Every few months, we ask our Wizard with Words a question concerning academics. So we asked Dr Bhaskar Das an education-related brand in the March 20 edition of Das ka Dum. Read on…

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Q. This is the time when a lot of people decide on what postgrad course they should take? Would you still recommend an MBA as against a pure science/ humanities degree which is a deep dive as against a ‘khichdi’?

A. While doing any course, it cannot follow a calendar or time. It has to follow the inclination of the concerned individual. Where her/his interest lies and where are the opportunities for skilled personal. It is no longer possible to have just one qualification and do multiple jobs as job requirements are continually changing due to accelerated technological change and evolution of corporate requirements

One cannot gloss over a reality that a skill once acquired can serve a purpose of a full lifetime of a career.

The issue is not of doing or not doing an MBA. The curriculum of an MBA has gone through constant adjustments after consultations with industry requirements. So what one has seen an MBA in my time and today has seen a huge difference in pedagogy. Today, the focus is on data science, analytics, blockchain, problem solving, design thinking et al which are actually the flavours of the season in the job market. Even that cannot guarantee a lifelong job because the pace of change is mind-numbing and every two years, if not less, an employee has to plan for a pivot to a new career. Or a new sector. Unless the concerned employee continuously upskills for the new job requirement.

Human beings can’t compete with machines in terms of efficiency and speed, so any job that is repeated twice or any job that has a intermediary would be replaced by machine. Or will get replaced by machines or in the process of getting replaced. Instead of getting panicky about it, one should consider it as an advantage, and continuously upskill to face a rainy day, as and when it arrives.

Net-net the objective should be clear before deciding on the course. and plan for horizontal and vertical depth of expertise to remain perpetually relevant.