Distance learning: Hot or not?

You are a young, working professional and want to add value to your resume.

You want to pursue an MBA or some other professional course.

But making adequate time for a full-time programme is impossible due to the demands of your job.

Should you consider taking up a distance learning programme? How valid are distance learning programmes today?

Here is what Rediff columnist and editor of JAM magazine Rashmi Bansal who chatted with Get Ahead readers had to say: 'I stress that distance learning courses may add to your knowledge base. And it is an additional CV point but a weak one. A full time MBA always has the most value. If that is not possible, a part time course with some classroom contact is desirable over a 100 per cent correspondence course.'

For those of you who missed the chat, here is the transcript:

Part II: Want a career in the media?

Rashmi says, Hello everyone!

shka asked, Should school interviews for children be banned?

Rashmi answers, Shikha, I do think interviews put too much pressure on young children. A lottery system is more fair and is being used by some schools successfully.

shivani asked, hi rashmi . my daughter is 6 yrs old . im presetly based out of india . in few mnths down the line we would be shifting to india, earlier my daughter was studying in a convent school . what i want to know is , what would be the basis of selection for her admission to the 2nd standard . is it posible to secure a seat in convent school, by way of donation in the middle of the session around, nov , december . kindly advice

Rashmi answers, Many schools conduct an entrance test if the child seeks admission in any class other pre-primary. Whether they admit you mid-session depends on a case-to-case basis. To be very blunt, 'pull' may be required.

ashish asked, hi rashmi what are your views regarding this ongoing reservation..will it help india in shining..or india will just carry on with Training all these people who are joining the bandwagon even without the knowledge what they will do....Y this reservation...????

Rashmi answers, I think the concept of a creamy layer must be applied to any and all reservation schemes, whether for SC/ ST or OBC. Only those who have faced disadvantages should be given benefits. Otherwise, this policy will breed resentment and divide the young people of this country.

Saji asked, HI reshmi. reservayion is required or not. I think it is required for uplifting economically n socially backword ppl not any caste.

Rashmi answers, Saji, you are right there. Caste cannot be the sole criteria for reservations.

pralay asked, hey rashmi, Pralay Bakshi here in London. Dropped in to say hello...

Rashmi answers, hi Pralay! What a surprise.

shekhar asked, How fare it is to conduct parents interview for getting admission to his child ?

Rashmi answers, These interviews are held because schools want to pre-select the children from 'good' families who are more likely to succeed. And that is what parents today want as well, that their child goes to a school where all the kids are of the same social background. So we are to blame as well, to an extent. It's a vicious cycle.

RKT asked, hello mam i am an aspirant of IIT-JEE u have done ur graduation from iim i want to know whether u joined any coaching institute and how many hrs did u worked for preparation on daily basis. can i go for CAT or any management paper AFTER doing my B.TECH from PTU? PLS REPLY TO ALL

Rashmi answers, First of all, you are years away from taking CAT. Why worry about that from now? You have to be in your final year of graduation or a graduate. So, first, concentrate on getting into a good engineering college. In the intervening four years, build up your confidence and personality. Take part in as many college activities as you can. Read a lot -- that goes a much longer way than mugging up word lists six months before CAT. Six months to one year before you plan to take CAT you can join coaching -- they will gude you. Meanwhile, chill. And good luck!

aggarwalm asked, hi rashmi,how r u? can u let me know that wats the scope of mba from IGNOU . How is this considered by the employers?

Rashmi answers, An MBA from IGNOU does not have much value in the job market per se. That is the problem with distance education -- the benefit from it is purely in terms of knowledge and not 'chhaapa'. You can go for it but keep this in mind. Only if you are a very self-motivated person will you gain from such a course. Another option may be a part-time MBA. That has slightly more value than distance learning. But if you can go for a full-time MBA -- that's always the best option.

Ambrish asked, Hi Rashmi, just wanted to know your academin background before IIMA

Rashmi answers, Hi Ambrish. I did my BA in Economics from Sophia College in Mumbai and joined IIM-A as a fresher. I do think in retrospect some work experience is necessary to truly benefit from an MBA.

saraf asked, You have quoted in numerous articles that children are compelled by their parents to fall into line with either Medicine/Engineering and that people have aptitudes for other things too. How does one find out his/her aptitude for certain things?

Rashmi answers, Saraf, this is a tricky question. How should I put it? Each one of us has an inner voice. But, most of the time, we cannot hear it. We learn to suppress it because often it tells us things we don't wish to accept. Or things that would make our parents unhappy. You have to learn to tune in to that voice. And you have to be able to also know that while it's great to take advice from different people -- ultimately it's your life to live. And you must choose the path that makes you happy. Try sitting still and just thinking about the many things that make you sad, make you happy. Try out many different kinds of things in life so you get a better idea of what turns you on. If you look and listen hard enough, you will find the answer. Good luck!

Haresh asked, Hi Rashmi, I have a 2 year old daughter. Do u think that its better to put ur child in a school with toppers, or in a school which imparts overall development?

Rashmi answers, Haresh, it depends on what you are comfortable with. I would prefer a school which stresses on overall development. Because, in the long run, topping the class is not enough. Being a happy, sociable and resilient human being is what matters!

Kamesh asked, Rashmi, there is one question that is troubling me a lot since so many years. The question is: SC/ST People are given reservation, and that should be applicable for things like concession, rebate and other things, but how far it is correct to discount even the pass marks for major examination. It is absolutely absurd and atrocious. Its like an SC/ST candidate gets a pass mark he is awarded Engineer/Medicine Seat, where as other Class/Forward class people have to really struggle hard. How far do you judge this ?

Rashmi answers, Kamesh, a slight relaxation in entry level marks is acceptable in my opinion. However if there is too much relaxation then the admitted candidates themselves find it difficult to cope with the system. The answer lies in helping the disadvantaged at the school stage. You may have heard of the success story of a coaching class in Bihar which admits only 30 underprivileged but very bright students for JEE coaching. I believe all 30 made it to IIT last year!

Yuva asked, what do u think is the optimum experience one should have before going for an MBA?

Rashmi answers, Yuva, I think two to four years is ideal as far as pre-MBA work experience goes.

Jam asked, Hi Rashmi, Are you aware of any specific Business/Financial Research methods course? Seeing the increase in KPO sector it seems viable..

Rashmi answers, No, I'm not aware of any such specific course. Most KPOs end up employing MBAs/ CAs and training them in the specific methods required for the job.

pintu asked, hi rashmi how r u? i want to ask about the distance learning course in marketing management and which institute is offrring the same does it has value in market, as i am working professional, whether it is beneficial to me

Rashmi answers, Again, I will stress that distance learning is a course which may add to your knowledge base. And it is an additional CV point but a weak one. A full time MBA always has the most value. If that is not possible, a part-time course with some classroom contact is desirable over a 100 per cent correspondence course.

apurva asked, hi rashmi i read ur aricles on business schools want to know that i am planning to do my mba from IIpm should i go ahead as my many frnds got awesome placements last year from IIPM??

Rashmi answers, It's up to you, really. I don't know how you define 'awesome' placements but this institute ranks low in my estimation. There are a large number of other institutes which I think offer a better quality of education at a more reasonable price, and have more brand name value.

Part II: Want a career in the media?

Rashmi's earlier columns:

Rashmi Bansal is a graduate of IIM Ahmedabad and founder-editor of the popular youth magazine JAM (http://www.jammag.com/).

She can be reached at rashmi@jammag.com