Not Ready for an MBA? Here Are 10 Alternative Options

6 mins read24.3K Views 2 Comments

Assistant Manager- Editorial

Updated on Sep 12, 2024 12:31 IST

Not ready for an MBA degree after completing BBA? Finding difficult in choosing between further education and career? Here are 10 alternative options apart from MBA that candidates can opt for.

After finishing Bachelors in Business Administrations (BBA) programme, several students may find it difficult to choose between further education and a career. The confusion increases while opting for higher education degrees. Among the several available options, Masters in Business Administration (MBA) is the most popular. There is no doubt about the fact that after BBA, MBA is the best choice. BBA inculcates base knowledge of the business world while MBA provides more elaborate knowledge in the same field along with specialization. But not everyone is ready to follow the trend. Some candidates try to find something different of equal or higher value. Here in, candidates try to explore programmes that can help strive their dreams. Embarking on an MBA journey can be a significant commitment, both financially and time-wise. However, if you're not ready for an MBA, don't worry—there are 10 alternative options to advance your career, enhance your skills, and achieve your professional goals.

Also Read: Top 10 BBA Colleges in India

10 Alternative Options (apart from MBA) After BBA

Candidates not willing to pursue MBA after BBA can explore the other 10 options apart from MBA to pursue:

1. Professional Certification

Professional certifications offer specialised knowledge and are often more affordable and less time-consuming compared to MBA programme. Some popular certifications include:

Course Name	Institute	Duration	Eligibility & Selection process
CRISIL Certified Analyst Programme (CCAP)	CRISIL Ltd.	Two years	Bachelor’s degree with atleast 55% aggregate Selection is done through CCAP Aptitude Test
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)	CFA Institute	Minimum three years	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline Work experience of 4,000 hours or not less than three years at the time of registration

2. Industry Specific Training Programs

Many industries offer specialized training programs tailored to their unique needs. For instance, tech professionals can pursue coding bootcamps or software development courses, while healthcare professionals might explore medical coding or health informatics programs. These programs are often shorter and more focused than an MBA. Check some of the other courses in the table below:

Course Name	Institute	Duration	Eligibility & Selection process
Executive Program in Applied Finance	Indian Institute of Management Calcutta	1 Year	Graduation/Post Graduation with minimum of 50% aggregate with at least 2 year work experience Candidates are selected through Program Aptitude Test (PAT) conducted by NIIT and IIM Calcutta
Master in Financial Management (MFM)	Institute of Management & Computer Sciences, Allana Institute of Management Sciences, Amity Colleges of Commerce & Finance, Banaras Hindu University, etc.	2 years	Minimum 50% aggregate in graduation + 2 years of work experience (exceptional) Selection is done through Test/Personal Interview
Masters in Management Studies(MMS)	SIES College of Management Studies, Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Vivekanand Education Society's Institute of Management Studies and Research, etc.	2 Years	Graduates in any discipline with atleast 50% aggregate Test/Group Discussions/ Personal Interview
Masters in Retail Management	IILM Institute for Higher Education, ACE Business School Pune, Amity Centre for e - Learning, Noida, etc.	2 Years	Graduation completed in any discipline with minimum of 50% aggregate Test/ Personal Interview/ Merit list
Master Of Marketing Management (MMM)	Pune University, Mumbai University, Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship Education (SIMSREE), to name a few.	3 Years/ 2 years	Graduation with practical knowledge/ work experience/ Project Work Selection is done through Written test/ Personal Interview
MA Economics	Rajiv Gandhi University, Goa University, University of Kashmir, Barkatullah University, jadavpur University	2 years	Graduates with 45% - 50% aggregate. However, a few top colleges demand students to have studied economics as one of the main subject in graduation Candidates are selected on the basis of their marks in graduation and entrance test
Post-Graduation Diploma in Risk Management/ Life Insurance/ General Insurance/ Actuarial Science	Institute of Insurance and Risk Management	1 Year, correspondence	Graduation with minimum of 50% aggregate Test/ Personal Interview
Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application (PGDCA)	Gauhati University, Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL), University of Pune, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, etc.	1 year	Graduate in any discipline with Maths, Physics or Computer Science as compulsory subject in Class 12 or in graduation Candidates are selected for the programme based on their merit
Post Graduate Program in International Management	Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, SP Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai, International Management Institute, Delhi, etc.	2 Years	Graduates in any discipline and for some institutes specialisation in International Management is required Test/ Personal Interview/ Group Discussion

3. Online Courses

Massive Open Online Courses and other online courses provide flexibility and a wide range of topics that candidates can pursue after BBA. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer courses from prestigious universities and companies. Subjects range from data science and digital marketing to leadership and entrepreneurship. Many of these courses come with certificates that can bolster a candidate's resume.

Also Read: Difference between BBA followed by MBA vs Integrated (BBA+MBA) degree

4. Professional Networking and Conferences

Building a strong professional network is crucial for career growth. Attending industry conferences, seminars, and workshops can help you stay updated on industry trends, meet potential mentors, and open doors to new opportunities. Many events also offer certification credits and hands-on training sessions.

5. Entrepreneurship and Startups

If a candidate has a business idea or a passion for innovation, starting their venture can be a rewarding alternative. Entrepreneurship offers hands-on experience in managing a business, from product development and marketing to finance and operations. Even if the venture doesn’t succeed, the skills and knowledge gained can be invaluable.

6. Advanced Degrees in Specialized Fields

Pursuing a master's degree in a specialized field can be an alternative to an MBA. Degrees such as a Master of Science in Finance, Marketing, or Data Analytics provide in-depth knowledge and can lead to high-level positions within specific industries. These programs are often more targeted and can be completed in a shorter time frame.

7. Freelancing

Freelancing allows candidates to work independently and gain diverse experience across various projects and industries. This path can enhance skills, expand your professional network, and offer the flexibility to work on projects that interest the candidate. In freelancing the candidate gets to choose the work, rate and working hours.

8. Volunteer Work and Nonprofits

Volunteering for nonprofit organizations can develop leadership skills, provide project management experience, and broaden your perspective. Working with nonprofits can also expand your network and potentially lead to paid opportunities. Additionally, it offers a way to give back to the community while gaining valuable experience.

9. On Job Experience

Candidates can join part-time jobs or internships to gain experience in a relevant field in which they have specialised. On job, experience will help candidates gain insights and develop skills and career opportunities without pursuing a formal degree.

10. Learn a Foreign language

If a candidate is interested in travelling around the world, he/she can learn a foreign language. The classes for language a conducted for two to four hours in a day. Learning a foreign language can give an advantage to candidates over competitors to rely on translators.

Read More:

Company Secretary (CS) Course

About the Author

Shruti Garg

Assistant Manager- Editorial

Shruti is a graduate in Education and Literature. She is a passionate writer. As her name suggests she is a good listener, a binge-watcher, and a great foodie. She loves playing badminton and doing meditation in her... Read Full Bio

Comments

(2)

alena

4 years ago

Report Abuse

Great list! You should also check out Future London Academy's Executive Programme taught by leaders at Amazon, Google, Facebook and other top companies ????http://bit.ly/2Ic3CLX It would make perfect additions to your list! Only real knowledge and experience. ????

Reply to alena