For years, admission into a tier 1 college has been treated as the golden ticket to a successful career. Cracking Cat, Jee, or any other high-situation entrance exams are seen as the defining moment for one’s future. But what if things do not go as planned? What if you don’t get admission into a tier 1 institution? The reality is, that while a top-term can provide a great launchpad, your career trajectory is defined by where you start-it’s defined by what you do next.
If you didn’t get into a tier 1 college, don’t get a lower-start institute just for the sake of a degree. Many tier 2 and 3 colleges come with hefty fees and uncherrtain returns. Instead, a more strategic approach-focusing on skill-boiling and gaining early work experience-can set you up for a thring career.
Building Your Career Without a Tier 1 Tag
Let’s assume it is March 2025, and the cat results are out. You have made it to a top business school, but you determined to break into high-growth business or marketing roles. Here’s What Alternative Career Path Could Look Like:
Step 1: Identify the right growth area
Start by Researching Fast-Growing Roles in Marketing, Sales, Business Analytics, and Product Management. Areas like digital marketing, paid advertising, and e-commerce growth rolls are booming, with increasing demand for skilled professionals.
Step 2: upskill smartly
Instead of investing Rs 15 to 25 lakh in a traditional MBA, Consider Job-Linked Courses that offer directry exposure.
Step 3: Start Earning and Gaining Experience
After completing your upskilling program, you could secure a Rs 6 lakh CTC job at a digital marketing agency. Unlike an MBA Graduate who’s still paying fees, you are already earning. A year later, with hands-on expertise and strong problem-Solving skills, you will a 20 per cent salary hike, increasing your CTC to Rs 7.2 Lakh.
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By Next Year, You Transition to A D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) Brand As a Growth Marketer, Receiving A 40% Hike, Pushing Your CTC to Rs 10.5l. With three years of real-wrong experience by 2028, your salary will reach Rs 15.5 Lakh, making you a highly sought-afeter professional in the industry.
Why this approach work better
Many mba graduates from tier 2 and 3 colleges start their careers in sales, offten earning Rs 7 to 12 lakh unally after paying hefty fees. On the other hand, by gaining industry-releevant skills early and Building Real-World Experience, you can reach the same-or everything better-financial and professional milestones without the heavy debit Burden.
This path not only makes you finanically Independent earllier but also allows you to build a strong network with the industry. Unlike Traditional MBA Programs that often Emphasize Theoretical Learning, This Approach Insures You Get Hands-on Exposure to Industry Trends, Problem-Solving, And Strategic Decision-the Outtst. Employers inclusively Prefer Candidates with prove
Additionally, your career trajectory remains flexible. Instead of being confined to predefined rolls post-Mba, you have the freedom to explore multiple domains, Switch industries, and grow based on Merit Rather than your resume on your resume. This agility is a significant adventage in today’s rapidly evolving job landscape.
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Beyond marketing
This strategy isn is limited to marketing. Roles in product management, finance, sales, and business analytics increasingly prioritize skills over degrees. Employers Today Value What You Can Do, Not Just Where You Studied.
Not getting into a tier 1 college isn ‘the end of the road – it is a chance to rethink your app. By focusing on real-wrong skills, industry exposure, and smart career decisions, you can carry out a successful, finanically rewarding career on your own terms. Instead of waiting for Opportunities, creating them. Your Future Isn is defined by a college brand – it’s defined by you.
(The Author is the founder and CEO of KRAFTSHALA)