aspects of the corporate world. The case study competitions and the comprehensive curriculum helps in the overall development of the candidate.

But is this diversion from technical aspects of science to MBA worth it? Is the ROI on an MBA worth it? Here we are evaluating the pros and cons of an MBA after engineering -

Benefits of pursuing an MBA after engineering

The Intrinsic value of business

Engineers have mastered the technicalities with an unflinching ability to solve dynamic problems in their respective fields. An MBA after engineering acts as an addendum to the existing know-how of the candidates. It helps them get an innate understanding of the language of business. 

The logical thinking of an engineer gets accompanied by exquisite management capabilities via an MBA. For every 100 down in the trenches engineer, there’s a need for a management consultant who could guide the business activities of an engineering-centric firm. Through MBA you will be able to act as a link between them.

Right time for Right degree

Many candidates are excellent in their particular jobs and fields but the market conditions become unfavourable. The downsizing, poor market conditions and sudden layoffs especially in such grim times of Covid-19 adversely affect the careers of the engineering graduates. In such tough times, MBA after engineering seems to be the silver lining, and many reputable institutions now offer an online MBA with no GRE requirements.

These difficult circumstances make it practically the best time to pursue an MBA. If one’s industry is on the verge of a breakthrough or one is encountering a lack of advanced management experience among their peers, seeking an MBA will be a way to sustain in the industry. It will give job security and career advancement opportunities.

Means to switch careers 

If any candidate is looking to switch his career, MBA after engineering is the best shot for him. Many times a candidate realises that the chosen career path is not appropriate as per their aspirations. MBA can provide them the right discretion to change the path.

If a candidate is looking to go into fields of finance, analytics, commercial real estate or Fortune 500 management or corporate consulting, an MBA could help them make the transition easier towards their ultimate goal.

Drawbacks of pursuing an MBA after engineering 

Expensive opportunity

Even though it gives a great boost to one’s resume, its high costs cannot be ignored. MBA after engineering would simply mean spending around 20-25 lakhs of money on its fees (except government-affiliated institutes) and forgoing the salary that one could have earned if they have bagged a high paying job during campus recruitments. 

And if one is aspiring for an executive MBA, then it requires a 10 years work experience. Before enrolling into any MBA programme, one must take into account the opportunity costs of an MBA.

Not all MBAs give a boost to your career 

MBA after engineering is worth it if you are pursuing the right course from one of the renowned institutes of the country. 

It is not a piece of cake to secure a seat at one of the top MBA institutes of the country. It requires not only extensive hard work but it will also cost the candidate a huge sum of money to pay the fees. 

Not necessarily a prerequisite

Not always does an MBA degree give a major boost to one’s career. It must be very well understood that it is not mandatory to pursue an MBA to rise at the top of the success ladder. 

Education and practical knowledge are important but the experience is irreplaceable. Pursuing an MBA right after the engineering job or dropping out from a current working position would also mean losing an opportunity to gain more experience and insight into that particular area. So, the candidate must take the decision carefully.

The two sides of the coin are now revealed and one must make an informed and judicious decision by properly weighing the pros and cons.

If you liked this article, here’s a list of a few other articles that might pique your interest -

• MBA resources that everybody swears by! - Dare2Compete
• 6 Best Ways To Enhance Your MBA Career With Corporate
• The subtle art of not giving up in order to convert MBA interviews -By Nitesh Singh from IIFT Kolkata
• 5 MBA specializations that will be in demand post the pandemic
• The go-to industries for MBAs to work for in 2020