Shiksha Opinion: The better choice for engineering students - MBA or MS abroad?

While the JEE season is on, I thought it would be the perfect time to understand the ambitions of engineering students. IITs being the premier institutes in India, still do not find a place in the top engineering colleges in the world. Yet the demand for engineers of Indian origin remains high, as far as employment opportunities in foreign countries are concerned. To get a grasp of what motivates a student to study or work abroad, we first need to understand the typical career path of an engineer.

Related reads

• How Medha made the Decision between Pursuing MBA and MS: Shiksha Success Stories
• 5 Best countries to study MBA abroad
• 5 Best countries to study MS abroad

Amit Jain, director, Scholars Abroad Consulting says, “In my opinion, MS courses or MBA courses abroad adopt a practical approach towards studies that helps a student to look out for real-life solutions rather than theoretical ones”. He further adds, “Through a recognized international degree a student can gain access to job opportunities in other countries that would otherwise not have been possible through a degree in his/her home country.”

Typically, a student after finishing his B.Tech from a premier college has two options to consider; either to continue his education or to enter the job arena. Of course, the ultimate goal of every student is to get employed, but the course of that journey is different for everyone. The options open to students after finishing B.Tech are:

1. Go for MS immediately
2. Work for some years and then apply for MS
3. Opt for MBA from India (with or without work experience)
4. Work for some years and then consider MBA abroad (or without work experience)

Those who are willing to wait a few years, try and get placed after B.Tech, and work for three to four years to ultimately apply at some premier international B-school. They manage to get crucial work experience, plus the savings from the job help in self-funding their further studies. Some schools even offer MBA without work experience. Read: Top Countries to Study MBA without Work Experience

Work experience isn’t necessary for pursuing MS. One doesn’t need to wait after B.Tech and can apply immediately to any premier college. That is the popular trend among students, but there are some who choose to work for one or two years before continuing with their education. The reasons are again primarily financial, as students want to have a safety net in place.

Further reading

• How to write an SOP for MBA Program versus an MS Program
• Study Abroad: Difference between MBA and MSc in Management?
• What is the difference between MS Business Analytics and MBA?

A close friend once mentioned that there is no right or wrong choice between MS and MBA. It’s all about the personal inclination of a student. Those who want to specialise in a particular field will go for an MS. Those who are looking for faster career advancement go for an MBA. In the corporate world, it is really difficult to get hold of a managerial position without an MBA degree. This is the reason why many people take a sabbatical from their high-paying jobs; to get higher-paying jobs.

A colleague of mine had a different take on this. In her circle, most have opted for an MS as it’s more affordable and the scholarships are easily obtainable. The same can’t be said for MBA which is one of the most expensive courses in all the countries, and the scholarships are highly competitive. I agree with this thought process where students are more focused on input and investments. An MS would be a better option in such a case. Saying this, I also know a few people who focus more on the output; a better-paying job and increased career mobility. MBA is the course of choice for this school of thought.

Another way of comparing these two degrees is that a student holding an MS degree may still require an MBA if he’s looking to hold a managerial post, whereas, a student with an MBA may not necessarily need an MS.

The more we delve into the topic, the clearer the realization we have that the better choice is the one which is in sync with the career map of the student. For someone with academic inclinations, MS is the best option; and if the aim is to quickly climb the corporate ladder, then MBA is the best option.

Additional Readings:

Life in a US campus: What is it like to do an MS or PhD?

Study in the US: Best Alternatives to an MBA Degree

12 Most Affordable MS colleges in the US