Should an IIT graduate pursue MBA at IIM L or continue in tech career?

IIT graduate should continue in tech career if currently at top-tier firm (FAANG, quant, top IB) with strong trajectory; pursue IIM L MBA if targeting function change, plateau reached, or seeking senior management track. The decision hinges on career goals, not generic MBA value.

1. Continue tech career if:
2. At FAANG (Amazon, Microsoft, Google) Senior SDE at Rs 35-55 LPA
3. Tech stock (RSUs) appreciating well
4. On Staff/Principal engineer track
5. Global mobility through tech (US transfer possibilities)
6. Love coding and technical problem-solving

FAANG trajectory without MBA: - Year 0: Rs 25-35 LPA as SDE 2 - Year 3: Rs 45-60 LPA as SDE/Senior SDE - Year 5: Rs 55-75 LPA as Staff Engineer - Year 10: Rs 90 LPA-Rs 1.5 crore at Principal/Sr Principal - Year 15: Rs 1.5-3 crore at Distinguished Engineer

Similar to IIM L graduate trajectory but without fees and career interruption.

1. Pursue IIM L MBA if:
2. IT services stagnating at Rs 10-15 LPA
3. Want consulting/banking/strategy career
4. Seeking senior management roles
5. Startup CXO aspirations
6. Career plateau at current firm

IIM L trajectory for IIT graduate: - Year 0: Rs 30-35 LPA - Year 5: Rs 55-75 LPA - Year 10: Rs 90 LPA-Rs 1.3 crore - Year 15: Rs 1.2-2.5 crore

Both paths produce similar long-term outcomes. Choice depends on preferred career.

Specific comparison scenarios:

Scenario 1: IIT + FAANG SDE with 3 years experience at Rs 28 LPA Continue tech: - 10-year earnings: Rs 7-10 crore - Year 10 salary: Rs 80 LPA-Rs 1.3 crore - No MBA fees

IIM L MBA: - 10-year earnings: Rs 6-9 crore (after fees) - Year 10 salary: Rs 90 LPA-Rs 1.3 crore - Rs 22L fees + Rs 40L foregone

Tech path slightly ahead; MBA requires function pivot rationale.

Scenario 2: IIT + IT services Senior Manager Rs 18 LPA, 6 years Continue IT: - Year 10: Rs 30-45 LPA - Rs 3-5 crore lifetime - Limited senior role access

IIM L MBA: - Year 0 post-MBA: Rs 32 LPA - Year 10: Rs 90 LPA-Rs 1.3 crore - Rs 6-9 crore lifetime (after fees) - Function change to consulting/strategy

MBA wins decisively.

Scenario 3: IIT + IIM L graduate at Rs 30 LPA consulting, 4 years experience Continue consulting: - Year 10: Rs 90 LPA-Rs 1.5 crore at Principal/MBB - Clear career track - No need for additional MBA

IIT + IIM L + another MBA: not helpful, diminishing returns.

For IIT graduates evaluating:

1. Ask:
2. What function do I want long-term?
3. Is my current path progressing?
4. Can I afford Rs 60-70L opportunity cost?
5. Is MBA essential for target function?
6. Am I 22-28 (MBA sweet spot)?

Decision: - Target tech trajectory at top firms: continue without MBA - Need function change: pursue IIM L or similar - Career plateau: MBA can reset - Entrepreneurship with structured business ed: MBA valuable

Both paths are legitimate. Match to specific goals.

Check your eligibility at collvera.com/eligibility