Employable Skills for Future MBAs

MBA is one of the top professional programs in the world. But some of the most sought after management programs are those that imbibe employable skills. By Prof. Sanghamitra Buddhapriya

In his book “Employability in higher education: what it is –what it is not” author Mantz Yorke describes employable as “a set of achievements – skills, understandings and personal attributes – that makes graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations, which benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy.” Make no mistake; employable is of course about getting a job, but if you think hard enough- it goes way beyond that.

MBA is one of the top professional programs in the world. Besides theoretical knowledge of business strategies and skills it helps students with personality development, critical thinking, self-reliance, motivation and confidence. But some of the most sought after management programs are those that imbibe crucial employable skills amongst students. It not only boosts their placement prospects but has a long-term impact on their careers too.

Why employable skills matter:

• Yes, getting an MBA from a top B-School can boost your chances of getting placed with a top organization. But at the end of the day, you are going to be competing with several professionals with similar qualifications as you in your careers. It’s your employable skills that keep you relevant and competitive in the long run.
• Any corporate professional will tell you that professional life for managers is challenging, rewarding but often also in a state of flux. Your job responsibilities could change overnight. Employable skills are transferrable and help you adapt to different roles.
• You gain employable skills through a number of experiences in your MBA years. They could be through classroom learning, extra and co-curricular activities, being part of organizing committees for seminars, workshops, volunteering and more. They are thus huge value additions to your education.

Some of the key employable skills include:

• Leadership abilities, which are important for managers, team leaders and entrepreneurs alike. When you find yourself in any of these positions in your career, you need to lead from the front while bringing the best out of your employees. Management programs hone leadership skills by putting students in positions where they have to take charge.
• Persuasive communication skills are important for all future managers, irrespective of the career path they choose. You could be working in HR, Finance or Marketing. You will have to communicate your ideas with clients, teams as well as superiors. B Schools focus on effective communication skills, which hold you in good stead in your careers.
• Decision-making and evaluation skills are important for all managers. From analyzing financial situations to defining company policies and resolving issues; you will be put in different high-pressure situations. MBA teaches you to evaluate cases, analyze and make the best possible decisions for your organizations.
• Skills in the latest industry trends give you the competitive advantage. FORE School of Management - FSM offers certification programs in Big Data, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, etc. These are some of the powerful trends in the industry that are here to stay. Gaining skills in these fields boosts your credentials and offers you the edge.

Employable skills are not secondary to your MBA learning; they are an integral and important part of it.

About the Author

Dr. Sanghamitra Buddhapriya has more than 21 years of experience in research, teaching, training and consulting. She received the prestigious Shastri Indo-Canadian Fellowship and did her post-doctoral research from McMaster University, Canada. She has authored two books and published many research articles in referred national and international journals. Presently she is the Dean (Academics), Fore School of Management.