$$$ v/s Brains

A week back an interesting debate was sparked between me and a good friend on intelligence and money. The debate started with a single statement - " A degree in management (MBA) is all about money making but PhD is seeking intelligence." As surprised as I was on such a refutable comparison, it made me challenge my thoughts on how I can defend a profession I intend to pursue in the coming years. We bombed thoughts and views across like it was a battle field and the victorious will have the satisfaction of justifying once call on pursuing a particular career path.

Generationalizing from a family of well educated individuals with a PhD next to their name, I had to be careful not to undermine the achievements they have attained in their field, during the process of defending my reasons and views of how an MBA degree equally reflects your capabilities by challenging you intellectually in par of a post doctorate degree.

So, is pursuing a MBA only about money making and not about intelligence ? Is having a PhD one of the best ways to project your intellectual proclivity? Does, being qualified as a doctorate have an upper hand as apposed to having a business degree? Some might argue this comparison has no base because both can at times go hand in hand, for example- a PhD in Business management ! But what I am trying to point out here is a comparison of how intellectually challenging these two qualifications are.

Today an entrance into a leading B-School is matter of pride for many young students and professionals. The process of admissions have gotten tougher with time due to the increase in competition and talent around the globe. Globalization within campuses have increased the awareness among non-economic background aspirants. Collaborations with international universities have given students the opportunity to adventure away from their current profession. The staggering pay checks,reputation and power in Wall St. has enticed the world to take this profession seriously. Alumnus from reputed institutions from around the world took center stage either in global businesses for eg. Mukesh Ambani, Donald Trump, Ratan Tata, Anand Mahindra etc.. and in statesmanship for eg. P. Chidambaram, Michael Bloomberg, George Yeo etc...These people have shaped the the world in their own ways with intelligence, knowledge and innovation. None of the above have a doctorate degree but rank among the most influential people in the world. They have run successful business which have shaped the market for the world from the automotive sector to petroleum to real estate to running countries/cities finance and governing body successfully. We find their names and brands in every walk of life with many being role models and icon to aspiring businessmen. Does it mean they are in only in for the money and have no stimulating intellect? Doesn't it sound weird that they achieved so much and had little intellectual proclivity as compared to a doctorate who dedicates his/her life to research and intellectual supremacy (as the notion goes).

Does, having a MBA degree alone qualify you for influx of $$ in your bank account? With every passing year, business school have been mushrooming in every corner , but those who make it to the top are those who have worked for it and have the intelligence to apply, what I love calling a glorified personality development course. It matter from where and who edifies you that course. An admission into a Ivy league B-School requires a strong resume, a strong score, creativity and sound intellect. The combination of these traits and the tag of a prestigious school helps you propel further.

On the other hand, a doctorate might have worked for five to six years to attain his degree but during the course of this work there are many who lose track of reality and real world situations. There have been discoveries and researchs carried out which cannot be applied to real world and can only be added to text books as references. Can we claim such a doctorate intelligent, who has the knowledge and skills of research but cannot produce findings which is acceptable and practical in everyday life. There have been many great doctorates in the field of science and even business who have formulated strategies and techniques which have proven to be very useful to a MBA student, who then take that learning and knowledge, and applies it to the real world with a hint of self contributed intellect.

The contributions from renowned erudite scholars like John Forbes Nash, Jr whose work on Game Theory to the most recent Dr. Paul Krugman's "Analysis of trade patterns and location of economic activity" have helped business admin students understand and apply various strategies to run a successful and lucrative business, not only satisfying personal gains but also meeting the growing demands of the world. It is these MBA degree holders who have made these findings practical in the real world and tested their viability which intern has led to further studies and innovations both in the field of research and business.

At the end a doctorate degree or a business management degree, one will need intellect, creativity and presence of mind to make it to the top . A degree alone cannot say if you or me are intellectually or monetarily inclined.