Let’s face it today, at some point, we all confront the harsh reality that our career aspirations don’t always align with the expectations we’ve carried for so long.
Graduates step into the workforce armed with degrees and dreams, only to find that the reality of their new roles can be starkly different from what they imagined.
Many are left grappling with the harsh truth that their education hasn’t equipped them with the skills necessary to thrive in their chosen careers.
This disheartening disconnect between higher education and the job market has raised urgent questions:
Is education truly preparing students for top level jobs and the challenges ahead?
At Narayana Business School, we refuse to let our students face this reality alone. We are committed to transforming education into a powerful catalyst for success, one that not only imparts knowledge but is ROI driven, and builds the confidence and competence needed to navigate the complexities of today’s business world.
Our dedicated team of academic experts conducted thorough research, uncovering invaluable insights that every student and industry employer should know. Keep reading!
Why Is The Workforce Reality Different For Students Now?
Graduates today are stepping into a workforce that is undergoing rapid transformation, with technological advancements reshaping job roles across industries. As automation, artificial intelligence, and digitalization take hold, many are left questioning the relevance of their degrees in this ever-evolving landscape.
A recent study highlighted that 87% of executives are either currently experiencing or expecting to face skill gaps within the next few years. This has led to a staggering 40% of students and employers expressing concern over the lack of alignment between traditional education and industry demands. Graduates increasingly find themselves caught in this skills mismatch, entering jobs that require competencies they never encountered during their academic training.
The Technology Revolution And Shrinking Top Level Jobs
The rise of automation and AI has not only created a skills gap but has also disrupted the very structure of the workforce. The World Economic Forum predicts that 85 million jobs could be displaced by technology by 2025, while another 97 million new jobs may emerge that require entirely new skill sets.
While technology is eliminating many jobs, it’s also creating new opportunities, particularly in top-level positions. However, these roles are often few and far between, and the competition is fierce. Students are frequently sold the dream of landing a top executive position, only to realize that the path is much narrower than they were led to believe.
According to a Harvard Business Review study, less than 10% of MBA graduates reach executive-level positions in their careers. This limited pool leaves many students frustrated, questioning their choices, and even blaming their degrees. The disillusionment that comes with unmet expectations can lead to psychological issues such as self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and career anxiety.
Employers and business leaders frequently express deep sigh over the glaring disconnect between the skills students acquire in college and the competencies they truly need to be job ready.
Narayana Business School with its dynamic, student centric approach towards, and specialized MBA and PGDM programmes caters on adding value to the middle management level, and its working. Keep reading to know more.
What Students Feel About This Shift In The Job Market?
While on it, our team of researchers found numerous arguments which clearly signify the huge gap of demand and supply in terms of skills and talent. For ages, B schools and universities paid heavy attention of placing their graduates on top which often ignored the farce of having a good middle management level.
On a reddit thread, students expressed their confusion, remorse and slight denial as they still found it hard to secure their desired role. Postgraduates often quantify their reward ratio with the time, money and effort they have invested with a B school.
The college degree has been catching a lot of flak lately. Most of the criticism has had to do with the relationship between cost and benefit.
But why is this happening? This is happening as on a macro level, B schools and universities still haven’t updated their curriculum with the changing times, focus heavily on textbook hogging and are able to place 5-10% of the cohort only year on year.
As students struggle to match their academic qualifications to the new world of work, they are left questioning the value of their education, contributing to burnout and disillusionment.
“Having said that, universities could substantially increase the value of the college degree if they spent more time teaching their students critical soft skills” said Tom Chamorro in a Harvard Business Review.
How NBS Is Creating Workforce-Ready Graduates
About two decades ago, academician duo Dr Amit Gupta and Dr Purvi Gupta, laid the foundation of NBS. They sensed this change firsthand and cultivated a B school which is student centric, dynamic and actually prepares students for the real world.
They recognized this upcoming and growing concern and aim to close the gap.
Let’s dive into the narratives:
- Focus On Creating A Strong Middle Management
Don’t get us wrong, students of NBS do get placed at the top of the table, but as is the reality, the strata is thin.
One of the most overlooked but critical areas of business education is the development of effective middle management talent. Majorly required and demanded by top recruiters in 2024, strong middle management is essential for organizational success, as they act as the bridge between top executives and operational teams.
Yet, many companies struggle to find leaders capable of translating executive vision into operational excellence. Why? Because no curricula cater to the overlooked things. We understand that middle managers are often the unsung heroes of any organization, acting as the backbone of day-to-day operations.
Narayana Business School, in all ways, prioritizes middle management training by focusing on the soft skills, strategic thinking, and managerial acumen necessary for success in these pivotal roles.
- Offering Advanced & Specialized MBA/PGDM Programmes
Our curriculum is designed to bridge the disconnect between theory and practice, focusing on real-world applications through immersive case studies, hands-on internships, and collaborations with industry leaders.
The MBA and PGDM programs offered have been co-created with industry giants to make the students 100% adept to the future environment they will soon embark on.
For instance, our PGDM in Quantitative Finance program was co-created with industry experts at EY to provide the best practical and theoretical knowledge to students looking to excel in the finance related field.
Our flagship program, PGDM Dual Specialization is the most advanced post graduate program which offers exposure of 16+ highly demanded industry within just 2 years.
- Driven By ROI – Year On Year
A study by HBR stated, “Fancy Degree Scares Employers Away”. Many top recruiters avoid candidates with high end fancy degrees as it inevitably represents an overinvestment in education that brings with it both higher salary demands and hubris, the report stated. Higher education is a significant investment.
Wish To Calculate The ROI? Check Program fees Here
A study by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce found that a college degree provides a lifetime earnings premium, but the variability in outcomes depends heavily on the alignment between education and the job market.
That’s why we have adopted a student-driven, ROI-focused approach. One of the cornerstones of our curriculum is our emphasis on skill-driven certifications.
These certifications are an integral part of the curriculum, carrying credits and contributing to a student’s academic and professional growth. In collaboration with leading corporates and scaling companies, we ensure that these certifications are aligned with industry standards and trends, giving our students a competitive edge from day one.
Wish To Apply At NBS? Know How To Secure Admission
- Maximizing Placements With Precision Student Mapping
Placements at NBS don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. We know that students have diverse aspirations, and employers seek specific skill sets. That’s why we’ve adopted a placement mapping strategy that ensures each student’s strengths, career goals, and the sectors they aim to work in are matched with the right companies.
Here’s how our placement process works:
- Skill Assessment: We start by conducting a comprehensive assessment of each student’s skills, strengths, and career preferences. This allows us to create a profile for each student that highlights their suitability for specific industries.
- Sector-Based Training: Once students have been grouped based on their sector preferences—be it BFSI, data analytics, consulting, marketing, or any other industry, they undergo targeted training designed to meet the unique needs of that sector. This includes sector-specific soft skills, technical training, and even certifications that will boost their employability.
- Industry Matching: We then match students with companies that are seeking talent with their specific skill sets. Our corporate tie-ups ensure that students are placed in roles where they can excel and grow, rather than being thrust into positions that don’t align with their expertise.
The placement cell makes sure that the targeted industry visit our campus to hire students who have been directly trained for that sector and organization, which all in all increases the chances of students landing their desired role, life and confidence.
Narayana Business School takes a practical approach to this issue by offering an education that emphasizes employability and long-term career growth. In AY 2022-23, the highest package received soured to 20 LPA, while the lateral package reached 32 LPA.
- Providing All The Right Resouces For Career Growth
From industry visits at BSE, capstone projects within the curriculum to participating at Indian Government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan initiative, we work tirelessly to cultivate an environment that drives growth of the entire learning spectrum of students.
We understand that every student’s career journey is unique. Whether a student aspires to be an executive, team leader, or manager, we offer tailored resources to match their individual needs.
Our faculty, comprised of industry veterans and experienced leaders, impart practical knowledge that goes beyond textbooks, ensuring students are well-equipped for roles in both upper and middle management. This attention to personalized education helps our graduates take strategic career steps confidently.
By focusing on developing these bridging capabilities, we are helping to fill a critical gap in many businesses today. Our graduates emerge with the skills to act as connectors within organizations, ensuring that they can not only manage teams but also align them with the company’s broader strategic goals.
Parting thoughts – NBS Set To Bridge The Gap Of Job Market Landscape
As a new age business school, driven by ROI, we’re tackling the disconnect between education and employment head-on. We know fancy degrees alone aren’t enough anymore. That’s why we’ve built our programs around what actually matters in today’s job market.
We’re aiming for the top positions, but we recognize the high and critical importance of strong middle management.
We’re not perfect, but we’re dedicated to continuous improvement.
Our approach is straightforward: provide relevant education that translates directly to career success. We measure our success by our students’ outcomes – their ability to secure rewarding jobs, advance in their careers, and make meaningful contributions to their organizations.
We’ll give you the tools, knowledge, and experience you need to build a successful career!
