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What Happens After You Enrol in an Online MBA Course in Kolkata? A Step-by-Step Reality Check
The decision to pursue MBA online courses in Kolkata is a significant choice, particularly for working professionals with multiple commitments, including career, job, family, and higher education. It is essential to understand the reality after enrollment, and the decision should not be made hastily or based on the excitement of joining a recognised program.
A step-by-step Reality Check of enrolling on an online MBA degree from a Kolkata-based university
Admission Confirmation and Onboarding
After the enrollment is complete, through the online portal of the university, the student will get confirmation of the admission through email. It involves:
- ID of the students
- Login credentials for the Learning Management System (LMS)
- Digital welcome kits
- Dates for the orientation session.
There may be live sessions conducted by several universities to introduce the students to the faculty members and coordinators. They will guide in the process of using online platforms effectively for the smooth commencement of the program. However, the reality is that onboarding sessions can be overwhelming initially, but most platforms are intuitive. Institutions like NSOU, MAKAUT and Techno India University, which are located in Kolkata, provide robust student support.
Getting Access to the LMS
A robust LMS forms the backbone of online MBA courses. It provides access to:
- Recorded and live lectures are held in a virtual mode.
- Assignments, quizzes and case studies.
- Discussion forums with faculty and other students.
The course provides e-books and learning materials, and assignments are graded. It also provides flexibility, especially to working individuals who can attend the recorded lectures either in the evening or on weekends.
Beginning Your Core Modules
The online MBA courses are divided into core modules, which include Marketing, Finance and HR. There are specialisations that the students have to choose. It is also divided into projects and internships.
Subjects like Organisational Behaviour, Financial Management, and Business Strategy are to be studied in semesters 1 and 2.
However, when coming to a reality check, it is important to manage time in online programs. Students from Kolkata often study on weekends, and it requires a fixed weekly schedule to maintain a track of study from the comfort of a remote location.
Participating in Live Webinars and Doubt-Clearing Sessions
For the students pursuing online programs, the top universities arrange for live webinars with industrial experts and doubt-clearing sessions are also held. These sessions are highly recommended because:
- They provide flexibility, and the sessions can be held in the evenings or even on weekends.
- Students get real-time exposure to the challenges faced in industrial sectors and work on the solutions.
- Regular participation increases the understanding of the students, and they can expand their networking.
Assignment Submissions and Continuous Evaluation
The online MBA courses include continuous evaluation of the students rather than just final exams, unlike conventional offline MBA programs. The students are required to:
- Submit the assignments every weekllaborate in the group projects in online mode.
- Participate in practice quizzes and internal assessments.
It is recommended to set study hours per week to prevent the workload, which is most often underestimated. It is important to meet the submission deadlines of the assignments and quizzes.
Elective Selection and Specialisation
The students are required to choose a specialisation of their choice in the third semester. The most popular specialisations among the students studying in the Kolkata-based universities are:
- HR Management
- Finance
- Business Analytics
- Marketing
- International Business
- Healthcare Management
- Digital Marketing
The students must consult the career counsellors and mentors allocated from industries before finalising the specialisation of their choice. The students should ensure that the specialisation offers a promising career scope rather than just popularity.
Capstone Project or Virtual Internship
The online MBA courses often include capstone projects rather than just a conventional dissertation, as in the offline MBA programs. It allows students to gain experience in real-time problem solving. Other universities may also provide virtual internships in the corporate world.
- The students get the opportunity to work under a mentor who provides personalised guidance. Or a supervisor is allocated to the students.
- The project duration is usually 8-12 weeks.
- The projects enhance the value of a resume, especially beneficial for those wanting a career switch.
Exam Phase: Online Proctored Tests
The final exams are held online through webca,m and even open-book exams in some cases.
- The exams are properly timed.
- Students are continuously monitored to prevent any unfair means.
- Mock exams are held for practice to make students comfortable with the format.
- Some universities use complex AI-based systems to ensure fair conduct.
Placement Support and Career Guidance
The Kolkata-based universities help in placement assistance by providing:
- Virtual workshops for resume building.
- Mock interviews
- Virtual placement drives
- Access to the alumni network
Popular Online MBA Universities Accepting Students from Kolkata
Conclusion
The online academic journey begins with enrollment in online MBA courses in Kolkata-based universities, but ultimately, the students have to be self-disciplined and actively engage in the coursework. A proper weekly plan is recommended for self-study. The universities also provide placement help, fair examinations, diversity of specialisations and robust student support to make their journey smooth.
