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Can the MBA degree be reinvented? Major business schools across the globe seem to be attempting such a feat in recent years. While the core curricula remain pretty much the same, which means one still needs to study marketing, finance or one of the core MBA disciplines, there are additional lab sessions or workshops being jury-rigged into the courses. These additional options are meant to prepare the budding managers to handle potential real-life disasters more efficiently. Many of the top MBA programs offered by major business schools now include such opportunities for additional study, ensuring that students are prepared to handle any challenge thrown their way, during their internships. The types of additional studies do not always match the courses, but are necessary nonetheless Finance is certainly one of the most popular MBA disciplines, but is learning the principles of financial operations enough for an intern? It might have been that way a few years ago, but today, and intern is supposed to be skilled in negotiations as well. After all, he (or she) may have to act as liaison between multiple groups within the organisation, or between the organisation and clients. However, simply picking up excellent negotiation skills might not be enough, either. A management intern may also be required to suggest solutions when the finance department runs into some kind of problem with a bank or one of the investors of the company. For these reasons, some of the top MBA programs on finance now have additional workshops included in the curricula, where students are taught how to develop crucial skills, such a defusing an agitated client or investor, maintaining harmony between intra-organizational teams, and so on. This kind of all-round learning was not perceived to be necessary even a few years ago. But now, additional skills may actually make the difference between a person getting a superior job from a top employer and another being forced to remain satisfied with a mediocre one. Students often inquire about opportunities to develop soft skills when they enroll for MBA Students have learned how to adapt to the increasing demands of employers. Many students signing up for MBA courses now make it a point to inquire about the opportunity to develop soft skills offered by the business school. Some wish to learn the proper rules of corporate communication. Some are interested in picking up some negotiation skills aside from their regular studies. Still others may be interested in knowing how to draft crucial e-mails, which are to be sent to important people in a company. If they are not satisfied by what they hear or see, students may actually visit another B-school, since even clearing the top MBA programs do not ensure a high paying job any longer. Fortunately, most business colleges are known to have flexible teaching policies. If a student asks for a certain additional feature and most employers are found to asking for the same, then the major B-schools usually incorporate it in the curricula of their top MBA programs pretty quickly. If this trend continues, then students in the near future will not have to worry about taking up separate classes to develop soft skills, along with MBA. In the long run, integrated education plans adopted by major B-schools can only benefit the students. Arindom is a final year student in one of the IIM-s, which are considered to be the best chain of business schools in India. He enrolled for one of the top MBA programs offered by IIMC, since it offered an integrated study plan, allowing him to prepare completely for internship while studying MBA.
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