Experience: the teacher of all things
FATHIMA KHAJA MOHAIDEEN
Employers are more interested in hands-on experience, rather than theoretical knowledge.
In today’s competitive world, many students do not prefer pursuing their post-graduation immediately, but they are rather on the hunt for a job trying to equip themselves with work experience.
“I chose to work after my degree because I thought that when I do my PG, my work experience would help me to understand the subject more deeply and in a much better way. And having a work experience in your resume is very useful and it creates a
sort of impression,” says Giridharan M., a recent Mechanical Engineering graduate.
“I feel one must always try for a job after a degree programme so as to gain practical knowledge about the subject. That is what I am doing too. Today there are companies that ask for your work experience and not for master’s. It makes you more clear about your career goals and interests,” says Bilal Mohammed Refae, who has recently completed his B.E. in Instrumentation and Control Engineering.
Poornima Murali, who has just graduated from a Mass Communication programme, wishes that she had opted for the work experience route.
“I did my postgraduation in mass communication immediately after my UG and I found it difficult to understand the concept whereas my classmates who had a year’s experience in the field of media could cope with the subject effortlessly. Work experience gives you more knowledge about your subject. And you will know what they expect out of you,” she says.
Global trend
Management schools such as the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, prefer to offer PG seats for students with a minimum of two years’ work experience in the field.
Though they also consider students with no work experience, preference is given to those who have experience. This is in conjunction with the global trend where it is impossible to apply for an MBA degree in many countries without some work experience.
The Indian Institutes of Management also look forward to students having a minimum of two years of experience. Eligibility for many PG diploma courses also requires a minimum of two or three years’ work experience.
Peeru Mohamed, a professor of management, said, “Some institutions have this policy because a subject cannot be completely taught based on theory. Students must have practical knowledge because it’s only then that they know how the field works. And when they share their experience in class, the atmosphere is more lively.”
However, he also sees some disadvantages in these cases.
When a person starts earning, he becomes independent. Once a student has got a good job offer with good pay, he often does not wish to leave his job and go for a PG degree, thinking that it would be difficult to get another opportunity like the one in hand. In that case, he has lost out on the opportunity for a higher qualification. Sometimes, however, students can discipline themselves to work and study simultaneously through distance education.
Many students desire to go abroad for their master’s programme. Most U.S. and U.K. universities recommend or even require a minimum of two to three years of work experience.
Employers in many fields are more interested in hands-on experience, rather than theoretical knowledge. “In our company, we look out for those having a work experience in the sales department,” says P.M. Vijayan, owner of a leading book house.
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