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Am I too old for a Professional MBA Program?
A great majority of people live out their lives according to the prescribed age for entry to school for instance or retirement from service. There are bound to be exceptions, though, like over-smart kids, and teachers and actors active in the seventies and eighties. Yet it is often heard said that study observes no age limits since learning continues throughout life. As long as phenomena exist, we learn and that ends only at death.
Professional courses cannot set age limits
Visit a college or two and find some surprises waiting! While the infinite majority like sweet butterflies seem to be overwhelming the campus, a few graying candidates would also be seen. Exceptions again, of course. Besides, passions know no limits, though we think that obsessions fade with time. Hyperactive individuals would find something to do forever. Hobbies and interests often lead to full-fledged professionalism.
Most developed and developing societies encourage social mobility. A truck driver should be able to graduate and become a hotel manager if that is an obsession. MBA particularly specifies several years of productive work experience as a major qualification for entry. That might set the entry age for MBA at around 28 years, after school, graduation, and maybe 6 years of work.
Can a candidate appear for an MBA at 38? The answer is a vehement ‘yes,’ though it is not so common. But why not? The guy at 38 probably encountered initial problems before settling down to a cool management career. Perhaps the company offered to foot the MBA expenses. The question is whether the MBA is required at that age after solid management experience. Reading a few books would help. Perhaps it is technically required for official purposes. Some promotions are withheld for those who do not possess a master’s degree. Such is the tier system practiced in many government and private services globally.
Encouraging study at any age!
While we do not expect men and women in their fifties and sixties to pursue academic and training careers, some of them do. Social service organizations, for instance, set no age limits, but hold orientations for new members. The charity works similarly though it can hardly be called academic or training. They would have some sessions whereby the philosophies and duties are specified. Thus, learning continues lifelong. The exciting changes nowadays happening in terms of the technological and the digital worlds bring plenty of novelty to keep society interested. The best way to prevent atrophy in old age would be to learn newer interests and hobbies to keep the brain stimulated.
A rich variety of courses offered free over the Internet could arouse interest. A forest ranger could learn to breed aquarium fish. An aircraft pilot could grow roses or raise vegetables. The income factor should be considered as a reward for honest labor.
Formal courses of study
College academic or professional courses do not prescribe age restrictions for entry. Admission criteria would have qualifying marks in examinations. Besides age, religion, color, and race are not restricted. Thus, it is only in theory that somebody could feel overage for a particular course. If a forty-year-old has to attend classes with 28-year-olds, it may seem funny. Yet, if circumstances compel the 40-year-old to study to earn an income to support the family, he is going to do it, no matter what.
Formal courses under a structured governing body like a university specify a curriculum and minimum qualifying standards. Books and activities are prescribed and the course duration is. Colleges do not function in a vacuum but are related to society and the industry that employs successful participants.
Nowadays, many who cannot avail of formal education for reasons like employment or financial constraints find many chances. Distance education and online courses provide many avenues that replace formal college education. They may not be as profound or as important but is better than nothing. Education often appears to be flexible like rubber since management courses could extend from six months to two years, with students accomplishing less or more of the same knowledge from the same books.
Developed countries offer greater opportunities
Probably it all depends on the individual. While one guy has become a manager at 25, another has to wait a decade longer. Pursue several courses no matter what your age! A range of interests and hobbies at a young age would lead to more productive activities. Lots of reading and television have the advantage of exposing people to varied slices of life. Perhaps an enduring interest would be born like in nature that could lead to old age activities of helping suffering animals.
In that sense, rigidity is lacking in enlightened countries that are affluent. When the pangs of hunger do not bother the brain, more interesting activities are discovered. Asian and African countries are too rigid to allow such flexibility in changing careers in midstream. The traditional service orientation commences before 20 and ends at 60. Europe and America would allow a lot of gymnastics with careers, some exposed to several careers in a single lifetime.
Any age should be good enough for MBA
Our rules at GIBS allow it, the study of MBA is justified at any age. Age is only a number that has a psychological impact no doubt. In thought and heart, being young is important in spirit. Teachers constantly in the company of youngsters possess the sparkle of youth right into old age. Pursue careers of passion, no matter the age. Never mind what others say and think. Do your thing. for more visit: www.gibs.edu.in.
