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What path should I choose ?
Hello! I am currently pursuing BBA Business Analytics 3rd year. Parents want me to go for CAT (MBA exam in India) so I started taking coaching but I feel like it would be better to go for college placements or a job before doing masters. But I've already started coaching so I feel obliged to focus on CAT. I also have the option of going abroad for masters since I have family there and this is something I really want to do but it requires me to focus on completely different things so I'm just very confused and overwhelmed on what to do. My college is doing a lot of events and activties related to placements and just managing those with my CAT coaching and college studies has been tough
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13 answers
Updated
Viraj’s Answer
You're in an exciting spot with lots of good choices ahead. It can feel a bit overwhelming, but don't worry about having it all figured out right now. Your BBA in Business Analytics is giving you a solid start, and everything you're doing—like classes, events, and internships—is helping you gain important skills. It's perfectly fine if your interests change as you learn more about yourself and what you want.
Instead of stressing about finding the "perfect" path, give yourself the freedom to explore and learn. Many successful careers come from a mix of choices and experiences over time. Remember, your career journey is long, not something you need to rush through. Keep an open mind, continue building your skills, and trust that understanding often comes with time. You're already doing a great job investing in your future, and that's a fantastic place to be.
Instead of stressing about finding the "perfect" path, give yourself the freedom to explore and learn. Many successful careers come from a mix of choices and experiences over time. Remember, your career journey is long, not something you need to rush through. Keep an open mind, continue building your skills, and trust that understanding often comes with time. You're already doing a great job investing in your future, and that's a fantastic place to be.
Thank you so much for the advice! I should take my time with everything like you said, I had just been feeling like I was running out of time but this made me realize that I can take time to figure things out
Shazia
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
Hi Shazia! I get that you're feeling both excited and confused. Try to see the great opportunities ahead instead of feeling overwhelmed. It might help to look into the job market in the field you want to work in. Find out what skills or qualifications companies are looking for. If you want to start your own business, think about what skills your target market needs. Studying abroad is a great chance to stand out. Companies are looking for people who can work across cultures, speak different languages, and have international experience. If you can find a study abroad program that covers what the CAT would test, your parents might be more open to it.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Shazia
Updated
Falgun’s Answer
Gaining a few years of work experience before pursuing an MBA can be really beneficial.
Thank you for letting me know!
Shazia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Shazia. You need to decide which option best matches your long-term goals. Since you are studying Business Analytics, getting a job through campus placements before pursuing a master's can be a good choice. It allows you to gain practical experience, build your skills, and earn an income. Many students also find that work experience helps them perform better in an MBA or master's program later.
If studying abroad is your long-term goal, start researching the admission requirements now. You may need to prepare for English proficiency tests, build your resume, and gain relevant work experience. Having family abroad could also make the transition easier.
If studying abroad is your long-term goal, start researching the admission requirements now. You may need to prepare for English proficiency tests, build your resume, and gain relevant work experience. Having family abroad could also make the transition easier.
Updated
Donna’s Answer
Shazia:
I am in total agreement with Viraj's answer. Being overwhelmed and wondering what is the next step to take is just a part of being an adult. There will be many times you feel like this in your life.
Be patient with yourself and the things going on around you. You say you have started coaching, so at some point you made the decision to follow your parents advise to take the CAT (MBA exam). Ask yourself how much longer is that commitment.
Options of going abroad for Masters is awesome! Does that go away in 6 month or two years? If not that can be a future goal.
Working in your career field. It sounds like you have a very supportive family. Opportunities may arise through your tutoring and studies for your CAT exams. It is proven that most individuals find employment through their network of acquaintances. So have faith that you are where you should be in this moment in time. Build your network. Be patient with yourself and the process.
I am in total agreement with Viraj's answer. Being overwhelmed and wondering what is the next step to take is just a part of being an adult. There will be many times you feel like this in your life.
Be patient with yourself and the things going on around you. You say you have started coaching, so at some point you made the decision to follow your parents advise to take the CAT (MBA exam). Ask yourself how much longer is that commitment.
Options of going abroad for Masters is awesome! Does that go away in 6 month or two years? If not that can be a future goal.
Working in your career field. It sounds like you have a very supportive family. Opportunities may arise through your tutoring and studies for your CAT exams. It is proven that most individuals find employment through their network of acquaintances. So have faith that you are where you should be in this moment in time. Build your network. Be patient with yourself and the process.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Shazia
Updated
Lokesh’s Answer
First, it's important to acknowledge that feeling overwhelmed is normal given your situation and outside pressures. It's understandable if you feel unsure about your direction. While there may be expectations from your parents, it's crucial to focus on what you truly want. You have many career options available to you. Here’s my advice: 1) Identify what you want to do. 2) Take small, manageable steps. 3) Try not to let pressure from your parents or society influence your decisions.
Updated
Martin’s Answer
It's exciting to have choices, even if they can be a bit confusing. Going to school and actually working in the field are very different experiences. It's great that you're thinking about getting some work experience before more schooling. This will help you see if you truly enjoy the field and discover other areas you might want to focus on. You also have the option to stay local or go abroad, which is thrilling. I recommend getting hands-on experience first before deciding your next step. Remember, make the decision that feels right for you. Listen to advice from parents, counselors, and teachers, but choose what fits you best. It's wonderful to have options and support!
Thank you! The advice is really helpful
Shazia
Updated
Anuj’s Answer
A strong strategy is to build clarity in stages: explore options, develop foundational skills, get real feedback from professionals, and reflect on what energizes you. This evidence-based process helps you choose confidently and grow steadily.
Thank you for the advice.
Shazia
Updated
Navneet’s Answer
Prioritize college placements right now. In India, top MBA colleges (via CAT) heavily favor candidates with 1–2 years of work experience, and it gives you a safety net if CAT doesn't go as planned.
Fortunately, preparing for placements and CAT share the same foundation: Aptitude, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning. Use your coaching to ace your college placement tests.
Work for a year or two. This gives you time to build your profile, earn money, and decide whether you want to use that experience to pivot to a global Master's abroad or aim for an Indian MBA
Fortunately, preparing for placements and CAT share the same foundation: Aptitude, Data Interpretation, and Logical Reasoning. Use your coaching to ace your college placement tests.
Work for a year or two. This gives you time to build your profile, earn money, and decide whether you want to use that experience to pivot to a global Master's abroad or aim for an Indian MBA
That makes sense and that'll also make sure that my coaching doesn't go to waste, thank you!
Shazia
Updated
Rod’s Answer
Sounds like you have great options ahead of you. There are three potential paths ahead of you:
1. Move forward with coaching and take the CAT.
2. Take the CAT and potentially defer applying to grad school or applying with deferred acceptance (i.e., getting accepted and pushing out school for a year to pursue your own pursuits or working). Not sure if this is an option in your country; it is in the U.S.
3. Stop studying for the CAT and aim for a job/internship.
I agree with other folks that work experience can only help you. At a high-level, it can confirm if your intended career path is the right path for you, or it can inspire a different job path into something else. It took me a while to find something I wanted to pursue as a career. At one point, I looked at going to business school, as well, but thought that my previous trajectory would be me on par or past someone with an MBA.
1. Move forward with coaching and take the CAT.
2. Take the CAT and potentially defer applying to grad school or applying with deferred acceptance (i.e., getting accepted and pushing out school for a year to pursue your own pursuits or working). Not sure if this is an option in your country; it is in the U.S.
3. Stop studying for the CAT and aim for a job/internship.
I agree with other folks that work experience can only help you. At a high-level, it can confirm if your intended career path is the right path for you, or it can inspire a different job path into something else. It took me a while to find something I wanted to pursue as a career. At one point, I looked at going to business school, as well, but thought that my previous trajectory would be me on par or past someone with an MBA.
Updated
Anand’s Answer
Hi Shazia,
It's great to have options! You can either dive into an exciting job through college placement or consider an MBA program. I personally believe a graduate degree, especially an MBA, is valuable, but the right timing is different for everyone.
From my own experience, having 2-4 years of work experience before doing an MBA can really help you get the most out of it. Without that, some topics might seem too theoretical.
Talk with your parents and maybe chat with a local graduate student counselor to help you decide.
Best wishes,
Anand
It's great to have options! You can either dive into an exciting job through college placement or consider an MBA program. I personally believe a graduate degree, especially an MBA, is valuable, but the right timing is different for everyone.
From my own experience, having 2-4 years of work experience before doing an MBA can really help you get the most out of it. Without that, some topics might seem too theoretical.
Talk with your parents and maybe chat with a local graduate student counselor to help you decide.
Best wishes,
Anand
Thank you sir! It's been hard to talk to my parents about this since according to them I've fully commited to CAT but will try
Shazia
Updated
Jane’s Answer
You have some great options, and many will still be there in a few years. An MBA might be more beneficial after gaining some work experience.
If you decide to study abroad for your master's, what subject would you choose? I spent six months in Italy working in academic research and while living abroad was challenging, it boosted my confidence and improved my resume.
Do any of your tutors have connections for work experience, even unpaid?
Why did you choose the BBA in Business Analytics? What parts did you enjoy the most? This might help you decide what to study next.
If you decide to study abroad for your master's, what subject would you choose? I spent six months in Italy working in academic research and while living abroad was challenging, it boosted my confidence and improved my resume.
Do any of your tutors have connections for work experience, even unpaid?
Why did you choose the BBA in Business Analytics? What parts did you enjoy the most? This might help you decide what to study next.
Abroad would be for masters in business analytics or something similar since that's what I'm most interested in. But that's also probably my last option since getting work experience here would probably be a good idea compared to spending a lot studying abroad.
And I don't know anyone who will has connections for work experience, so will solely have to rely on placements and regular job applications so that's one thing to worry about. I'm really interested in all the subjects and topics my degree offers though, so I'm willing to work hard to get a job in those fields
Shazia
hi Shazia. If you are still studying BBA Business Analytics, have you asked your teachers for any contacts for work placements doing business analytics? Are you clear on the role you would want? Are you thinking about being a Business Analyst or Product Manager? Or are you more interested in data analysis?
Can you identify some companies you'd like to work for and look at the type of roles they are recruiting for? Some of the most successful business analysts/product managers in my company started out in customer support or testing roles, then moved into product roles from there. They'd built up knowledge and customer skills in those entry-level roles and that helped them move successfully into product roles.
Jane Naish
Updated
Jinju’s Answer
Hi Shazia,
Your question took me back several years, when I was in a very similar situation. I cleared CAT and pursued my MBA right after graduating in Computer Science Engineering. Today I work as a user researcher.
Based on my own experience, I would advise against pursuing an MBA as a fresher, even if you clear CAT on your first attempt. I was tempted to do that since I wasn't confident I would be able to crack CAT again in the future.
The thing is, you need a certain level of work experience and exposure before you can make an informed decision about your career path. That clarity comes only with experience. Even if you already have a fair idea of where you want to pursue your masters and in which discipline, you'll still discover many options once you start working.
I would recommend working for at least 2–3 years. It will help you understand whether you're in the right field, build a professional network, learn how the corporate world actually works, and gain a realistic understanding of different roles, career paths, and growth opportunities.
Get a taste of the real world first, and then decide if an MBA is the right next step. You might even realize that your calling lies elsewhere, or you may choose a specialization that aligns much better with your long-term goals.
Your question took me back several years, when I was in a very similar situation. I cleared CAT and pursued my MBA right after graduating in Computer Science Engineering. Today I work as a user researcher.
Based on my own experience, I would advise against pursuing an MBA as a fresher, even if you clear CAT on your first attempt. I was tempted to do that since I wasn't confident I would be able to crack CAT again in the future.
The thing is, you need a certain level of work experience and exposure before you can make an informed decision about your career path. That clarity comes only with experience. Even if you already have a fair idea of where you want to pursue your masters and in which discipline, you'll still discover many options once you start working.
I would recommend working for at least 2–3 years. It will help you understand whether you're in the right field, build a professional network, learn how the corporate world actually works, and gain a realistic understanding of different roles, career paths, and growth opportunities.
Get a taste of the real world first, and then decide if an MBA is the right next step. You might even realize that your calling lies elsewhere, or you may choose a specialization that aligns much better with your long-term goals.