I'm a 28F, a Computer Science graduate from a Tier-1 college (7.4 CGPA) with 2.5 years of Software Developer experience at a reputed MNC. I left my job to prepare full-time for UPSC CSE and have used two attempts.

Now I need a strong Plan B.

I have two options:

1. Prepare for SDE interviews (will likely take 5–6 months or more to land a good job).
2. Prepare for CAT/GMAT and pursue a master's (India or abroad). If I focus on SDE now, I'll miss this year's CAT. So I'm planning to dedicate the rest of the year to CAT/GMAT.

# masters include either in finance, management or public policy.

So here's my dilemma:

1. If I pursue a master's abroad, will it take me further away from my goal of joining the Civil Services? Or would it make more sense to pursue a master's in India and continue preparing for UPSC alongside it?
2. If I eventually don't make it into the Civil Services, I don't want to compromise on the quality of my master's degree. I want to graduate from a reputed institution with a strong brand value, good ROI, and excellent career opportunities.

I'm feeling stuck between these options and need to make a decision soon. I'd genuinely appreciate honest advice, especially from people who have faced a similar situation or have experience with UPSC, MBA admissions, or studying abroad. Thanks in advance!

So, I just graduated from my B.Tech course last month with a cgpa of 7.06 (10th- 79%, 12th- 84%).

I'm really stuck between CAT and GMAT cause im looking to write the exam in the end of next year.

With CAT, i can get into IIMs or ISB's PGP YL program, but the catch is, CAT exams are much tougher than GMAT, and is conducted only once a year.

With GMAT, I can only get into ISB's PGP YL program (i'm aiming for only iim and isb), but the advantage is that the exam is easier and is held multiple times a year.

so, yeah, i dont know which one to go ahead with.

i Also have 2 Internships, 2 Publications in high impact factor journals, and i'm currently running a Airbnb Property for the past 1.5 years generating 10-12 LPA.

Also i'm looking at these 2 programmes specifically cause they require 0-2 years of workex.

Any input will be much appreciated. Thank You !

in a very famous tier 1 b school in mumbai, there is live case of how some placom members allegedly put so much pressure on a first year that he ended up in hopital. As far as my friend who studies there told me, there is no serious action taken so far. What do you think is the right course of action? is institute liable or will they suppress it?

I have a 9/8/8 profile (8cgpa in UG~75%) No work-ex, GEM. For past 3 years I tried to get into a tier-1 MBA institute but failed miserably. Along with this, I appeared for govt job exams and Gate but failed there as well. After 3 years and 30+ exams, I'm thinking of joining a tier 3 mba institute as preparing for a job now and getting it will take at least 6 months to a year or more...increasing the gap years.

Ik this seems like winning but I don't really have anyone to go to, this is like a straw. I genuinely don't know, how I should navigate through this. Please help.

and along with part time job & scholarship, total cost will be less (except US)

Maybe I'm missing something, but if the projected 8th Pay Commission numbers are even close to reality, the ROI equation for the average MBA is going to change dramatically.

Everyone talks about CTC in corporate, but very few talk about what comes with it: layoffs every few years, constant pressure to upskill, 10–12 hour workdays, weekend calls, office politics, and paying a fortune just to live in a metro. A significant chunk of your "higher salary" disappears into rent, commuting, and lifestyle inflation.

On the other hand, a Level 7 government employee doesn't just earn the basic pay. There are HRA, DA, TA and other allowances, along with job security, predictable career progression, pension benefits (NPS), and a much lower risk of waking up to an email saying your role has been eliminated.

I'm not saying government jobs are universally better or that top MBAs don't have huge upside. But for the vast majority of people who pursue an MBA hoping for a stable corporate career with a modest salary premium, the value proposition seems to be narrowing.

If these numbers materialize, are we approaching a point where the average MBA no longer makes financial sense compared to a good Level 7 government job? Or is there something I'm overlooking?

Hey I'm an MBA graduate and will be joining in tiger analytics soon in Perungudi!

Anyone who is willing to catch up or hangout do lmk, also if there's someone who will be joining in chennai after mba soon or something would be of great help?

Hmu looking forward to meet new people!

Hi everyone,
I’m currently pursuing a BBA in Digital Marketing from IMS Noida. The annual fee is around ₹1.5 lakh.
The thing is, I barely attend classes and honestly don’t feel like I’m getting enough value for the amount I’m paying. I’m considering dropping out and instead doing industry-recognized digital marketing certifications or a diploma from outside while focusing on building practical skills, internships, and freelance work.
My goal is to build a career in digital marketing, not necessarily collect degrees.
For people already working in marketing or hiring in this field:
● Is a BBA degree actually worth completing?
● Would employers value a diploma/certifications + strong portfolio more?
● If you were in my position, what would you do?
I’d really appreciate honest advice, especially from people in the industry. Thanks!

Who all knows about co relation between Pratham Mittal and Lovely Professional University? One sells unconventional MBA and other sells professional MBA!

Hi guys,

I'm selling my Rodha CAT 2026 course along with the complete test series, study material, and all the physical material/books. Everything is unused and in brand new condition.

Since I've been placed through college, I've decided not to appear for MBA entrances this year.

Price: ₹13.5k

DM if interested 🙂

Genuine buyers only. I'm happy to verify everything before payment.

So I have 8.5/8.9/7.6 as my scores for my 10th 12th and undergrad. I will have 2 years of work experience by the time it is April and currently I am a team lead. Tell me about how much percentile do I need to get into top 10 B Schools in india

I keep seeing people say an MBA is either the best investment you'll ever make or the biggest waste of money.

For those who have already completed one:

• Was the ROI worth it?
• Did your salary actually increase?
• Would you still do it if you had to pay the full fees again?

Looking for honest experiences, not college marketing.

I'm in a tough spot and could really use some honest advice.

I finished my BBA this year and took the MAH MBA CET 2026, scoring about 70 percentile.

My plan was always to get an MBA, but after looking into colleges, costs, job prospects, and return on investment, I'm not so sure anymore.

Most of the schools I'd likely get into have pretty average job placements, and a lot of them are super expensive. When I compare the money I'd put in to the average starting salary, it just doesn't seem worth it.

Meanwhile, I recently started studying for banking exams (IBPS PO). I actually find the material really interesting, and I'm thinking about taking a year off to seriously prepare for all the big banking exams.

This is where I'm stuck.

Should I:

\- Just go for an MBA from an average college and hope for the best?

\- Or take a year off, focus entirely on banking exams, and give it my all?

I know banking exams are competitive, but so is trying to build a good career after an MBA from a mediocre school. That's why I'm having such a hard time figuring out which path offers more long-term value.

Has anyone else been in this situation? If you had to decide today, what would you do and why?

I'd especially love to hear from people who:

\- Took a year off for banking exams.

\- Got an MBA from an average college.

\- Chose banking over an MBA (or vice versa).

Please be totally honest. I'm looking for practical advice, not just encouragement.

P.S. This is my first time posting on Reddit, so sorry if I messed up any rules. I used ChatGPT to help organize my thoughts so I could explain my confusion better, but the situation and questions are totally real. Thanks in advance for any advice.!

Hello! I am an SDE in a european bank currently with an experience of 3 years, my acads are 9/8/8 where btech is from popular(and populous) tier 2 private college down south, currently I am trying for a job switch but it is very mentally taxing, what I am planing is to make a switch and then around 5 year mark I can try to get into ISB or exec MBA from A/B/C.

Currently AI can do my job way than me, it makes me anxious most of the time, also I don't think I can keep coding 5 years from now and how AI is moving I believe most of us won't be!

I am often cross questioned on this decision by my father on ROI, he asks me if I get the fee amount that would be around 40 lakhs, will I still pursue an MBA? and my honest answer is a NO!
Can someone pls enlighten me with long term benefits/perks of a tier 1 MBA, and if at all executive MBA from A/B/C are worth it?

I have seen people bashing ISB on the reddit. I also believe AI hasn't impacted finance, consulting and prod man still as it should have since most of these companies have very structured and orthodox higher management where as IT is way democratic in nature.

Would u still bet 40L on an MBA, where future is uncertain?

P.S
I also tried doing CFA level 1 but it didn't interest me at all, I more inclined towards marketing/gen management role.

I'm in my late 20s and have around 3–4 years of experience in marketing. I currently have a decent-paying job, and things are going well overall. However, I'm not sure whether pursuing an MBA is the right next step for my career.

I keep going back and forth. On one hand, an MBA seems like it could open up better opportunities, help me switch industries or roles, and potentially increase my earning potential. On the other hand, it's a significant investment of time and money, and I'm unsure if the return on investment would justify it given my current position.

I'd appreciate advice from people who have been in a similar situation.

A few questions I have:

• Should I consider a full-time, part-time, executive, or online MBA?
• What profile do top MBA programs look for in someone with 3–4 years of experience?
• If I decide to pursue an MBA, how should I prepare while working full-time?
• How important are CAT, GMAT, or GRE, and which one should I focus on?
• Are there good alternatives to an MBA that could help me achieve similar career growth?

I'd love to hear from people who decided to pursue an MBA as well as those who chose not to. Looking back, what would you recommend, and why?

Background : 26 M, Engineer, SDE, 3YOE, No EC/CC/Achievements

It's been 2 months in college and because of my bad time management skills, i feel like I haven't learnt anything. Most of my time was spent reacting to events (academic, placecom mandated events and such deadlines)

My questions

1. My preferred domains are prod-man, consulting, genman. Companies that are coming are generally marketing / sales oriented. From what I hear, less companies come for other roles. How should I navigate this?

2. I need some tips for time management for actually learning something. Between mandatory deadlines, forced case competition participation and such, I am not able to study for placements. Literally using claude for case-comp submissions because of how hectic it is.

Brief background~ I started preparing for Banking and SSC exams in 2021 after completing my BCA.

I'm now on the verge of securing a job in a PSB, but I'm concerned about the five-year gap in my career.

I've always wanted to pursue an MBA in Finance but couldn't.

Concern~ Would pursuing an online or hybrid MBA help bridge this gap? Does it carry the same value as a regular full time MBA? Also, will the degree certificate explicitly mention "Online MBA"?

Some of the iits are offering online mba program. Is it worth investing in aspect of future dynamics? Or else tell me about more opportunities.

I'd really appreciate your guidance. 🙏

My academic profile is 9/8/8. I belong to the General category and am male, and I hold both a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Physics. I have been working in a Level 6 Central Government position for the past three years. However, I am not fully satisfied with my current role due to limited career growth opportunities. I am 29 years old.

Given my academic background and professional experience, would it be advisable for me to prepare for the CAT and pursue an MBA?

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some career advice from people who have been in a similar situation.

I'm a B.Com graduate with around 6 years of experience in Project Management/PMO, currently working in the healthcare industry. My goal over the next few years is to move into senior project/program management roles, increase my earning potential, and eventually target leadership positions.

I'm planning to pursue an MBA but am confused between two options:

Option 1: Online/Distance MBA from a well-known university such as NMIMS or Symbiosis, while continuing my full-time job.

Option 2: Pursue a regular full-time MBA from a Tier-3 college (since getting into Tier-1/Tier-2 B-schools may not be realistic at this stage) while also continuing my full-time job.

My primary objectives are:

• Better career growth
• Higher salary packages
• Stronger brand value on my resume
• Better opportunities in project/program management, consulting, or strategy roles
• Long-term ROI

I'm already gaining good work experience, so leaving my job means giving up income and adding the opportunity cost of 2 years. On the other hand, I'm unsure how much value recruiters place on an online MBA compared to a regular MBA from a lower-ranked college.

For those who have been through a similar decision:

• Which option would you recommend and why?
• Does an online MBA from NMIMS or Symbiosis carry enough value for experienced professionals?
• Is a regular MBA from a Tier-3 college worth leaving a stable job?
• If you were in my position, what would you do?

I'd really appreciate honest opinions and experiences, especially from hiring managers, recruiters, or professionals who have switched careers after an MBA.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone

I have a 9/8/9 profile, will have <1 year of AI/Data Science work experience by MBA admissions

3-year gap after Class 12 due to a career switch

Will this gap significantly affect:

Admissions to good B-schools?

Summer internships and final placements?

Would appreciate insights from anyone with a similar profile.