"Comparisons are like shadows which never leave you until you reach a logically sound decision"
It was yesterday, when I was leaving for my work and while boarding a metro I bumped into a group of students who were involved in a heated debate to choose between MBA or MCA, which option is better?
I was listening to them patiently but after a while I also pitched into their debate or you may say discussion... whatever you name it.
Being a Career Consultant I navigated their ship of discussion in right direction.
Actually, today there are plenty of courses to choose from and too many options often leave a person high and dry. And when it comes to choose between MBA and MCA, we are again surrounded by similar doubts.
Today we will be discussing about different aspects of MBA and MCA to make you reach a definite decision. As both post graduate degrees are entirely different from each other so we need to look at them from various angles ranging from your educational background to your career needs.
MBA and MCA both are very much popular among students and high profile courses that stands from one another in today's business. For instance, MBA is suitable for those candidates who are good at managerial plus administration skills and can handle stress and deadlines whereas MCA is suitable for those individuals who are interested in general computer applications and want to enhance their insight to be more technically sound.
Usually, choosing between the two is a big puzzle for those students who have completed their BCA course or those who are graduated in B.Sc (IT). Both B.Sc (IT) & BCA, have a technical background, and going for MCA will glide the students to a more technical career.
On the other side, an MBA will take the students towards administrative and managerial career. A wrong decision will take you in wrong direction and can block your progress forever but a wise and calculated decision will fetch you bountiful opportunities which can prove to be a springboard for your career prospects.
Let’s analyze the different aspects of both MBA and MCA that will help you in deciding which is best for your career growth.
MCA as a career option
MCA is a post graduate course which can be completed in three years and has got six semesters. As far as the eligibility is concerned, a bachelor degree with Mathematics or statistics at 12th standard/degree level or students who have completed their BCA can apply for MCA. MCA is very unique in the sense that it provides students with advanced technical skills like algorithm design, computer networks, database management, latest programming languages, software development and other Information technology related subjects.
What after MCA?
As discussed earlier, MCA is a highly specialized course which concentrates majorly on core technical areas. It prepares students to grab jobs related to technical profiles like Web Developers, Software Programmers, Designers, System Analysts, Software Testers and other IT related profiles. It will be an icing on the cake if you are highly dexterous in your job as you can then easily grab fat pay packages in reputed organisations.
MBA as a career option
Masters in Business Administration is another post graduate course which is divided into four semesters and is spanned over a period of 2 years. To be eligible to apply for MBA, you need be a graduate in any discipline and you need to score good percentile to apply for this prestigious course. MBA is all about management and it provides management skills to students which will in turn make them lead big organizations. It helps students to learn about leadership, business skills and managerial skills more deeply. Today big companies compete with each other to hire students who are passing from good b-schools. Top management professionals like Indra Nooyi, Anshul Jain, Ajay Banga etc. are the live examples to look for.
What after MBA?
Sky is the limit after doing an MBA from a reputed b-school. An MBA degree can do wonders if you are passing out from premium b-school as it leads the students to top management positions of any big multinational organization. There are various job profiles to look for as an MBA grooms the student to have a capacity to manage positions like Business Manager, Executive Recruiter, Finance Manager, Advertising Executive, Marketing Executive and top administrative positions like CEO etc., you can take solace from the fact that an MBA degree will fetch you less salary initially when it is compared with MCA graduate but the salary multiplies manifold as you scale higher positions with your MBA degree.
Let's have a comparative analysis with the help of a table on different aspects of both MBA and MCA.
| Basic |
MCA |
MBA |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Skill Set
|
Logical bent of mind along with Adaptability Operating Systems : Windows, LINUX Languages: C++, Core Java. Web Technologies : ASP.NET, HTML Data Access Technology: ADO.NET Databases : Basics of MS SQL Server 2000 , Oracle Tools : MS Office, MS Visual Studio, .NET |
Knowledge of Business Strategies Ability to conduct SWOT Analysis Aggressive approach to Sell/ Persuade/ Communicate Comprehensive understanding of Products & Targets
|
| Personal Skill Set |
Aptitude to adopt and learn new technologies. Communicate effectively with the team members. Ability to work in team and lead it and take up responsibilities. Updated with the latest advancements and developments in various technical fields. |
Creative Ideas Out-of-the-box Thinking Exceptional Communication Skills (Soft Skills) Critical Thinking Power to persuade Knowledge of Business Strategies |
| Curriculum |
Programming & Data Structure Info Systems Analysis Design & Implementations Computer Communication Networks Software Engineering Optimization Techniques Programming languages like C, java, projects etc.
|
Financial Reporting and Analysis Organizational Behavior Principle of Management Probability and Statistics Operational Management Costing and Control System Corporate Finance Strategies Management Marketing Business Research Methods |
| Financial Incentives |
Initial salary ranges between 3-3.5 lacs p.a.
|
Initial Salary Rs. 300,000/- |
| Career Path |
Software Developer Web Designer Systems Manager Software Architect Java Developer Quality Assurance Engineer Software Consultant DBA Troubleshooter Project Manager. |
Business Manager Executive Recruiter Finance Manager Advertising Executive Marketing Executive top administrative positions CEO, CFO and COO |
| Scope of Job |
IT companies Consultancy Firms Large Multi-National Corporations Govt. Sector Private Sector Telecom Companies |
Retail Industry Consultant Firms Hospitality Industry Advertising Industry Banking and Financial Institutions Media Engagement Digital Marketing Education |
| Nature of Job |
Checking the viability of the new software Support, Maintain and Document Software functionality and also to make sure that the software is user-friendly for others to work on it.
|
Creative Analytical Ability Innovation in Running Campaigns Positive Outlook Number player Planning & Strategies Content Oriented Profit Oriented Enthusiasm and Zeal in Selling |
| Top Professional to Follow |
Bill Gates (Founder Microsoft Corporation) Vishal Sikka (CEO Infosys Group) Sundar Pichai (CEO of Google) Satya Nadella (CEO of Microsoft) Mark Zuckerberg (Founder and Chairman of Facebook) Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal (Founders Flipkart)
|
Tim Cook (Apple CEO) Kumar Mangalam Birla (Chairman of Aditya Birla Group) Adi Godrej (Chairman of Godrej Group) Anand Mahindra (Managing Director and Chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra) Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (MD & Chairman of Biocon Ltd) Cyrus Mistry (Chairman of TATA Group) |
Also Read: Top 3 Reasons to choose MBA as a Career
CONCLUSION
After analyzing several aspects of both MBA and MCA programme, you can call the shots. So which is better option MBA or MCA?
You can further clear this confusion by analyzing your
- Skills,
- Aptitude and
- Interests.
If you are more technology oriented and excited to make your career in networking, software and IT related fields then you should go for an MCA degree.
On the other hand, if you are people's person and have leadership skills and want to make your career in management and administrative positions or want to be an entrepreneur then you can opt for an MBA degree. Remember!
The answer lies within YOU only
We have provided you the snapshot of both courses to choose from and now it is your call to take a wise decision for the betterment of your career.
Hope that our in depth analysis will help you in choosing the right course which will be fruitful for your career.
We wish you best of luck for a better choice!!
Share our article with those who are confused whether to pursue an MBA or MCA programme. You can also post your comments to share your experience about the confusion that you faced between MBA and MCA programme.
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