Is Distance MBA worth it for 2022?

What is Distance MBA?

A Distance MBA course is a flexible and affordable recognized MBA program that does not require you to attend regular daily classes. So, if you are unable to pursue a full-time MBA for lack of time or due to high costs, Distance MBA Education is a good option.

Is Distance MBA worth it? What are the advantages of pursuing a distance MBA program?

• Flexibility

Distance education allows one to manage their studies and classes at their own convenience. Most universities or colleges offering Distance MBA have fixed batches for the classes.

Though the timings of the classes are fixed and take place as per a fixed schedule, one can reschedule any of the classes missed or get access to video lectures for the same. The complete study material for the course is available to the students, so they can go through it as time permits. Appearing for exams is also very flexible with a distance MBA.

The students are offered choices of date, time, and center, which they can choose as per their convenience. Students who cannot appear for examinations in a particular year or semester can appear for them later.

• Time and Energy saving

Traveling to a college daily for attending classes is time-consuming and tiring. If a working professional is attending classes after work it can be too tiring and hectic to travel to college post-work and attend classes.

Many times the class timings may clash with the office timings, making it difficult to manage both. With distance MBA programs students can access lectures any time of the day at their convenience without having to waste time traveling to the college. The time spent traveling can be used for something more fruitful.

• Technology friendly

If one has opted for a full-time MBA course they have to attend all classes regularly in the college. But with a distance MBA, one can study online and access all the classes from the comfort of their homes thanks to technology. No need to spend on different books or study material.

The college offering the distance education course will provide all the reading material and online notes that are easily accessible. The use of modern technology like video classes, online notes, and online assessments has made distance MBA easy for students.

• Study while you work

Many times students are forced to leave their studies or are unable to complete higher education as they have financial issues at home. They have to start working to support their families. One cannot pursue a full-time MBA course alongside working. However, with a distance MBA, one can study while they work. The classes are either held over the weekends or in the evenings after office hours. Many times classes are held online so students do not have to travel to attend classes. With distance education, working professionals can work during the weekdays and study on weekends.

• Comparatively cheaper

Fees for full-time MBA programs are considerably high. Everyone may not be able to afford the high fees and costs involved. The high fees are one of the key reasons many aspiring students drop the idea of pursuing an MBA degree. The fees of distance MBA courses are comparatively lower, making the course affordable for most people. The course content is very similar to the regular courses but the fees are a fraction of the full-time course fees.

Impact of Online/Distance MBA courses on your Career:

1. Promising career opportunities:

   A career is the most valued craft of a person’s life. It gives a person a sense of value, recognition, and financial independence. Advancing in one’s career is a dream for most working professionals. To advance in a career one needs to attract the right kind of opportunities. To attract the right kind of opportunities, it is inevitable that you invest in your own development related to business knowledge, personality, and awareness of business functions. An online MBA degree can surely assist you to attract the right kind of opportunities and be visible on the right kind of platform.

2. Networking:

   For working professionals, expanding their social network is important. When you enroll in a professional course like an Online MBA, you automatically get in touch with the right kind of people as your batchmates. This professional group of batchmates surely adds value to your knowledge. You also get exposed to different work cultures and opportunities. Online MBA course delivery doesn’t have geographical limitations. Hence there is a possibility that you may interact with students who are from different countries and backgrounds. This will increase your understanding of diverse cultures. Managing diversity is one of the most coveted skills by employers these days.

3. Job Promotions:

   A well-curated Online MBA helps you to increase your understanding of business practices. You get aware of the various aspects like marketing, sales, IT, finance, operations, human resources, etc. Since you widen your base through this course, you tend to receive the most suited job promotions. The research was conducted considering what the candidates expect after completion of an MBA degree. 94% of the participants expected to secure senior management job roles in the next five years timeline. 71% mentioned that it has enhanced their personality and made them more confident about reaching their career goals, hence they will soon achieve their job promotions.

4. Income:

   Since you become the most suitable for the promotions, it surely reflects in your pay packages. When you are pursuing an Online MBA, you can balance your job and studies. Hence you are getting hands-on exposure to the real world as well as getting input on the theoretical concepts that drive the real world. This gives you a unique experience that is valuable for the employer also. Since the employer benefits from your experience, they are more open to offering you a pay rise. You may also look for the top opportunities available in the market by other employers. Research suggested that 47% of the total participants expected to earn more than 60% of their current packages in the next two years span.

5. Career Progression:

   The small steps that you take daily help you reach your career goal. These baby steps help you reach your true potential. When you are handling a full-time job and Online MBA courses you are acquiring the skills like time management, planning, crucial decision making, a delegation of tasks, and increased focus. All these skills lead to an improvement in your overall personality and soft skills. You must be aware of the fact that employers are looking for employees with high scores on soft skills. The faculty at the reputed MBA schools help you chisel your personality and add to your knowledge base at the same time. All these factors contribute to the overall career progression of the candidate who decides to go for an online MBA.

6. Emotional Boost:

   The percentage of employees in the workforce who take a break from work is at an all-time high. They take a break to pursue certain hobbies, dream journeys, personal responsibilities, etc. However, after the break when you plan to return to work, an Online MBA degree might be the one that will give you the right kind of launchpad. Especially, for the women employees

   who might take a break to start a family and after a few years wish to return to work, they can find a tremendous increase in self-confidence and a boost in self-image. The new learning, newly found professional network and the confidence from the faculties might just be the thing that they might be needing to take their career in the right direction. New learning experiences can give you the emotional boost you might need to progress in your career.

7. What do employers look for:

   The employer’s point of view is crucial in the whole process. What do employers value more? A full-time on-campus program or an Online MBA? It's interesting to know that it doesn’t matter what methodology you used to complete the degree! Yes, you read it right, the methodology of the course delivery doesn’t matter if you are in a position to give quality work to the employer. The employers however value the quality of the MBA program and the value a candidate can deliver to the organization. So, while choosing an online MBA program you need to look for good quality reputed colleges/universities/courses.

So these are the Impacts of Distance MBA courses on your career as a working professional.

Some of the Top colleges known for Distance/ Online MBA courses -

• a href="https://simplidistance.com/college/symbiosis-centre-of-distance-learning/">Symbiosis Centre For Distance Learning

• a href="https://simplidistance.com/college/nmims-global-access-school-for-continuing-education/">Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies - NMIMS

Distance Education Consultant at SimpliDistance. Helping students to pursue Distance Education in India.