In the times before the MBA, the apprenticeship model was the standard. However, with the emergence of MBA programs at institutions like ESCP, Paris, Wharton, and Harvard in the 1900s, the focus shifted towards meeting the demands of the rapidly industrializing world and keeping pace with technological advancements. The keyword became 'efficiency', with the principles of Taylor's time and motion study and industrial engineering forming the foundation.
As the MBA program has evolved over time, it's easy to become complacent once you secure a spot in a top-tier institute. However, the world today is starkly different from the past. Jobs have evolved, and so have the requisite skills. The realization that no single individual possesses the entire skill set needed to solve complex problems has led to an appreciation of collaboration.
So, what are the three things you can do as you embark on your MBA journey?
- Embrace Technology: You can't delegate technological thinking. Sure, you'll have access to resources, but today's mindset must incorporate technology from the get-go. Whether it's business analytics, AI, data science, or machine learning, you should strive to excel in it. Numerous reports indicate a shift in job profiles, with over 30% of jobs integrating technology.
- Develop Soft Skills: As the demand for hard skills increases, so does the need for soft skills to develop solutions using them. Collaboration and communication have never been more crucial. It's hard to imagine a job tailored for introverts! Collaboration requires give-and-take, ego shedding, and role-playing as per the opportunity at hand. Listening, a sub-component of communication, is also vital. Here's a tip: try to be part of a different team for every project during your MBA. It's an excellent way to contribute, work together, learn, fail, and experience.
- Make Internships Count: Your internships are invaluable. Use them to create a lasting impression. The key is to amass sponsors during your internship by demonstrating the right commitment, work ethic, and attitude.
- ESG, like technology, will permeate the organization and function as a horizontal capability. Every company is working on ESG solutions. Volunteering in this area and understanding its application in your chosen specialization is beneficial.
- India's soft and hard power are on the rise. Many startups are burgeoning here. You will be expected to be a global professional managing teams across geographies and cultures.
- Network extensively within your batch, college, and outside. LinkedIn offers a great opportunity to stay updated in your areas of interest. Don't always resort to social media for meeting or talking to someone.
- Successful leaders believe in and practice inclusion. Inclusion is not diversity! It's about listening to other viewpoints irrespective of the origin and acknowledging the good ones. It's about creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to voice their opinion. The best way to be inclusive? Share your insights and knowledge liberally.
- In the past, staying in one company/industry was the norm. This model is obsolete. Loyalty started dwindling as soon as the pandemic set in. You may have to run short sprints in different industries and roles. But you should do your best in each role and in each company. Challenge the status quo and don't bow down to mediocrity. It's okay to fail, but not for not having tried to give your best!
- Contemplate entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs contribute significantly to the economy.
- Success and failure are part of life, so learn to be resilient. Think of your career as short bursts of achievement/success before you move on. People have tended to shy away from tough jobs, people want easy roles. Tough jobs are a privilege as they test your limits.
- Research shows that the more you give, the more you get. Contribution creates trust and develops a good ecosystem. Help other people. Help institutions. Help your state. Help your country. Measure your value by how much you have helped. Ask yourself if you have the respect of your peers.
- Develop some hobbies. Life is not only about your work but being with and caring for your loved ones and spending time in those activities that you like.
Learn to be a multi-dimensional person who is ready to give more in order to learn and contribute more. Keep the ego down and play the most suitable role the team demands in a given situation.
