M.S. or M.Tech. or MBA for a good career?

I have seen many people ask this question when they are at crossroads where they have to choose a further course of action (study) especially when they are pursuing their B.E. or B.Tech. I am giving my perspective about this conundrum based on my own personal experiences.

I know it is difficult to choose among the different options available because I was in a similar situation in that phase. So based on my personal experience, I would say, it would be good that you choose something that you want to do rather than pick something based on someone else's suggestion. I can give a few hints though.

With regard to MBA, it is always better to take up the course after obtaining some work experience (say 2-3 years). B-Schools prefer people with work experience and also work experience helps you to appreciate the coursework better. MBA for a fresher (until and unless if it is done from one of the top 10 B-Schools) might not be of much use. I am currently pursuing my MBA after working for some years and I must say that the concepts make better sense now. I am sure that I wouldn't have been able to do so if I had joined MBA immediately after my undergraduate studies. But with supply exceeding the demand these days, an MBA grad is finding it difficult to get a good break. So one has to be real careful and will have to think twice before taking up an MBA from an average ranked B-School.

An M.Tech might not affect your career in a great way but will definitely help if in case you are going for further research. Many companies in India give little or no importance to M.Tech when it comes to fixing your salary and so there will be very nominal difference between an B.Tech and an M.Tech grad's paycheck. Some people get into good Universities like IITs through GATE after passing out from a lower-ranked engineering college because IITs will present better career opportunities.

MS will help you in a different sort of way as it will expose you to a totally different study system, culture and environment. It will also open up career avenues for you in that country. But without funding from Universities, it is difficult to bear the expenses. However, student loans are easily available nowadays and this helps in reducing the pressure of investing in MS from personal funds.