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Now-a-days, there are many different types of MBA programs. Before making a decision, you should evaluate each and every one. Even though they are both full-time programs, one-year MBA programs are quite a bit different than their two-year counterparts.
A one-year MBA program has very strict requirements for admission, both in academic training and work history. Says Oumkar Umesh.

The education sector has undergone a massive transition. The management sector in particular has witnessed several sea changes. Each year sees a new set of courses being introduced. It seems as though everyone has a course to match to his or her interest. Several management institutions have restructured their buildings and their infrastructure to accommodate management students. IIMs, however, head the list and are held in high rank. Below them there are many other colleges in various parts of the country. The number of colleges in Karnataka itself exceeds 40. But the point of argument is: do these colleges succeed in serving the purpose of their existence?

The common factor between other colleges and IIMs is that they share a common syllabus, with the same subjects. The marketing management book written by Philip Kotler remains a bible for all the management students. Despite the several common elements, IIMs continue to rule the top position. They are more in demand among prospective MBA students than others. It is obviously the brand, which sells them. "Yes, we do face a lot of difficulty in placing ourselves in good companies. We are many a times forced to choose a job much against our wish. Unlike IIMs, we do not have a wide range of choices. IIM students get what they like whereas we have to settle for what we get," says Sadashiv.

"I had to struggle for two years, to get into an MNC. I was good at concepts, but lacked practical experience. I worked for a credit card company much against my interest in the beginning, and only after two years, I got an offer with a good package," says Somesh. "One-year or two-year depends on the answer to 'Why MBA?' A one-year has a cost advantage but I have come to the conclusion that if your aim is career switching, you will be bewildered in a one-year programmes. The two-year programme offers a luxury called summer-internship where you can get hands-on experience in the field you want to switch to. A one-year is more for all those who have been-there-done-it-all who just want to enhance."

Most of the students complain that the companies ask for experience. The irony is unless they provide us job, how do they expect us to have experience, he asks. "Though two-tier and three-tier colleges possess all the infrastructure, they lack in the quality of education. Probably this is the factor, which hold the IIMs in high esteem. Only chairs and tables will not build our careers," he explains.

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* Contributed by -
Oumkar Umesh,
Senior Correspondent - The Observer of Management,
Article Published in Vol. 1 Issue 12 December 2006.