Hotel Management to a full-time MBA (from IIMs/ISB/other Non-IIM institutes)

Hotel management is a highly sought-after undergraduate program for students who are passionate about the hospitality industry. It is an exciting field that offers a wide range of career opportunities in hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, and many other areas. However, for those looking to further their education, an MBA is the next logical step but this journey is not as straightforward for some as it may be for others.

There can be two types of hospitality candidates aspiring for further studies;

In this article, we will only talk about the second set of candidates who wish to do a general MBA and make a shift to another industry or domain. They don’t wish to only limit themselves to just one industry. For the first set of candidates, who want to specialize further in hospitality, refer this link and also stay tuned for my upcoming posts.

If I talk about myself, after passing out, I decided to pursue MBA but was unsure if it should be a general full-time MBA or a master’s in Hospitality. This was almost a decade back although I pursued MBA much later stage in my career. But at that time I decided that doing a general MBA would be a better option and whoever I spoke to, about my MBA plan, below were the responses.

• If you are a hotel management undergraduate then you can only grow your career in the hotel industry you cannot move out of the industry
• Hotel management graduates cannot do a general MBA as it will result in changing a career track. If they want to pursue further education then they can only do a master’s/MBA in hospitality
• If you do a general MBA, you will waste your future career because you are not sticking to what you have already done in your under graduation

And the list goes on and these responses were all alike from friends, relatives, classmates, colleagues and senior leaders, professors etc.

‘Technology can change the world’ and indeed it really changed my world because it was the internet and LinkedIn which helped me to find out that the above misconceptions do not hold. I first checked if there is anyone who is a hotel management undergrad and has pursued MBA from premier institutes (like IIMs/other non-IIMs and ISB). And guess what, I found many. And I find that it is not that uncommon for a hospitality undergrad to pursue a general MBA nowadays.

Hurdles faced and possible ways to address them:

· Lack of knowledge/education: Some of the students don’t even know if they can pursue management studies further because they have already committed themselves to work in the hotel industry lifelong. It is important that we keep ourselves informed by talking to our surroundings and especially those at higher levels, also keep reading online.

· No clarity on functional area: Which functional area to pursue as a full-time career later in the stage is another hurdle faced. This applies both to students and working candidates who are not sure about which function is best suitable for them in the long term. Some working candidates may find the transition from an existing function to a desired function to be difficult. There is a constant pressure to stick to the traditional roles. Best idea would be to evaluate each and every functional area with respect to your skills and desire to work. Also, see in short term and long term how it can elevate your profile and open doors to other new areas.

· Permanent career digression: Many candidates think that doing a general MBA will end their hospitality career and this is not true. I personally know people and also have come across LinkedIn profiles of many hospitality undergraduates who after completing their full-time general MBA went back to the hospitality industry to work in a leadership team in the areas like Revenue Management, Feasibility analysis, Marketing, HR etc. and some even started their own business venture.

· Best time to start an MBA: When to start an MBA? Well, there is no ideal time to start an MBA. Some may think about starting an MBA right after passing out from their undergraduate others may think it is best to work in the industry for a few years and then start MBA. Decision is totally up to you and kind of options that you get after clearing the MBA entrance exams and personal interviews.

· How to proceed?: It is important to note that almost all the general MBA programs require you to clear entrance exams along with group discussions and personal interviews. You need to have an understanding of – What are the different entrance exams for MBA, for eg. GMAT, CAT, XAT, NMAT, CET, CMAT and their applicability?

Do you need coaching assistance to prepare for these entrance exams? how to get one? Should you opt for online or offline coaching? Are any free study materials available online? There are end number of options available online to help you with the coaching and there are also free study materials and YouTube videos available for you to begin the preparation.

How long should I dedicate myself to preparing for these entrance exams? Especially for someone who is not in touch with Mathematics. This one is tricky to answer, for some, a few months of preparation is enough and for some, it may take a year or a few. I would say it is best to not spend too much time in preparation and clear the entrance exams at the earliest to begin your MBA journey. Some even take gap year/s for a full-time preparation (I did too!) but it would always be suggested to prepare while doing a job as you have nothing to lose even if you are not successful in your initial attempts.

· Lack of career guidance: I feel career guidance at the college level, peer level and on the internet should be made more accessible and especially for unconventional streams (like hospitality, chemistry, pharmacy, bio-science etc.) where opting for a general MBA for a student is very uncommon and if they seek any guidance in this regard then they should be able to get help easily and quickly. And this can only be done by writing, communicating and sharing such articles – as we are doing right now!

· Missing Role Models: One of the big challenges that budding hotel undergrads face is that they do not have enough role models. Because of the lack of role models, it is difficult for them to visualize what would success look like. They also have difficulty in finding mentors and coaches who share similar backgrounds and can groom them by providing meaningful feedbacks. They also struggle to find insightful articles and literature that can provide insights into their professional and personal challenges.

· Lack of Access to Professional Networks: Access to professional networks is crucial for career advancement, especially in industries like hospitality, where relationships and connections play a significant role. Unfortunately, many professionals in the hospitality industry face barriers to accessing these networks.

For example, those in entry-level positions in the hospitality industry may not have direct access to the senior hospitality professionals who have had the similar journey of doing an MBA.

This is where our LinkedIn group comes in. We have created a LinkedIn group for hotel management undergrads who want to pursue a full-time flagship MBA program from institutions like IIMs, ISB and other institutes. By joining this community, you are gaining access to a network of like-minded professionals who are all working towards a common goal: advancing their careers. Our group provides a platform for you to connect with others, share insights and experiences, and build relationships that can help you take your career to the next level. Please click on this link here to join this LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9357137/

· Budget and time constraints: Not all MBA programs charge you hefty fees. It would be a good idea to look for institutes with a minimum fee and maximum return on investment. Also, if you have time constraints then you may pursue a one year program instead of a two year program.

After discussing the hurdles and possible ways to address them let us now discuss the reasons why a hotel undergraduate should do MBA. Let’s look at the list of reasons below;

• Prepare yourself for a managerial role. I know it is the most cliched answer but trust me I have seen it myself at MBA campus placement. It does offer you opportunities for managerial roles but your selection depends on meeting the eligibility and the interview process .
• Explore and open doors to new functional areas of your career, such as Sales, marketing, operations, Finance, HR, Data Science etc. It covers a conceptual understanding of various subjects such as accounting, finance, marketing, strategy, operations, and entrepreneurship.
• Keep up with the latest industry trends. This can be in the same industry and others. (E.g. I came across many case studies related to hotel industries)
• Open up a world of opportunities in various sectors. If you just don’t want to limit yourself to one industry and are flexible to explore other new industries
• To gain a solid foundation in business management
• To develop the skills to work in leadership positions within the hospitality industry or in a different industry as preferred by the student
• Opportunity to network with industry leaders, gain exposure to new and innovative ideas and develop leadership skills
• Pursue other research opportunities with the help of world-class faculties
• To develop the analytical and strategic skills needed to excel in the industry
• A valuable asset for those interested in starting their own hospitality business. The program teaches students about entrepreneurship, business strategy, and financial management, which are all critical skills for running a successful business

In conclusion, an undergraduate program in hotel management provides students with a broad understanding of the hospitality industry. However, to excel in the industry and open up a world of opportunities, a full-time MBA from an IIM/ISB or other non IIM institute is the perfect next step. We also looked at the hurdles while pursuing MBA after hotel management and possible ways to address them. Lastly, we discussed the possible reasons why one should pursue MBA after hotel management because it provides students with the necessary business skills and knowledge to work in leadership positions within or outside the industry, and opens up opportunities in various sectors. It is a valuable investment in your career and can help you achieve your professional goals.

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PS: I want to thank all my MBA batchmates (2021-23) here at KJSIM, Mumbai for sharing their inputs with me in writing this article. And for the readers, if you have a suggestion on any addition/amendment to this article or have a suggestion for any other topic please feel free to comment.

Best,
Dhaval