Want to go for an MBA but don't have the time? Don't worry!

According to Charanpreet Singh, Associate Dean of Praxis Business School, one could opt for a good online or long distance MBA programme.What you need to do is check for the best institute offering these programmes.

These and other queries were answered by Charanjeet during a chat on March 21.

• An MBA: Always a wise choice?

For those who missed the chat, here's the transcript.

raj asked, hello sir I am an economics graduate and I completed my graduation in the year of 1994. I want to join mba through distance mode. Which university is best for me to join? Is that right choice if I take MBA in advertising?

Charanpreet answers Hi Raj, there are several options in distance mode in the US, Australia and Europe. As for the best one, I can't say. It all depends on your choice of specialisation and what you want to do after a Master of Business Administration. But if you wish to pursue a career in advertising, go for it!

vijay0509 asked, hi, this is Vijay, having 2 yrs of R & D experience. I wish to do MBA thru distance learning progr. Hws Symbiosis for the same?

Charanpreet answers, Hi Vijay, Symbiosis does run a distance learning course (correspondence) -- there are other options (online) as well -- what do you want to do the MBA in?

kavitha karthikeyan asked, I am BCom graduate, I want to do MBA which university is best, I want to do it in corros.

Charanpreet answers, Hi Kavitha, refer to the earlier two questions. Though I can't really prescribe the 'best' university, Phoenix, and OUA (Open University Australia) are two popular options. In addition, you may even look at online MBA and not just correspondence.

Nagaraj asked, I am working as Company Secretary with legal background. I would like to pursue 1 year MBA offered by IIM-A. Pl. advise the prospects with reference to my career.

Charanpreet answers, Hi Nagraj, the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad one-year course is top-notch, with great job prospects. You need to decide what you wish to use this MBA for.
 

dinesh asked, Hello, I have done inter CA and aged 32 years, can you help me to know how to join MBA course, which college and what will be fees, duration.

Charanpreet answers, Dear Dinesh, 32 is a good age to do an MBA. You could opt for a one or two year course. You will have to sit for entrance tests like CAT, XAT and GMAT to be eligible to apply. Fees range between Rs 19 lakhs at ISB to about Rs 5 to 6 lakhs at some other B-schools. There are several online courses if you wish to study from home.

vinod asked, hi, i have taken admission for mba in systems from Madras University correspondence, your comments?

Charanpreet answers, Hi Vinod, you have to make full use of the opportunity to learn.

prabhat asked, hi i am an electronics and comm engineer and am currently in first year MBA and i have to choose my specialisation in the next year. Which field should i chose. Which is the hot one nowdays and in future?

Charanpreet answers, Hi Prabhat, the 'hot' field for you is the field you wish to work in. Choose the filed that interests you and not 'hotness' of the salary. I have seen many people rue making decisions based on that.

Arun asked, Hi, I am working in Dubai. I would like to do mba course in Dubai. Is it possible to join mba here. Pls let me know regarding the courses fees and all other formalities.

Charanpreet answers, Hi Arun, I don't know much about B-schools in Dubai, except that SP Jain has a campus there.

amitkayem asked, I have 7 years experience but it is only in various Government organisations. My job is also not supervisory in nature. I have just appeared in IIMC GD and PI. I hope to make it to the final selection. Will working in government organisations adversely affect my chances of a career in management?

Charanpreet answers, Dear Amit, absolutely not. In fact it may actually help you as, to the best of my knowledge, administration in government organisations are quite complex, and experience in a supervisory role there would be helpful.

suresh asked, I am planning to do an Executive MBA just to enhance and add value to my career growth. Now I have 3 constraints-- time (part time) & which University, location (Pune only).

Charanpreet answers, Dear Suresh, you are a typical 'time-poor' working adult. The best option for you would be a good online MBA course. There are several options available and the quality of the programmes have improved considerably over the years.

Swamy asked, Hello Sir, I have 8yrs of experience in IT. Want to pursue my career further in management side. Would an MBA add value for the same.

Charanpreet answers, Dear Swamy, definitely especially if you choose the correct stream and best institute.

Raghavendra S asked, I am a Software Engineer with 3+ years of exp. I would like to go for MBA in correspondence. I can go for IGNOU of some other private Institutions. IGNOU saves money for me. Is it good to go with IGNOU sponsored MBA?

Charanpreet answers, Dear Raghavendra, Indira Gandhi National Open University is an option. But there are other options, albeit costlier ones that have better programs that could get you better openings. The money you spend for this course is an investment, so think carefully.

Ankur asked, hi,, this is Ankur. I hv done BCom and I wanna do mba. Plz can u tell me which university is better for distance learning

Charanpreet answers, Dear Ankur, first of all you need to be clear if distance education is right for you. I would recommend an online MBA from a US, Australian or European University.

chintu asked, hi...how do u rate the chances of doing an MBA after 5 years of law from a national law school in India?

Charanpreet answers, Hi Chintu, the chances are very good.  You must do it from a good college and make it count.

Suvdeep asked, I'm an engineering student, and will appear for CAT next to next year...I wanted to know how much importance is given to previous academic record if one clears the written test?

Charanpreet answers, Hi Suvdeep, my experience of interviewing students for Praxis Business School has shown that academic record does matter. If you are good, then all's fine. But if you aren't, then you will be grilled with academic questions.

Ashwini asked, Sir, currently I am doing an MBA from ICFAI. Does it have a good value/stand in the market? Currently I am working with International NGO.

Charanpreet answers, Dear Ashwini, the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India has many campuses. The industry has its own perception about each campus, so it depends on which ICFAI campus you are from.

nuchil asked, am pursuing MBA from icfai. Is it good?

Charanpreet answers, As I said earlier, it all depends on which ICFAI campus you are from.

lokesh asked, Good evening Sir. I am a commerce graduate and have been working in corporate world since 99. Currently i am posted with Philips. Prior to that I was working with Agilent. Sensing the need of a professional qualification, i have enrolled for MBA thru Manipal Sikkim Univeristy, which is, recognized one. Will like to know whether it will help me?

Charanpreet answers, Dear Lokesh, an MBA will definitely help you. But don't just be satisfied with pursuing an MBA -- you must ensure that you learn the most from the programme.

Rajnish asked, I have done my MBA from Symbiosis Pune. I want to pursue my PhD from IIM.What is your suggestion?

Charanpreet answers, Dear Rajnish, if a PhD fits in with your career plans (research or academics or both) then it is a good idea. You can look at universities or B-schools abroad for the PhD too. Plus they will readily finance a good student.

rizwan asked, I am a BCom graduated in 2003 with 4 years work experience. I would like to do MBA to excel in my career. Please advise me suitable university.

Charanpreet answers, Dear Rizwan, you have to decide whether you want to leave your job and do a full-time MBA. If yes, then a one or two year MBA will do just fine. You can opt for distance, evening, executive or full-time MBA. Once you've made that decision, you can then look at the appropriate institutions.

Part II: Is an MBA right for you? 

Charanpreet Singh is associate dean, Praxis Business School, which is being launched in association with XLRI this year. He has a Bachelor of Technology in mechanical engineering from IIT-Kanpur and an MBA from University of Iowa, USA. He was country manager, marketing, at HP before joining IMS to set up Praxis Business School in Kolkata.