Even today many senior managers are persons who have come up through their respective technical qualifications, such as engineering or accounts, but in future the fastest rise will be of those who combine technical qualifications with a management degree.  And if one is clear about the field of management one wishes to pursue, there are specialized courses for managing diverse areas ranging from Information Technology and International Trade to Hospitals and Forests.  It is certainly advisable to check not only opportunities and scope, but also aptitude, before 
taking the plunge. 

ENTRY:  Opportunities are now available to make an entry into management at the undergraduation level.  Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) courses are offered by various universities also  known as BBA) in India and abroad.  Bangalore University itself has more than twenty affiliated 
colleges offering this course (though not all of them maintain very good standard).  Some foreign universities are offering the option of doing part of the studies in India, both at undergraduate as well as post graduate level, in order to save costs.  Admission in foreign universities is comparatively easier, but costs are prohibitively high.  Some Universities are currently in the process of setting up campuses in India which cuts down part of the high cost of foreign study. 

Admission to local colleges depends on their reputation.  BBM is a good option for those who do not get admission in professional courses, rather than doing B.Sc. or B.A. Post graduate entry into the ivy league colleges like IIMs or Xaviers and Manipal is very selective, and through the Entrance examination.  However, MBA (Master of Business Administration) is also offered by Bangalore and 
other universities, and these are reasonably good second options.  While MBA is a generalized degree, one has to choose one's specialization in the second year.  The most common specializations offered are: marketing, systems, finance and HRD. Management studies are also offered through correspondence courses, but those are recommended only for those who are already in full time jobs and wish to upgrade themselves. 

APTITUDE:  Leadership and inter personal skills are the main traits required of a good manager.  Essentially one should be people friendly and enjoy interactions of all types.  Decision making and convincing ability is also equally important.  In today's corporate world there is continuous tension and stress, and a manager should have abilities to balance his work day and keep long hours.  Inevitably, one needs to socialize and attend parties, and show good hospitality.  Finally, one should have a sharp comprehension of different types of situations and problems, and be flexible enough to fit in. 

THE FUTURE:  Those in the managerial field inevitably have a good future if they are adaptable.  An undergraduate degree like BBM, or efrom an unknown institution may not give a good start.  At the other end of the spectrum, students from IIMs start off anywhere between 30,000-1,00,000 salary per month. 

While there may be a steady rise for most people with managerial qualifications, those who will progress fast in future will be those who specialize in upcoming fields.  Some organizations like the Tatas have their own Tata Administrative Service (TAS) which assures a steady future. But most candidates will prefer to move towards better pastures after their initial break.  The openings in the Western countries for Indian management graduates, however, are not very good. On a long term basis, one should remember that technology, management techniques etc. are changing fast, and subsequent promotions will depend on how much one updates oneself. 

SOME ADDRESSES: 

For list of Affiliated colleges of Bangalore University offering BBM courses:  Central College, Ambedkar Veedhi, Near Mysore Bank, Bangalore 560001 

Indian Institute of Management (IIM):  Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore 560076 

T M A Pai Institute of Management, Manipal 576119,  Karnataka 

For correspondence courses:  Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Regional Centre, 293, 39th Cross, 8th Block.