Why are candidates pursuing a second MBA degree? What are the benefits?

Several candidates who already have an MBA from one of the Indian business schools apply to international MBA programmes for a second MBA degree. This situation might seem

unusual in other parts of the world, but it’s quite typical for Indian applicants. The conventional two-year MBA programmes take in candidates with little or no experience. Most students go on for their postgraduate studies (irrespective of whether it’s in a technical area or in the management field) immediately after completing their basic graduation. So the entire education chapter gets closed before they decide to hit the working world. And it’s been a time-tested approach in India for several decades now. 

However, for many professionals, especially those who have been working in international organizations, the feeling of discomfort starts after a few years. They start feeling that they have outgrown their earlier degrees and that these cannot help them move forward. They see their colleagues, counterparts in other countries, or business partners have impressive credentials. Though it isn’t openly mentioned, for senior-level promotions, and international or domestic growth opportunities, those with an international degree seem to get some brownie points. 

For those in business (first-time entrepreneurs or the second generation within business families), there is a need to upgrade their qualifications to be competitive on a global platform – to take their businesses to the next level.

There may be other motivations as well. Some contenders might just be looking for a sabbatical, a break from their current routines, and a chance to rejuvenate themselves before they get back to the corporate world again. For others, it may be a good way to meet new people, grow the network, and work with people from different backgrounds. Some may just be too fixated on a particular school and would do anything to get it on their resumes. This explains why exorbitant short-term courses in many top B-schools open to packed houses. Senior managers and top-level executives who do not have the time but have more than enough money to compensate for it are regulars at such courses. This is also a way some top companies reward their best-performing employees in a bid to retain them.