Do working executives get better salaries after undertaking a mid-life study programme

Nikhil Aggarwal, 35 years old, an executive in a MNC bank is burning the midnight oil preparing for an entrance exam. He plans to go on a one-year hiatus off work and take up a Full Time Post Graduate Programme in Management, in the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad. Increasingly, more and more young employees, especially in the age bracket of 30-40 years are quitting their jobs to undertake a study programme in order to add an additional value in their professional life.

Nikhil says, “I have been able to save some money to fund my education expenses, as I have been working since I was 22. I have a supportive wife who is a working woman and she shall take care of the household finances when I am away, if I get through ISB.”

Nikhil adds confidently, “Once I graduate from ISB, my CV shall be seen from a different perspective in the market. I am sure I can command a good salary package thereafter.”

Like Nikhil, there are plenty of young Indians who after having taken a plunge in the corporate world have again decided to get back to studies - opting for study programmes in India and abroad.

Sangeeta Sinha, 31, working in a leading IT firm in NOIDA, who has done her Executive MBA from Nanyang Business School in Singapore says, “Initially, my present company was reluctant to let me take a study break. Since I had a good relationship with my boss, she let me go for my study programme as I somehow convinced her that after completion of my course I shall come back and work for the same company.”

Sangeeta continues, “Thanks to my boss and employee-friendly company policies, I have now come back after finishing my Executive-MBA and have now been given a better role and greater perks and benefits.”

The scenario is a little different in the case of working executives who pursue part-time or distance learning study programmes. For instance, Abheek Sen, an Asst Sales Manager in a FMCG company is not very satisfied after his part-time MBA in Sales & Marketing programme from a private university in Delhi, which he used to attend every weekend.

Abheek says, “The part-time MBA programme was a waste of time and money and I can just use the degree to glorify it in my CV. Even after 2 years of the completion of the course with good grades, I have struggled hard to get a job.”

Mohit Shankar Jha*, 49 years old, is pursuing a 3 year part-time MBA programme in International Business from a Govt-recognised institute in Delhi. Jha, a senior officer with the Govt of India says, “I undertook this study programme as I want to teach a few of these subjects once I retire. Another reason, frankly, is to escape a transfer order in these 3 years as my son is appearing for his Boards next year.”

In order to survive in a competitive working environment, irrespective of one’s age, a study break for working individuals can prove to be a beneficial option. Be it a MBA, a specialized IT course or a Project-Management programme – it all pays off well, for an ambitious and patient working executive who could add a significant value to his career graph with a mid-life study programme.

* Name changed on request

- Suniet Bezbaroowa (views expressed in the article are that of the author)