A PGDM program is an intensive 2-year course for individuals looking to upskill their managerial or entrepreneurial skills. One must have the right mindset and the drive to take full advantage of everything this course offers. Now, as a fresh graduate, you are enthusiastic about your career and want to try several things. You may think pursuing a PGDM right after graduation is the perfect choice for your career. But, it has its drawbacks and benefits. It is the same if you are a working professional and want to pursue a PGDM course. Let us look at the pros and cons of doing a PGDM program as a working professional vs as a fresh graduate. I am sure this will help you make a better choice for your career.
Pursuing PGDM program as a working professional
Pro
Helps in selecting the right PGDM program
As you have been working in the corporate world for a few years now, you know about a few things in advance. You will have a rough idea about the general procedure of getting things done from people, the types of people, and how to deal with them, managing a small team, completing projects, dealing with rejections, and many more things. You must have probably tried and tested different types of roles or observed other senior people and their style of working. Also, your career goals might be much clearer than a fresh graduate because you have practical experience of working in the real world.
Well, all of these things will help you when you finally enroll in a PGDM course. You will be able to choose the correct PGDM specialization for yourself. You will have your career path clear in front of you. Because of your practical experience, you will be able to grasp management concepts much better. Also, you will find it easier to build a strong network during and after your PGDM course, thanks to your work experience and your previous contacts.
Professional network expands
As a working professional, you might have some experience of networking with your colleagues, and the middle management. Pursuing a PGDM takes it to the next level. Here you are given the opportunity to expand your professional network globally. You will be interacting with the senior management of reputed companies, some of whom will recognize you from your earlier professional life. It will give you greater credibility for future placements. People from different industries, countries, and expertise will now be part of your close friend circle. The learning that you will get in the process will be immense. It will also help you when you are starting your own business or looking for a better job in the future.
Better career opportunities
A PGDM up skills an individual enough that he/she can command a much higher salary package. This also means that they have a pool of job roles to choose from. All of them are mostly at the higher level of management that makes you take more responsibility on your shoulders. It will help you climb the corporate ladder much faster and also if you plan to start your own venture
Con
Income will be reduced for some time.
During your two years of PGDM program, your income might come to a standstill if you have not planned for it properly. This is not a con if you have already made arrangements to manage your monthly expenses. One must understand that pursuing a PGDM is an investment in yourself for much better financial returns in the long run. Many reputed PGDM colleges like Welingkar offer part-time PGDM programs or an executive PGDM option, especially for working professionals. It helps them continue their full-time job and pursue their PGDM course on weekends or after office hours.
Pursuing PGDM program as a fresh graduate
Pros
A good start to your career
Imagine starting your career as an industry-ready person who has all the necessary knowledge, skills, and a little bit of industry experience in advance. This is the ideal candidate for any company as they are always on the lookout for leaders like these. You can not only get your first job quite easily but also can land a good salary package initially. Leading a team right from the start of your career will be a much better experience and will have a lot of learnings for you to grow in your career. A PGDM program will accelerate your career growth.
Networking opportunities early in your career
The stronger your network, the more opportunities you can create for yourself. As a fresh graduate, you will get a headstart in this regard as PGDM colleges themselves promote networking as much as possible. One can take advantage of this networking opportunity to get a job easily after their graduation. It can help them to start a business with a friend they made through networking. Not only this, but you will also get exposure to international companies and access to the top-management people over there. All of these factors will help you in your career after you graduate from the PGDM program.
Cons
Difficult to make the correct choice of PGDM course
Choosing the correct type of PGDM specialization is so important because you will be working in that area for a major part of your life. One cannot afford to make a wrong choice. Now, as a fresh graduate mostly you are confused about your career. If you haven’t already experienced what it’s like to work in the real world, then you probably do not know what you want to do in your career. This lack of clarity in life can prove to be a major hurdle for you to select the correct PGDM specialization. The solution to this is to be more self-aware right from your college days by doing various internships in different fields to get a broad understanding of where your interest truly lies.
Difficult to get admission in B-schools
Top B-schools like Welingkar want all of their students to become successful managers/leaders or entrepreneurs. Therefore they prefer to have only serious students who have clarity for their career and not fresh graduates only looking for a fancy degree. This ensures that only serious and focused students are part of their organization. This is just a general practice that is followed and this does not mean that fresh graduates are not allowed at all. They will be given a chance if they fulfill the above criteria like a working professional would
So, here are the pros and cons of pursuing a PGDM program as a working professional vs. as a fresh graduate. If you think you are focused, and clear about your goals you can always go for a PGDM course right after graduation. If not, then it’s best to work for a few years, get some clarity, and then step into your favourite college. It is advisable to have some work experience before you decide to pursue a PGDM program. Managing people is a valuable skill in today’s world and the future. A PGDM will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge and it is up to you to make full use of the same. If you are a working professional and want to pursue an executive PGDM program or simply a normal PGDM, then click here to enroll in WeSchool which is one of the top PGDM colleges in India.