If Not MBA, Then What? Exploring Student's Preferred Postgraduate Routes from Shiksha's Poll
When we think of postgraduate studies in India MBA (Master of Business Administration) almost instantly comes to mind. For decades, MBA has been seen as the gold standard for career advancement, leadership roles and high-paying jobs. However, the education landscape is evolving rapidly. Students today have diverse interests, career goals and opportunities which is why many students are considering alternative postgraduate routes apart from MBA.
To understand this shift, Shiksha.com has conducted a poll, which has the following results:
- Poll at a Glance:
- Financial Planning
- “Others” Category
- Event Management
- Retail Management
- Mass Communication
- Final Thoughts
Poll at a Glance:
This data paints a fascinating picture of how career aspirations are diversifying in India. Let’s dive deep into what these results mean, the scope of each course and how they compare to the traditional MBA route.
Financial Planning
The poll results show that a majority of students prefer financial planning as a postgraduate route over MBA. This isn’t surprising, given how India’s financial services industry is growing at lightning speed.
What is Financial Planning?
Financial Planning is all about managing money wisely whether it is for individuals, families, or businesses. Courses like Certified Financial Planner (CFP), M.Com in Financial Services, or Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning and Wealth Management equip students with the skills to guide clients on investments, savings, taxation and retirement planning.
Why Students are Choosing It
- High Demand for Finance Experts: With rising disposable incomes, more people want professional advice on investments.
- Lucrative Career Options: Financial planners and wealth managers are among the top-paid professionals in India.
- Alternative to MBA in Finance: While MBA (Finance) is broad, financial planning is specialized, attracting students who want to go deep into this domain.
- Global Recognition: Certifications like CFP are internationally recognized.
Thus, financial planning appeals to students who want a direct, specialized route into finance without going through a generalist MBA program.
Hey retail management is basically different from basic management course but yet it is very interesting and has great scope for future career. So, yes it can be a great option to opt for. And you can have a look at the subjects of retail management i am giving below to get the idea of what actually there is in retail management course, It includes the following topics: Supply chain management. Marketing information. Finance management. Customer relationship. Business ethics. Retail brand management. Management and organizational behaviour. Quantitative methods in retailing.
The MBA in Event Management salary can range from INR 5 to 20 LPA, based on the experiences, roles and designations. There is potential of earning more than INR 30 LPA as well, if you are well known with industry tends and management skills.
Relevant Information:
CFA vs CFP: Which Should You Choose
How to get Admission into an MBA in Finance
“Others” Category
A surprising 22% of students chose “Others”, which shows how broad postgraduate aspirations have become. This category includes courses that weren’t listed but are gaining traction in recent years.
Popular Courses Under “Others”
- Data Analytics & Business Analytics (huge demand in IT, finance and retail)
- Digital Marketing (fastest-growing career field today)
- Psychology (expanding scope in mental health, counseling and HR)
- Law (LLM or Integrated Corporate Law)
- M.Ed or Teacher Training Courses for students passionate about education
- Fine Arts / Creative Arts for those inclined toward creativity
Why Students Choose “Others”
- They want career paths aligned with passion rather than just business.
- Rise of niche industries like EdTech, gaming, creative design and social media.
- Many courses offer faster entry into the job market compared to a 2-year MBA.
This shows that students are moving beyond traditional careers and embracing new-age, skill-driven opportunities.
Event Management
Event Management emerged as the third choice with 11% votes. The industry is booming with weddings, corporate launches, concerts and global expos.
What is Event Management?
It is the planning, execution and management of events from corporate conferences to grand weddings. Postgraduate courses like MBA in Event Management or PG Diploma in Event Management & PR are popular.
Why Students are Choosing It
- Creative Career: Perfect for those who enjoy planning, organizing and working in dynamic environments.
- High Demand: India’s wedding industry alone is worth $130 billion, creating a constant need for skilled event managers.
- Diverse Roles: Involves coordination, PR, sponsorship and brand management.
Event management is the go-to choice for students who want a creative, people-oriented and fast-paced career.
Retail Management
Retail is one of the largest industries in India and with the rise of e-commerce giants like Amazon, Flipkart and Reliance Retail, it is no surprise that 8% of students voted for Retail Management.
What is Retail Management?
It involves managing retail outlets, sales strategies and customer experiences. Courses like MBA in Retail Management or PG Diploma in Retail & Supply Chain Management prepare students for this field.
Why Students are Choosing It
- Booming Industry: India’s retail sector is expected to reach $260 billion by 2030.
- E-commerce Growth: Online shopping platforms need professionals for operations and logistics.
- Fast Promotions: Retail managers often climb the ladder quickly.
This is an excellent choice for students who want a blend of business, management and customer experience.
Mass Communication
Though it got the least votes (5%), Mass Communication remains a powerful career option for students passionate about media, journalism and storytelling.
What is Mass Communication?
It is the study of how information is communicated to large audiences through journalism, advertising, films, digital media and broadcasting. Postgraduate programs include MA in Mass Communication, MJMC (Master of Journalism & Mass Communication) and PG Diploma in Media Studies.
Why Students are Choosing It
- Passion for storytelling and creativity.
- Growing influence of digital media, OTT and social media platforms.
- Opportunities in both traditional and modern media.
Mass Communication attracts students who want to shape public opinion and build careers in media and content.
Final Thoughts
The Shiksha poll results reveal a big shift in student mindset:
- 54% students choosing Financial Planning shows that finance is no longer confined to MBAs it has its own specialized path.
- 22% students are choosing “Others” this highlights the rise of new-age, skill-based careers like data analytics, psychology and digital marketing.
- Event Management, Retail Management and Mass Communication though niche reflect how students want creative and industry-specific roles.
In today’s competitive world, success isn’t about just following the crowd it is about choosing the path that aligns with your skills, passion and career goals. MBA is still valuable, but it is not the only key to a great future. For the students who are wondering “If not MBA, then what?” this poll has already given the answer: Financial Planning, Event Management, Retail, Mass Communication and many more specialized fields are ready to shape tomorrow’s leaders.
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Pallavi is a graduate in BJMC which is popularly known as Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication with a strong passion for writing. She basically specializes in creating insightful and very well researched SE
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The degree that is seen to be best for a career in retail management often depends on a number of variables including your professional objectives, your personal interests and the particular jobs you hope to fill in the sector. The table below includes some degrees in Retail Management:
Name of Course
Average Salary (in INR)
Bachelor's degree in Retail Management
INR 7 Lacs to 12 lakh
Bachelor's Degree in Marketing
INR 2 Lacs to 6 lakh
Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Merchandising
INR 2 Lacs to 6 lakh
Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management
INR 3 Lacs to 5 lakh