YOU have a job you like and it pays well, too.

But climbing the corporate ladder seems tough, because you don't have the skills to zoom ahead. So you think you need to upgrade your educational qualifications and expertise.

What is better: a course that offers more practical perspective or classroom work? Or perhaps a mix of the two?

Your ideal programme depends entirely on your needs. "When I was looking for an MBA programme a few years ago, I didn't have much experience," confesses Riten Shah, who completed his MBA a few years ago from the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.

At the time, work experience, a cushy job and a 'fab salary' were his priorities. So working on projects and running around for case studies was never a problem. Four years hence, Riten wants to specialise in risk management.

"This time, I am looking for a course that is more classroom-oriented. I know how the industry works. I don't need to make numerous projects, but I do need to understand, analyse and discuss existing case studies with classmates," he says.

Bullish or bookish?
Most Indian courses offer a blend of both -- classroom work and projects. Most claim this as their USP. The real meat comes through only through projects or research work.

"Data collection for research can be taught in classrooms. But real difficulties crop up only on the field," says Dr Shubhada Joglekar, retired faculty of SNDT University, who now teaches Action Research in several institutes across Mumbai.

Dr TN Sanghvi, who teaches Total Quality Management (TQM) to management students agrees: "I can prescribe text books and lecture students on what TQM is and how to achieve it. But I can only hope that they will understand it! If I allot them a case study or a project after outlining the frame, they will understand it better, as they have to visit an organisation or institution where TQM is being practised," he explains.

Time constraints
"If I could help it, I would take up a course that has only classroom teaching and spot tests!" says Ashita Rajani, a PR professional, who is pursuing a finance management course at KC College of
Management Studies, Mumbai.

"I run around servicing clients all day long, and barely manage to reach on time for the evening lectures. So I have no energy or even the drive for these projects!" she adds.

Ashita prefers courses with bare minimum projects: "I have the experience on the job front anyway," she adds.

On the job
Some students complete their projects and case studies within the organisation, or even take up a course keeping in mind their job profile at the workplace.

Lawyer Bhushan Rajendra handled several security matters at his firm. A senior suggested he take up the securities law course offered at Government Law College, Mumbai.

"Understanding concepts academically made a huge difference in my working style, especially since I had other professionals for classmates. In my case, there was no question of too many projects, as I was already handling that particular portfolio at work. It was all about learning by the book," he adds.

The bottom line: every professional has different needs. In fact, some of the best schools now also offer online courses for those who do not have the time. Can it get more flexible than that that?

Photograph: Vipurva Parikh

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e-mail: Shraddha Kamdar

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