Some new and innovative undergraduate courses have recently made their advent which have started giving the MBA courses a run for their money, says DR TARUN PASRICHA

It's a widely held belief that a post graduate degree in management is essential if one has pursue a career in the corporate sector. What is less known, however, is that some new, innovative undergraduate courses have recently made their advent which have started giving the MBA courses a run for their money. In particular, the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) course is emerging as the passport to success in a managerial or entrepreneurial career. So, after finishing 12 years of schooling, it takes just 4 more years of undergraduate study with a global business school and you are well on your way to launching into a career in management.

But you need to do some advance planning to maximise the opportunities provided by a world-class BBA programme and the first step is to choose your college wisely. Unfortunately, the number of institutions offering a good undergraduate degree in India are virtually non-existent.

But recent entry of a few private institutions offers hope to students aspiring for a high-quality undergraduate education. Not only do these institutions employ world class faculty and an internationally recognised curriculum, they also provide global learning.

Here is a snapshot of the curriculum of four-year global BBA course run: Foundation courses in Management, Marketing, Business Communication, Economics and World Cultures. Second year: Advanced courses In Research Methods, Finance, Organization Behavior, Operations, Finance & Accounting and the Decisions Sciences. Third and fourth years: Elective courses in your area of chosen specialisation.

While pursuing the academic curriculum, live projects are part of the curriculum in every international campus. So not only do students learn the theory of business but also its practice. And this gives them the necessary insights to start up a new business not only in India but in virtually every part of the globe. Add to this the numerous internship opportunities available in the different countries during academic breaks, and you have a formula for turning out a business-ready and global-savvy candidate in just four short years after leaving school!

An UG programme is not just about academics — the top colleges also offer you opportunities to develop your personality. Interacting with peers from different countries will hone your cross-cultural team skills. Participating in debates will further enhance your public speaking skills and confidence.

Take advantage of the in-house counselling services provided by the great colleges. Not only do they provide career advice but also put you through a battery of tests to improve your soft skills. Personalized, one-to-one consultancy sessions can be a great away to improve yourself in multiple dimensions.

Go for exchange programs - many colleges offer exchange program where you could spend a semester in another school in Europe, USA and other parts of the world. A great opportunity to expose yourself to different methods of teaching and take subjects not offered in your home university.

Therefore, if you choose your college wisely, a BBA degree can give you global exposure, broaden your horizon and put you firmly on the path of becoming a future leader.