Ravi is an MBA: Finance from IMT Dubai and a Level 3 CFA candidate currently working on Mergers& Acquisitions at Redington Gulf, Dubai

His organization is a leading IT and Non IT supply chain distributor, Ravi works as Asst. Manager Mergers & Acquisitions. The Organization is head quartered in Dubai and operates in 18 countries in Middle East, North Africa & Turkey. He reports directly to the CFO, and works on screening the investments, market research, valuations and assisting in the due diligence process.

Before taking up the MBA program at IMT-Dubai, Ravi is a qualified engineer from Osmania University and was working with Rohde & Schwarz Pvt Ltd (German MNC) in a Marketing Profile for close to 2 years.

1. The Transition from Marketing to Finance, is it hard? What Prompted this Transition?

Since my engineering days, I was interested in stock markets but didn’t have any knowledge; I used to always wonder why markets would fall or rise- if something like storms happen in US or some gas leak in China etc. Slowly I started to learn more about them; I used to read finance related newspapers to improve my knowledge. After engineering through campus placements, I got into a German based telecommunications R&D; Company and was working as Engineer- Sales & Marketing, catering to the research of companies like Qualcomm, Nokia, Motorola, AMD which had their research centres in Hyderabad.

Though my job was not related to finance (Stock markets, Valuations) but my interest was still there, with whatever saving I did during my job, I used to invest in stock markets and started trading. Thats when I decided that there is something more interesting and challenging. I decided to leave my job and become a full time trader, but upon insistence of my parents and well wishers, I pursued MBA with my specialization in International Banking & finance.

The transition did not seem hard and was enjoyable as my passion to learn more about finance made the path smooth.
2. What extra efforts did you put in to firm up into finance professional (Certifications, Projects etc) along with MBA?

The course at IMT-Dubai was more in line with American curriculum where you have lot of practical and less theoretical based. That is when I decided to put in some extra efforts and chose CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) certification. Its a 3 level course, where I completed 2 levels during my MBA course. That did help me in improving my finance knowledge as well as stand out among others during placement season.

3. The things that you miss the most from your life on hostel?

Hostel (Student) life is one of the most precious times in ones life; we are bosses of our own time and can plan things accordingly. Once we get into corporate world, we are bound by my many commitments. I used to have lot of fun during the hostel days (playing cricket in the evening, enjoying the IPL matches with all the friends in canteen, birthday celebrations etc).

4. Your greatest moment from 2 years in finance class?

Conducting a Virtual stock trading game in the college. Many people who earlier did not knew anything about stocks also took part in it and it was a well appreciated event.

6. Three words for your experience in IMT-Dubai?

Wonderful, Entertaining and Resourceful

7. The most insane thing that you did on Campus?

Dancing on Apdi pode pode (Tamil song) in front of huge gathering of people during a college festival.

8. What would your advice be to students who want to make it big in finance?

Be it any specialization, with competition growing, one needs to enhance skills all along their professional career. We have many certifications specific to different fields. I suggest that one should plan and have one or more certifications along with MBA in their kitty to stand out among competition.

Whatever specialization we take up, when we do it with passion, we get fruitful results.

You can reach Ravi Teja on [email protected]
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