GATE Material Search

Sunday, September 9, 2012

M. Tech vs. MBA

This might be the most frequently asked question by B. E. students who are thinking of going for higher studies. There is a lot of confusion regarding the options as most people don't have credible sources to clarify their doubts. A lot of times they take a decision based on what some of their seniors or family members are saying. In this post, I discuss what one needs to consider to make this choice



As always, the views and opinions in the post are my own, and you may or may not agree with me. Take my opinions with a pinch of salt.

The Real Dilemma

A lot of people I know who are really interested in being a techie, still find themselves confused whether they should go for M. Tech (even at an IIT). The common fears lingering in these people's minds (and my responses to them) are: 
  • M. Tech is not good for career, but MBA is
    • M. Tech from IIT will do wonders for your career. You will be eligible for most of the Tier I product companies in India and abroad. MBA is not bad as a career choice, but you will be moving away from computer science and engineering.
  • I will only get Teaching jobs after M. Tech
    • Very few students go for teaching after M. Tech. Most get placed in good product development or service companies. And by the way, even teaching jobs are becoming very well paid, so even that is not a bad option.
  • I cannot earn good salary after M. Tech, only MBA can guarantee a good salary. 
    • This is incorrect. People get placed in Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft etc. after M. Tech. These companies are very good pay masters. Also note that a lot of MBA graduates too end up with mediocre salaries. Whether its M. Tech or MBA, your placement depends on your calibre.
  • My senior/elder brother/professor told me don't go for M. Tech, go for MBA, otherwise you will ruin your life.
    • Whoever gave you this advise, did he himself do an M. Tech from IIT or does he know anybody who has done so. Most likely not. 
  • I don't know anybody who has done M. Tech but I know people who have done MBA and are doing well.
    • You can find a lot of people on social media who are doing m. tech. They will be more than happy to share their experiences. Do interact with these people before making a career choice. 




These things stop a lot of bright and technically inclined people from going for M. Tech. This is the main intention of this blog -  to let people know that M. Tech in CS from IITs is a good career option and it will not ruin your life. Through this blog, I try to dispel all such myths going around in B. Tech students.  Please read my post Is it worth doing M. Tech from IITs for more information.

Of course, this is applicable to M. Tech from IITs. I can't say about other institutes as I don't have enough data.

The Comparison

The correct way of choosing between M. Tech and MBA should be based on your interests. If you are interested in Management and want to become a Business Analyst, Financial Analyst, H.R or something similar, go for MBA. If you are interested in core Computer Science, like being a techie, are interested in research, want to be a hard core engineer, go for M. Tech. The domain of M. Tech and MBA are so different that the comparison between M. Tech and MBA is almost like a comparison between Engineering and Medical field. They are completely different and it is totally a matter of personal choice. You didn't ask anyone whether I should go for Engineering or whether I should become a Doctor. Asking someone whether I should do M. Tech or MBA is equally stupid.


The Wrong Question

A lot of people also ask me which of M. Tech and M.B.A will pay higher salary, or which one has a higher average package. First of all, as most experienced people will tell you, making a career choice solely based on money will not lead to growth and prosperity. Over a longer period of time, salaries tend to get equalized in all streams. People who are passionate about what they are doing tend to grow faster and earn more.

Also, the concept of average package is heavily abused in India. An average package of 10L in an institute does not mean that everybody in that college was placed at a package of 10L. Usually it means that most people got packages in the range of 4-6 and a very few got exceptionally high package, bringing the average to 10. Sometimes not all the student get placed and the institute does not include these students in the calculation for average package.



Like my facebook page below to keep in touch with me. I will keep posting any links/resources relevant to M. Tech. You can also ask questions you might have on the Facebook page, and I will try to answer.

9 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Be involved in the community and make a difference. This will also help in the essay sections.

      MBA Admission

      Delete
  2. Check this:
    http://counsellingbyabhi.blogspot.in/2012/11/after-engineering-what-mtech-or-mba_19.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. http://counsellingbyabhi.blogspot.in/2012/11/after-engineering-what-mtech-or-mba_19.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. how can you compare MBA in IT and Mtech in cs??? both are in same fields

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have no idea about MBA in IT. But I am guessing it should have subjects like software quality, project management, etc. This is definitely not what M. Tech is about.

    ReplyDelete
  6. so whats your call now ? MBA or Mtech?

    ReplyDelete
  7. MBAadmissioninindiaJune 26, 2015 at 11:31 AM

    checkout for your confusion http://www.mbaonemi.com/articles/which-way-to-go-m-tech-or-mba/

    ReplyDelete