Until a few years ago, MBA degree with specialisation in rural management
was considered as one with less scope. But now Rural Management, which
encompasses rural development, is one of the major areas of management
studies. With the changing scenario and government policies on rural development,
lucrative opportunities have opened for students specialised in rural
management. Most of the management schools provide direct placement assistance
through campus recruitment.
Rural managers work in all functional areas of management – general
management, marketing, finance, systems, project implementation, purchase,
human resource development, in all segments of rural based enterprises.
They work in rural enterprises as policy makers, managers, analysts and
consultants advising on operational efficiency and improvements. Their
work involve frequent travelling and interaction with clients.
Students after passing out from the institute may get appropriate employment
opportunity in government developmental agencies and non-government organizations.
Career opportunity in Rural management include challenging responsibilities
in the rural co-operative sector, in development organisations, agri-business
enterprises, areas related to micro-finance, food and agricultural marketing
and management of agro products. Co-operatives which absorb rural managers
include oilseeds cooperatives, milk producers cooperatives, sugar cane
producers cooperatives etc. Highly talented people can find lucrative
job options in UN and its specialized agencies or programmes run by them.
International NGOs are also a preferred destination for many rural managers.
They may also take up research, advisory, and consultancy work with
public and private organisations. Those with Rural Management degree can
run their own NGO and thereby directly be associated with rural people.
Banks, insurance companies and various other finance institutions as well
as research and consultancy firms also recruit students by campus recruitment.
They get offers in companies like Tata Teleservices, Amul, Monsanto, Shriram
Group, NABARD and ICICI Bank. Rural managers are hired for agro-based
businesses and for managing their corporate social responsibility initiatives
related to rural development.
