Should work experience be a mandatory requirement?

With the fast-paced corporate world among the top choices of business (and other majors) graduates in today's world, the rush to gain yet another landmark in education is in the trend now, alongside the necessity. Almost every university and business school in Bangladesh offers direct Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes to its recent and fresh graduates without any gaps or experience whatsoever. That, being the norm of this country may seem somewhat different for other business school majors pursuing MBAs outside of Bangladesh. Now, there is a growing consensus that practical work experience may be an important factor to a successful MBA programme after all.

Although not common in Bangladesh, this is not just a trend but a well-established norm in many developed countries with education systems. The shift that can be considered to make work experience mandatory could work to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and its practical applications. It may also be the push that may increase the value and impact of MBA degrees in the country.

In developed countries, MBA programmes typically require candidates to have essential work experience before they can get admission. For instance, the top MBA programmes in the United States of America, such as those at Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, expect applicants to have at least three to five years of professional experience. This requirement ensures that students have the wealth of practical knowledge and real-world insights concerning their studies.

Similarly, in the United Kingdom, programmes like those at London Business School and the University of Cambridge Judge Business School have similar requirements. They prioritise candidates with work experience, typically ranging from three to seven years of being in the workforce.

India follows a somewhat comparable trend in this matter. Institutions like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) also value work experience, often expecting two to five years of professional background. Like IIMs, most of the business schools in India prefer the graduates to have a minimum of two to three years of experience for MBA enrollment. However, there are many business schools in India that do not consider prior work experience as an eligibility criteria for MBA admission.

In Bangladesh, MBA programmes have increasingly become platforms for business orientation for graduates from non-business backgrounds. On the other hand, more and more students are taking on BBA or business subjects in the undergrad; even those students enrol directly to the MBA programmes and make it work like an extension of their graduate life of sorts. This has resulted in focusing on theoretical knowledge more rather than practical experience.

Many MBA graduates in Bangladesh end up in entry-level positions, filling roles that could be occupied by individuals with non-business backgrounds as well. MBA graduates might find themselves starting as junior officers in banks or manufacturing firms, roles that do not contribute to strengthening their advanced business education.

However, this trend suggests disconnection between the educational experience of a student and the professional needs of the industry. The gap in work experience and advanced pace of the industry means that many graduates enter the job market without the practical skills and insights that come from real-world experience. In short, MBA programmes are designed to answer the advanced and more in-depth problems and strategies that are necessary to the industry. But if an individual does not have work experience with the industry, how can they point where the gaps in knowledge actually lie?

Now, requiring work experience for MBA admissions has several advantages. It can ensure that students have real-world insights. Students with professional backgrounds possess practical perspectives to the classroom and to the discussions enriching the learning experience for them all. It may also be a great tool to make friends in the industry, network more efficiently, and get connected to industry leaders. Professional experience allows fresh graduates to build industry connections, which can be invaluable for future career opportunities and doing MBA after that can help them grow, network better or even switch industries or careers. With prior work experience, students are better equipped to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. It can increase the practical value of the words in theory.

By incorporating mandatory work experience into Bangladesh's MBA programmes could help shift the dynamic of 'theory only' education of the system here. The frustrations of a BBA graduate from any grad school is realised through another year or two of being an educational expert without stepping foot into the industry.

An MBA with a work experience requirement would support career advancement and boost up productivity. It may also help in enabling graduates to move into higher-level roles or switch career paths more effectively. With experienced candidates, MBA programmes in Bangladesh would gain credibility and relevance, making them more attractive to prospective students and employers. This shows a huge potential of making the industry and academia compatible and relatable, aka help them to know what they want to truly pursue their careers in, how to tackle workplace challenges more effectively, and getting to mingle with people of diverse business interests.

It may be far from implementing it fully in Bangladesh just yet, but there is hope. Infusing MBA programmes with mandatory work experience could turn them from academic sanctuaries into real-world launching pads, propelling graduates with the hands-on savvy to not just enter but conquer the business world.

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