How important are extracurricular activities at MBA?

Students involved in extracurricular activities are more likely to become leaders, more willing to complete tasks, more willing to voice opinions says a University

Hyderabad|India|August'2010: How important are extracurricular activities at MBA? It looks like they are very important, otherwise business and management colleges wouldn’t have been in hurry to introduce so many activities. They realise that power of learning is by doing. Surveys after surveys reveal that 40% of learning in MBA happens in peer groups.

Sometime back there was a book titled "What They Don't Teach You At Harvard Business School" published. The answer to this question is "how to be street" says its author Mark H. McCormack in the book. What it seems we need along with the business school education is the street knowledge that comes from the day-to-day experience of running a business and managing people, says he in that book. The book was a great hit so much so that somebody had to bring out an another book "What they really teach in Harward Business School" as a sequel to it.

The Bookish knowledge is bookish knowledge and it takes that far only. It alone will not help in life. What matters after that is how one uses the knowledge in real life. And one also need those skills which help him or her to be absorbed by the industry readily.

India today has 2500 management colleges and 25 high quality Business schools like IIMs and ISB etc. Though many graduate out of these institutions, not more than 25% are employable, a NASSCOM study revealed some time back.

But, how far MBA colleges geared up to groom management graduates whom industry can absorb quickly. We need MBAs that offer training mapped to Industry requirement. Employability skills which are best learnt when classroom replicates key features of real work. And faculty's role must be to facilitate and coach rather than lecture. So the management faculty must make its students to take much of the responsibility of their own learning. Students must take responsibility to be a constant learner.

So business colleges are gearing up to develop employability skills in its management students. It is found that subject knowledge is useful only 15% and what really matters in gaining employment is soft skills which matters 85%.

Besides series of lectures, discussions, workshops and group practice sessions it is required to develop essential skills for leadership like effective listening, communication, presentation, team building, assertiveness and problem solving etc.

So colleges are all geared up to offer Soft Skills to bridge the gap between Academic Education and Industry requirements.

Some institutions even feel that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. They are extending classroom beyond campus. Life in campus is totally different now. Indian School of Business(ISB) on joining, puts all students to go through the Leadership Development Programme (LDP) to inculcates a spirit of team play and leadership. It has student clubs, community services, business and art programmes etc and other extracurricular activities.

Life at Singapore Institute of Management Global Education isn’t all work and no play. Over 50 arts, cultural, special interests and sports clubs as well as round-the-year student activities exist for community bonding, personal growth and networking says the institute.

Unitedworld School of Business is offering one year internship at its Singapore campus.

Extracurricular activities can empower students to make their own decisions and help them gain vital experience and skills to lead them on the path to their future.

Today companies hire management consultants to solve their problems. Mangements look for such consultants only who play a leadership role in their own life informs Mr. Naresh Reddy, Alumni - IIM Bangalore.

MBA is a Mind Brain Activation said Prof. Anamitra Chatterjee, Alumni of IIM-C and Prof Executive Education of London School of Business.

According to the Montana State University, students involved in extracurricular activities are more likely to become leaders, more willing to complete tasks, more willing to voice opinions, and more likely to graduate from high school and have annual incomes of more than $50,000. Extracurricular activities are also a good way to explore social, political, and career interests.

Extracurricular activities help students gain experience in a variety of areas that will enhance their future. Through participation in sports, students learn cooperation, teamwork and time management. By serving as an officer in an organization, students learn responsibility, problem solving and communication. Extracurricular activities can also help students discover hidden talents, meet people they might otherwise not encounter, and learn about things outside their own environment.

Extracurricular activities are great fun. At the time of college admission or job interview applications extra curricular activities reveal glimpse of students life-style and personality. Your list of activities will be a track record that tells something about students participation, but also about his or her commitment to a goal, depth of interests, and attitude.

-August'' 2010