Part
Time MBA programs are structured to suit professionals who cannot afford to
quit their jobs in order to pursue the degree. They are available in various
universities across the world. The idea is to find the most suitable course. So
what are the advantages these courses have over full time courses? Are they
equally valued in the job market? Let us see who the suitable candidates for
part time MBA degree are.
You
might be working in a corporate organization and are aiming for a promotion. If
you have a Master's degree and your performance is satisfactory you are likely
to be considered over those who do not have the degree. You might want to
switch jobs but cannot take up a full time course to pursue the degree. You
might not be able to afford the fees of a full time MBA degree. There are so
many things that could drive you. Weigh the pros and cons of both before
reaching a decision.
If
you are taking up a part time course you can keep your job. That would ensure
that the funds keep coming. If you are already paying of an educational loan
this is sometimes the only option left. The thing about part time courses is
that they focus on the education side of the course and cannot really focus on
networking like full time programs. But, when you have a full time job you can
always apply whatever you are learning in a real job setting. You cannot
possibly learn so much in some training or internship.
Whether
you take a campus based or an online part time program is up to you completely.
While a full time program will take you 2 years to complete; it is often
observed that students take anything from 3 to 5 years to complete these
courses. That is usually because they have work and other personal commitments
to take care of. Thus, a lot of people who cannot devote all their time in
education and want to increase their educational qualification without having
to give up on their jobs take these courses up.
The
other advantage is also that the expense can be borne over a longer period of
time. Lots of companies actually fund their employees to pursue part time MBA
degree. Find out if you are working for such a company. Enquire about the
criteria that make you eligible for that. Pursuing a part time course along
with your job also reflects nicely on your career. Your employer will get the
impression that you are dedicated and motivated.
You
need to be committed to the course throughout. You should not let the fact that
you have no fixed time frame make you lose focus. Finding the right course is
also important. Consider all your options carefully. Evaluate the kind of
opportunities these part time MBA courses are providing before deciding to
invest. See if there are scholarship opportunities on the programs and if you
are eligible to apply.
