- Introduction
- Why an Online MBA?
- 5 Surprises of Online MBA
- Questions to consider while choosing a Program
- Wrapping up
Introduction
To MBA, or not to MBA?
This is the dilemma of every professional in today’s growing economy. An online MBA program, especially from a prestigious business school, provides you with a slew of benefits. It is a rewarding undertaking with excellent prospects.
Recently, there is a rise in the demand for a well-trained and highly educated workforce in the market. Companies are looking for MBA graduates who can help them maximize their profit through their academic achievements, professional skills, and experience.
Why an Online MBA?
An online MBA allows students to create a course schedule that fits their personal and professional obligations. Business schools have become sensitive to student’s needs and have made it easier for them to learn concepts by following a co-learning ecosystem. Some of them also offer mentorship and counseling for learners from the beginning till the end of the course.
According to Poets&Quants student satisfaction survey, 38.7% of the graduates said they got promoted at work as a direct result of their participation in an online MBA program.
Considering the positive outcomes from the survey, we can conclude that graduates are satisfied with their online MBA experience. Has this induced your yearning to know what more an Online MBA can offer? Do not stop; keep reading.
5 Surprises of Online MBA Program
1. Strong Sense of Belonging
People usually believe that learning remotely entails being alone. However, universities have worked on their learning platforms and offer fantastic possibilities to stay active with the cohort through formal and casual meetings.
According to Poets&Quants, 79% of graduates were able to establish a network by pursuing an online MBA program.
Informal virtual events allow students to connect and create a positive atmosphere to encourage bonding. It provides an excellent networking opportunity and results in diverse friendships.
2. Experiential Learning
In online programs, most people expect assignments to be individual tasks. But, interactive online programs nowadays offer an eclectic mix of collaborative team-based projects. These projects are helpful because they reflect a wide range of job-related issues.
Learners can apply the course takeaways to their existing roles that might result in appraisals. More than half (52.8%) of those surveyed in the Poets&Quants survey stated that pursuing an Online MBA degree raised their earnings. On the other hand, continual access to course material and recorded lectures augment a student’s learning process.
3. Lots of Interaction
Many online MBA program applicants express concern about the possibility of having a bond with classmates and professors in a program, apart from little (if any) face-to-face interaction. On a scale of 1-10, online MBA graduates gave an 8.16 to ‘Access to Opportunities’ to form bonds with their classmates. For online learning programs, that’s quite impressive.
As the students need to constantly collaborate with their teammates and fellow learners to accomplish capstone projects and assignments, the learning environment fosters generous interaction. Also, there are plenty of discussions that go on in a virtual classroom with the professors and students. As a result, learners get an opportunity to engage in well-known international programs and gain relevant experience.
4. Aligns with Real-world Business Practices
The online learning format of MBA is designed to simulate a real-time business environment. It raises the stakes for students to be well-organized, presentable, and ready for participation in weekly webinar classes. It also necessitates a high level of organization as well as the ability to use the management tools effectively.
Few colleges also have virtual start-up weekends/business simulations as a part of their course in which students work in groups to develop a product from concept to crowdfunding pitch in 48 hours. Such an experience aids in transforming the perspective on creativity, entrepreneurship, and your strengths – all online!
5. Faculty Support
Even though lectures are pre-recorded, professors go above and beyond to ensure that students receive the best possible education. From offering extensive written comments on projects to meeting students on calls or video chats to examine the content, they do everything in their capacity to help students.
Some of the programs have professors who are always willing to assist and provide answers. They always provide continuous help and prompt responses to inquiries to aid learning.
Questions to consider while choosing a Program
Before you apply for a program, it’s understandable that you’d like to know about the institute’s reputation, the cost of the course, the quality of education, and access to an alumni network. Apart from this, keep in mind that the institution is government accredited and meets your online education criteria.
You can consider the following questions to see if an institute fits your criteria:
- Are there any opportunities to network with peers or alumni?
- Are the classes taught by on-campus faculty or by online-only teachers?
- Do you have access to student services such as the financial aid office or career support?
- Are the classes pre-recorded or are they delivered in real-time?
- How do the graduation and employment rates at the school look?
- Who is in charge of grading the assignments?
Wrapping up
An online MBA program will equip you to deal with the uncertainty of the world. It will help you prepare for opportunities that might come your way after the pandemic.
No wonder why there’s a rise (67%) in enrollments in online MBA programs (according to GMAC 2020). Do you also want to grab this chance? Then get enrolled in the Executive PG Program in Management offered by Great Learning. This program is designed keeping in mind the requirements of working professionals and allows you to work on real-world projects under the guidance of industry experts. Register now!
