Importance of specialised MBA programmes for future-proofing careers

As the job market evolves with changing business landscapes and technological disruptions, gaining domain-specific expertise becomes essential for students to stand out and future-proof their careers.

Written by Guest

March 9, 2024 15:18 IST

There are many advantages of choosing a specialised MBA course over a generic management degree.

By Anup Sasidharan

In a competitive job market, obtaining a management degree has become crucial for a successful career. A recent report disclosed that India witnessed substantial growth in the employability of management graduates, rising from 47% in 2021 to 60% in 2023. However, as the job market evolves with changing business landscapes and technological disruptions, gaining domain-specific expertise becomes essential for students to stand out and future-proof their careers. Here, opting for a specialised MBA programme over a generic management course thus becomes essential as it not only enhances employability but also enables students to capitalise on emerging opportunities in different fields, paving the way for a successful career.

There are many advantages of choosing a specialised MBA course over a generic management degree. Firstly, it provides students with targeted expertise to meet the evolving demands of the business world. With these programs, students not just delve deeply into specific industries or functional areas but also enhance their skills and knowledge to become highly competitive experts in their chosen fields.

Notably, specialised MBA courses benefit students by enabling them to tap into the potential of high-potential or high-growth industries. For instance, the sports industry is projected to reach US $100 billion by 2027, creating over 1 lakh jobs in the esports industry in India alone in FY 23. Similarly, India’s luxury market is expected to reach US $200 billion by 2030. Specialised MBA graduates, due to their targeted expertise, develop a profound understanding of industry intricacies, making them assets to organisations seeking professionals who can drive innovation and solve industry-specific challenges in these specific high-potential areas, building rewarding careers.

Another advantage of opting for a specialised MBA is that students get to translate their passion towards a specific industry like sports, fashion, or even the latest technologies like AI into successful careers. Specialised MBA courses offer a tailored curriculum focused on the specific interests of students willing to gain expertise in particular industries, supporting them in developing in-demand skills and equipping students with practical insights. This approach shifts the focus from traditional methods to a tailored one, empowering learners to navigate the intricacies of their chosen fields confidently.

Since fostering a collaborative approach and exchanging ideas and knowledge is essential to gain practical and industry-specific knowledge, networking opportunities in specialised MBA programs allow students to interact with peers who share similar career aspirations, creating a valuable professional network that extends beyond graduation. The programs actively assist students in building a robust network with industry stakeholders through projects, guest lectures, and industrial visits, encouraging them to seek and seize opportunities to collaborate with the industry, opening doors to potential career opportunities.

Specialised MBA programs often offer opportunities for global exposure, allowing students to gain insights into international business practices. This exposure, with courses designed by international faculty and immersion trips, provides invaluable knowledge to help students in a world where businesses operate on a global scale. Students can benefit from diverse perspectives, cultural understanding, and networking with professionals from different parts of the world, enhancing their ability to navigate the complexities of the global business environment.