Insights and reflections from my Executive MBA journey

During my undergraduate days, I remember watching my peers spend significant time preparing for competitive examinations that could land them an admission in some of the best management schools of the country and abroad. I too, briefly attempted this preparation but quickly lost motivation just after four weeks of cramming practice questions.

After another 4 weeks of introspection, I realized that I lacked the motivation, simply because I did not see a point pursuing an MBA back then.? In fact, I did not find motivation or meaning in pursuing any further studies – MS, MBA or M-Tech. Of course, that did not stop me from spending my parent’s hard-earned money on signing up for private tuitions, reading materials, mock tests and exam fee. Finally, I completed my graduation, believing in the power of learning through doing and experimentation. So, I took a job right after my graduation.

It took me about 10 years after graduation and some unconventional career choices, to finally understand what I wanted to study and why. I am very glad I pursued an Executive MBA.

There are numerous articles online, discussing different perspectives on pursuing an MBA—whether executive or regular. In this article, I share my insights and opinions based on my experience with an Executive MBA, specifically the Indian School of Business’s PGPPro program. However, the insights I share here, I believe, are relevant to any Executive MBA program.

Choosing the right MBA program

Firstly, in my opinion, an MBA program doesn't teach much content that isn't already available online. However, the program's structured and time-tested approach organizes the content logically, curating the required knowledge components to keep learners relevant in the job market and provide the foundations to understand how businesses operate. It's important to note that different institutes have varied focuses in their MBA programs; one might emphasize finance, while another might prioritize marketing or operations management. So, it is important to understand the curricular structure of the MBA program one is considering.

Secondly, I do not think that MBA programs are designed to make the learner an expert in any one field. Instead, the right MBA program is designed to offer a broad overview of various disciplines, such as marketing, finance, supply chain, economics, statistics, and product management among others. The approach to the topics of discussion, is predominantly focused on laying the necessary foundations to enable lifelong self-study, which is where I think, the true value unlocking of an MBA really happens. It is important to understand that the MBA program itself, without the self-study component, doesn't prepare one for specific industry or leadership positions right away. There is no "magic wand"!!!

Finally, I have experienced that an MBA enhances one’s social capital by providing an opportunity to study and grow with diverse group of peers from varied fields of study and work experiences. This diversity might often include perspectives not encountered before, which I believe is one of the most valuable aspects of an MBA. For this reason, I don't recommend pursuing MBA programs that are entirely delivered online. So, whichever program one chooses to enroll, it is important to pick the right tribe to learn and thrive together.

In summary, when choosing an MBA program and business school, I believe the three most important factors to evaluate are the curricular structure, the diversity of topics covered, and the diversity of the peer group. The best way to gather this information is to speak with someone who has completed the program one is considering in the recent past.

Executive vs. Regular MBA

The next big question, especially for those with work experience, is which format is better—executive or regular?

If one can afford the opportunity cost of not earning for two years and have the flexibility in personal life to dedicate two full years, I think doing a regular, full-time MBA is completely worth it. The reason is straightforward: despite the hours one might spend on partying and browsing through the internet, the opportunity to spend more focused time on topics, increasing the rigor, at least on topics of interest, holds significantly higher value than in a part time MBA.

However, like me, if one gains the clarity to pursue an MBA only after about ten years of work experience, by which time a full-time MBA might not be an option (as it wasn’t for me), an Executive MBA is a fantastic choice. But it does come with its challenges:

1. Balancing Act: One must juggle work, family, and the program's demands. This requires support from their manager, family, and maintaining their health. Personally, the first two months were tough as I struggled to find a routine. But everything eventually fell into place, as it did for most of my peers.
2. Passion (a.k.a clarity) is Key: Many Executive MBA programs do not offer placement support, and even if they do, significant salary jumps are not guaranteed. With a variety of programs available, ranging from ?5 lakhs to ?40 lakhs in tuition fees and offered in different formats—hybrid, online only, offline only, full-time, part-time, weekend only—it’s hard to predict what employers value and what the potential monetary benefits would be. Therefore, it's crucial to be clear on the “why” and “where” aspect of doing an MBA. This clarity I believe, will bring the passion needed to approach the program with rigor and seriousness, which might help land a better job and financial benefits.
3. Contextualizing Concepts: While the content, reading material, and classroom lectures provide general perspectives applicable to various contexts and industries, one needs to spend significant time, at least on topics of interest, connecting theory to their specific context and industry. Having spent nine years in the education sector when I began my program, the content discussed and analyzed in class had some immediate connection to my field. But I had to spend a significant time on my own, reflecting on the connections to my sector and my day-to-day life. I also had to build a small network of go-to mentors to support me with this process. This I believe, is one of the hardest, yet important aspects to keep in mind, because this step holds the key to unlocking value from the MBA program.
4. Building Social Capital: Most Executive MBA programs, with few exceptions, are part-time by design, meaning the time one spends face-to-face with their peers is very minimal. This requires dedicated time and efforts to form an effective and strong peer group for discussing, debating, and deliberating on topics from varied perspectives. Outside the peer group of the program, it is even more important to build a network of peers, mentors and experts with whom one can spend time discussing and deliberating on the new learnings and understanding how that learning can be contextualized to their respective industry and context.

In conclusion, doing an Executive MBA is a serious commitment physically, mentally and financially. It is worth it, if done from some of the top institutions, that offer relevant curricular structure that enhances one’s knowledge and experience in their context and industry. It is no easy decision, and no amount of information can prepare someone to take this decision. But taking a structured approach to digesting the available information can make the decision-making process a little bit easier.

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With that, I wish everyone reading this article all the very best in pursuing your MBA journey and expanding your knowledge and capabilities!!! Feel free to ping me on LinkedIn and I am happy to help in any way I can.