Hi,
I have 5+ years of work experience in the field of software development at a product company. After that I decided to take a 1 -1.5 year break which got extended due to an injury and me exploring a few other fields(public policy, product management etc.). I am interviewing for software roles now as I think the work is fun but I have realised that it might not be a good career for me at a later stage.

I intend to work in India only, and hope to use this degree as a stepping stone to possibly working for the Indian government at a later stage in my career. Based on my research, an MBA is highly preferable for government-aligned organisations.

I have got offers from both the institutes for the online PGDM. While SPJIMR is a little more expensive(10 lakhs vs 8.95 lakhs at MDI), I believe it has an overall better brand.

So my 2 questions are:
1. How to decide between the 2? Should I look at which institute is better for which specialisation?
2. Also, I don't want to waste the online degree but want something concrete out of it. What are some ways I can do that apart from doing well in academics and networking? If I make some extra effort, is it possible to do research & publish a paper?

[Edited by lelouch_9 on Jul 20, 2024]

Take a look at https://find-mba.com/board/general-forum/iim-indore-master-of-management-studies-online-vs-spjimr-pgdm-online-72247

You can write a paper without an MBA, so you can certainly write a paper with one. MDI has a dissertation, so that's an easy way to approach that.

Thanks Duncan! Makes sense.

Do you suggest getting a job first and then starting the online MBA studies (these programs take admissions twice per year) or should I start the online MBA now instead of waiting?

My job interview preparation and MBA studies have zero overlap so the mental switch required to study multiple topics might cause burnout.

What would be your suggestion? Thanks.

Start the MBA now, unless you can take a full-time MBA (which would be better for your long term career goals).

Thanks Duncan. Any particular reason you think I should start now given I need to find a job as well?

You will have more time now than when you are in employment to start your studies. You want this degree and the next job as a stepping stone. So, the sooner you start the sooner you finish.

Did you consider the Jindal MA? https://www.coursera.org/degrees/ma-public-policy-jgu

Yes, your opinion makes sense. It is just that with my break if I start my MBA now, the recruiters might consider it a negative sign and they might think I will transition to a non-tech role soon after my MBA so might go against me in job interviews. This was reminded to me by an interviewer from one of the schools I applied to for PGDM online.

Yes, I did consider Jindal MA but I think an MBA will be a more general degree opening up more career paths in case I want to explore them in the future.

You would not have to tell potential employers about the MBA.

Oh.. I thought as classes could possibly sometimes clash with work, it would be best to be transparent. But let me check on it. If I don't have to then its great.

[Edited by lelouch_9 on Jul 22, 2024]

You can just tell them the dates when you won't be available: personal travel plans that have been already made with others.

Thanks Duncan!