Many MBA aspirants set goals of becoming a CEO in future. They often wonder, “Can a 25 Lakh MBA Make You a CEO?“. A 25 lakh MBA can give you better job opportunities, industry exposure and a lifelong network. But it does not make you a CEO in a leading company soon after an MBA. It requires years of experience, leadership skills and passion to create an impact. However, an MBA is not the only way to become a CEO. For example, Indrajeet Singh (iQuanta) or Ritesh Agarwal (OYO) never did an MBA. But they are the founders of leading companies in their respective industries. Continue reading to learn more about the role of 25 Lakh MBA in your CEO journey.
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Can a 25 Lakh MBA Make You a CEO?
The MBA fees of top IIMs or B-schools can be around INR 20–25 lakhs. These MBA colleges in India lead you to high-paying jobs and global leadership. So, students often ask, “Will this MBA help me become a CEO?”. In short, yes, it can-but not overnight. There are two ways to become a CEO in a company. In the first one, you need to join the corporate world, where you need to work hard for years. Thereafter, you will secure the position of CEO based on your expertise and leadership skills. The second way is to pursue your entrepreneurial journey after completing an MBA degree, where you start your own company and build your own product that drives revenue and growth. In this article, we have compiled how an expensive MBA transforms your career, real-life examples of both MBA and non-MBA and other key aspects.
What Does a 25 Lakh MBA Offer?
An expensive MBA is not only about classroom learning and submitting assignments. Indeed, an MBA does not guarantee CEO status. It requires strong expertise, adaptability, and top performance over the years. You become CEO not from your degree but with leadership skills and years of experience. Given below are the benefits of pursuing a 25 Lakh MBA course:
- Networking: Get access to alumni networks and industry connections during MBA in top B-schools. It is a gateway to various career opportunities both in India and abroad.
- Skill Development: Many expensive MBA colleges equip students with decision-making and leadership skills. Internships and industry exposure are part of the program.
- Industry Connections: MBA graduates often secure job roles in consulting, FMCG, and finance during campus placements. It is a first step towards a leadership role.
- Confidence: Many alumni credit their MBA degree for their confident mindset. They find it extremely beneficial when leading teams or negotiating deals.
What an MBA Does Not Offer?
Pursuing an MBA from top colleges may give you placements in top companies. But it cannot make you a CEO of a company from day 1. Here are certain things that a 25 Lakh MBA cannot offer to its graduates:
- Immediate leadership authority
- Long-term Vision
- Real-world Entrepreneurial experience
- Industry-specific expertise
- Market understanding
IIM Alumni Who Became CEOs
Here is the list of IIM Alumni who became CEO of successful ventures in recent years:
- Vineeta Singh- (IIM Ahmedabad)-CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics: She rejected a Rs 1 crore job offer to establish her own business. She co-founded SUGAR Cosmetics in 2015 and made it a successful Indian beauty brand.
- Shailesh Jejurikar (IIM Lucknow)-CEO of Procter & Gamble: Shailesh Jejurikar began his journey with Procter & Gamble in 1989 after an MBA from IIM Lucknow. He has been part of the company’s global leadership team since 2014.
- Anish Shah (IIM Ahmedabad)-CEO of Mahindra Group: He became managing director and CEO of the Mahindra Group in April 2021. He has been part of several global leadership positions before becoming a CEO.
Can You Become a CEO Without an MBA?
Yes, there are many of India’s top business leaders who never pursued an MBA Degree. Success today cannot be defined through your MBA degree. What matters is your impact, real-world problem-solving skills and innovative ideas. Here is the list of top leaders who became CEO without an MBA.
- Indrajeet Singh (iQuanta): Indrajeet Singh, popularly referred as the “Wizard of Quants”, is the CEO and founder of iQuanta. He started his journey through a simple Facebook community where he used to solve doubts of CAT aspirants. iQuanta is a leading CAT online coaching in India with record-breaking results.
- Ritesh Agarwal (OYO)- He dropped out of college to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. At the age of 20, he started his company, i.e. OYO rooms, in the year 2013.
Career Path from MBA to CEO
An MBA degree does not automatically secure you a CEO position. It takes around 15 years to get promoted to a CEO position in the corporate world. Here is the career path to becoming a CEO after an MBA:
- 0–5 years: Start with mid-level roles in consulting, product management, finance, etc.
- 5–10 years: Secure a spot in senior management. Begin managing bigger teams and get involved in high-level planning and strategy..
- 10–15 years: Handle business units and establish a solid track record.
- 15+ years: Based on experience and previous year, you may qualify for the CEO role.
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