Post MBA Careers- Why that change may not be for you

Considering a career change after an MBA can be a luring and also daunting experience. Many people, including managers receive it with mixed feelings. To many, it connotes that dreaded feeling of having to start all over again.

While you get briefed on so much as an MBA, career change is remains a sticky topic only few want to navigate. And though a career change may be attractive and infact provide new opportunities, and challenges, it is just not for everyone.

Most MBA graduates end up with much more skills than needed in previous careers. However, this alone should not warrant a complete switch. Understanding exactly what skills are relevant to the new profession beyond classroom simulations is not so obvious. That’s why a corporate internship or a management trainee program with a reputable firm may be a more prudent way to start.

Infact, before I came to business school, I was seriously considering my interests in investment banking. This is one such a hot area, especially with the rapid growth in venture capital and private equity start-ups. The desire to incubate innovative business ideas was inescapable.

But business isn’t as simplistic as putting down the idea. More is at play. For instance, the external structures, environment in one area may be more conducive for one kind of engagement than another. However, even with an opportunity of knowledge in Finance, I still couldn’t give it a pass the way I wanted.

You too may have to conduct similar diagnostics on your career prospects. Evaluate your most likely success areas and optimize your potential. Career planning during and after your MBA should never be a taboo. Careers, like many areas of life are constantly evolving.