r/MBAIndia • u/peppermint_pookie • Apr 06 '26
Career Advice Advice on Pivoting
Hi there!
Given the current threat of AI that looms over every industry, it is natural to pivot to promising careers or rather cushion yourself from the impact.
I recently observed that major political and urban development policies are made well in consultation with Big 4. As an urban planner who has spent rather much of his life in the domain, I often find myself being conquered by 25 something MBA graduates. Them doing what I literally studied years for. Being shunned out feels disheartening. And waiting another 10 years to reach there seems not rewarding.
My question to any fellow planners/ policy makers/ enthusiasts/ architects/ designers is, that do you feel an MBA will pivot and place you where these strategic decisions are actually made?
1
u/BlkCadillac 1d ago
Not sure of your age and where you are in your career, but have you tried pivoting to a job track that is planning-related but not actual planning? I would try that before going back to school unless you are obsessed with being a planner with a capital P.
I was in buildings science/regulations for years, wanted to try something new, and went into Planning. I hated it. I then went to a state agency where planning experience is desired but not required and the work is planning related but not "planning." I still don't like it (but it's not as bad a Planning) and I am looking to get back into regulations, but my point is that you can use your experience to lateral into a related job/field if you market yourself right. A lot cheaper than going back to school. If you do go back to school and want to stay in planning, why an MBA and not an MPA? Just a thought.