If Not MBA, Then What? Exploring Student's Preferred Postgraduate Routes from Shiksha's Poll
When we think of pursuing PG courses in India, an MBA course instantly comes to mind. There are many options other than an MBA course like PGDM or other management courses master's in Finance (MFM) or in data science.
To understand this, Shiksha.com has conducted a poll, which has the following results:
- Poll at a Glance:
- Financial Planning
- “Others” Category
- Event Management
- Mass Communication
- Final Thoughts
Poll at a Glance:
For keeping the above poll in mind, let's understand what these pointers means, the scope and how they compare or related to older MBA course -
Financial Planning
The poll results show that a majority of students prefer financial planning as a PG route over MBA as India’s financial services are growing rapidly.
What is Financial Planning?
Financial Planning is the process of managing money or making financial plans to achieve your personal life goals,.
Why Students are Choosing It
- High Demand for Finance Experts
- Lucrative Career Options
- Alternative to MBA in Finance
- Global Recognition
“Others” Category
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.
22% of students chose “Others”, which shows how broad postgraduate aspirations have become.
Popular Courses Under “Others”
- Data Analytics & Business Analytics
- Digital Marketing
- Psychology
- Law
- M.Ed or Teacher Training Courses
- Fine Arts / Creative Arts
Why Students Choose “Others”
- They want fulfill their career goals by their own way.
- Rise of top industries like EdTech, gaming, creative design and social media.
- Many courses offer faster entry into the job market compared to a 2-year MBA.
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. PG courses like MBA in Event Management or PG Diploma in Event Management & PR are popular.
Why Students are Choosing It
- Creative Career
- High Demand
- Diverse Roles
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?
Retail Management is the process of managing the plan, execution of all activities related to selling of products.
Why Students are Choosing It
- Booming Industry
- E-commerce Growth
- Fast Promotion
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.
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.
Final Thoughts
Candidates can see the final thoughts below:
- 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.
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