Ask Sameer Kamat | Author of 'Beyond The MBA Hype'

MBA
122

Hi Sameer ,

Most puys here seem to be from the IT field and wanting to do an MBA to change fields/increase in salary albeit in the corporate world.
However my goals are a bit different , first my profile is :
A Mechanical engineer working in the project management group for a prestigious Indian company in the defense and aerospace sector;
job utilizes core mechanical knowledge, communication skills and basic financial knowledge.
I have been working for 2 years now and have been thinking of an Mba in 2013;

My career goal is entrepreneurship ; my father has his own firm which is a manufacturing company in the technical textiles sector and I do wish to join him.
There is a lot of scope for expansion in this field which I believe is something that excites me ; however given that my financial knowledge and might not be upto the mark required for something like that I feel an Mba would help me bridge that gap.
The dilemma I face is :
Do I need an Mba? I mean is it really worth spending a year or two and money on a program ?

If yes,
which program to target and where ?
A One-year program would be preferable.
Any other suggestions or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thank You
Sumit

124
dilip817 Says
I work in "X" profile but want to make my career in Y(Investment Banking/Private Equity/VC)

It would've helped if you could have shared a little more about what 'X' means. Your 'Y' can actually be split up into, not one, but 3 different careers. Each will require a different strategy.

Started GMAT and Learning/Pursuing Y, but together both not going with a good pace. Not able to match GMAT schedule. Also need to meet high performance expectations in current profile.
I realise this can be tough to manage, specifically for folks who are work-schedules that are very demanding. But do find time to keep for it as the GMAT can play an important role, when you are aiming for quant focussed roles.

Learned from net that the best time for GMAT is May or June and apply in the 1st round.
It'll be good to get a score before May, so you'd have enough time to work on the remaining parts of the application.

So kind of stuck between whether
1) to wait till I migrate to "Y" and then go for GMAT or
2) move up the value chain in "X" profile and go for an MBA to get into "Y".
If you can manage option 1, that'll be the best. And then you'd probably not need an MBA.
Option 2 may not help much if your 'X' role isn't helping you develop skills that are relevant for any of the 3 'Y' options. Which is why I wanted to know what 'X' meant.

Greatly appreciate your valuable advice. As this will help me to form a strategy for my long term career plan.
After all the X and Y references, let me know if you still find the response helpful.

- If X=2 & Y=3 What is (X^Y)/(Y^X) -->
125
The confusion is that 1st thng 1st I wana go 4 civil services any which way so i thought why not go for MA in eng lit. from DU
coz that will be a safe bet with RAO in delhi, then recently I got my XAT score and I got 80.68 percentile and don't know which all colleges can I apply to, as my parents really want me to do M.B.A. Then, I got a job offer from one of the most reputed social organisations that is involved in educational sector. I just don't know what to do.

Sirji, you are using acronyms that my limited vocabulary fails to put in the right context. The only famous 'Rao' I know of, was the Prime Minister of India many years back.

Coming to your main dilemma, I'd like to know why you wanted to get into the Civil Services? For prestige, for doing something good for the society/country, for the power, for other reasons?

Second question: Why do your parents want you to chuck the Civil Services plan and the job and go for an MBA?

I can't provide any inputs on what MBA institutions you can target with your score, as that's not my area of expertise. So I'll move to the other 2 options.

Cracking the Civil Services process can be tougher than an MBA. So if you think you have the capability to do so, definitely try it.

However, if you aren't too sure about it, and pursuing this more for emotional and ego related reasons, then the social organisation would be a better option. It won't be the same as a Civil services role, but it could still give you opportunities to give back something to the society and build credibility for yourself (assuming that was your rationale for choosing civil svcs).

- SK
126

Hello Sir

The posts in the forum encouraged the shy extrovert in me to take out the the deepest question buried inside my heart. Before I post the question I will share my story.

I am an MBA in marketing from a reputed 2 tier institute. I was campus placed and joined the banking sector as it was offering me a job in my hometown.( read it a blunder)
I was never interested in the job in that industry. Frustrated and depressed I resigned from the job after 7 months to join my family business. (FAMILY PRESSURE) Somehow I kept that hope inside me alive to get into the market research/ consulting industry and make a fresh start. Luckily I got through a decent company as well in Bangalore.
This time I was brainwashed by my parents, relatives..emotionally blackmailed by grandparents I decided I will have to pursue the legacy of family business.
But Like is not so easy.
The individual inside me could nt keep quite fr a long time. I started applying again. Its been 4 months I left that job. I am not getting calls from the industry I am interested in. I have lost all hope and happiness. I am still handling business but deep down every single hour it crosses my mind what have I done with my life.

Please suggest what should I do ?

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.... coz u can only pursue it ...never achieve it

127

Hello sir,
I need some help. I am a Btech graduate (Industrial Biotech). Have some good acads from School. But didn't want to continue into research work and wanted to take a job. Got a campus placement in Cognizant, but due to recession my offer got delayed and that is when i got multiple offers from Govt banks (PSB). Had to take it.
I have my strengths in analyzing things and providing practical solutions to it. I have won many non technical events including case study events. I am kind of guy who would like to take in the opportunity available and put full effort into it.
So far i have worked for 1 yr in marketing in a pvt company and 2 yrs as Asst Manager in a govt bank. Roles were not limited to branch management & Marketing. I have done some certification in banking (CAIIB). I have resigned from my job as i wasn't satisfied with the work environment. too much of target pressures & less growth. I thought i would score well in cat. but i ended up with just 86%le. i missed other exams by 1-3 marks. want to join college this year itself.
I have got the following calls, IRMA, tier 2 institutes like TAPMI, FORE, IFMR...
My ques are,
1. the placements in these tier 2 colleges are again in marketing and banking. I don't want to go back to product selling & target oriented jobs. I am looking for a general organisation management job, but i don't think i will get one in these colleges. Can u suggest me alternative job types.
2. Else the other only way seems to be in Equity Research & other investment product research field. How good are the opportunities for a guy like me who has no experience in that field. Will a MBA Finance and CFA levels help me? What kind of job would that be?
3. I am planning to join Financial Engineering course in IFMR chennai. Will that help me ?
thanks in advance.

128
smartass666 Says
I left my job in june last year with 11 months of work ex... I was fed up of IT and wanted to reinvent myself , including my career..
There are very few guarantees in life (taxes and death being two of the well-documented ones).

Not sure if being fed up and leaving your job before you had any other option was such a wise decision, my friend.

What to do ?I really dont want to get back to an IT job..!!
Between the two - no MBA offer and no job - I'd give a higher priority to the job. So in your situation, I'd forget all the options and distractions (the primary source of confusion).

How you can get a job is the tricky part and it's tough to give quick and easy solutions in a forum. That part you'd have to figure out on your own. Use all possible sources of getting leads (internet sites, personal network, walk-ins) that ultimately convert into the job you want. You may not get the job of your dreams though.

- Not-so-exciting IT jobs fed my family for many years
129
balaji_pb3 Says
Hi Team,

I'm afraid, no team here, Balaji. Just one batsman trying to tackle all the googlies and feeling just a little overwhelmed and disappointed for reasons that I'll describe below.

I doesn't know what to do in life...
:
I hate my job and want to do an MBA but Iam not focusing on my preparation. I wanted to pursue MBA program in NIT or any good recognized Institute but something is blocking me in achieving my desire.
Stand-by for a pressure release moment.

The I-hate-my-job-and-I-think-an-MBA-will-fix my-problem syndrome is widespread and that is exactly the reason I wrote 'Beyond The MBA Hype'.

But seems like the virus is spreading really fast and not too many folks are stepping back to evaluate what they really want from their careers or their lives.

So, for those who haven't read the book, here's the message again -
An MBA will not fix your problems or give you clarity on what you want in life.

It's simply a business degree that will teach you finance, marketing, accounting...and if you are lucky, a brand strong enough to open up a few doors.

But to begin with you would need to know what doors to knock on.

YOU have to answer those questions on your own, evaluate the practicality and your capabilities, find out alternatives to get there and chase it with ALL your power.

Please spend some time reading all the queries and responses that have been posted on the thread. Convince me that you've done your homework and I'd be more inclined to give meaningful and helpful responses.

- Re-wind & start with the first post -->
130
smartass666 Says
I was working for 7 days a week and 14-15 hours a day.. I was not running away from work, I was running away from that kind of profile..

Hmm...that does sound painful. Not sure what pleasure our corporates get from squeezing their employees.

Anyway, I am planning to take gmat in next two months and then look for a job. Looking for a job is a job in itself. What do you suggest?

Don't make GMAT prep a 24X7 affair like your previous job. Take frequent breaks and start the job-hunting process in parallel.

- SK
131
A Mechanical engineer working in the project management group for a prestigious Indian company in the defense and aerospace sector;...I have been working for 2 years now ... My career goal is entrepreneurship ; my father has his own firm which is a manufacturing company in the technical textiles sector and I do wish to join him.

You are in an excellent position, Sumit bhai. You have in hand an option that you are excited about - family business. The best way to learn about anything is to roll up your sleeves and jump in. With 2 years work-ex, if you are aiming for 1 year programs, you may find the pace too hectic.

Instead, if you join your family biz right now, it'll give you a chance to evaluate the practicality of all those growth ideas you have for it.

Probably you'll find out newer avenues for expansion or you might realise that your dad hasn't pursued them for a valid reason.

All this is great exposure that you'll never get in a classroom.

however given that my financial knowledge and might not be upto the mark required for something like that I feel an Mba would help me bridge that gap...Do I need an Mba?
Right now you think Finance is the only area where you need help. My guess is, you'll get to know of many other areas where an MBA can help.

But if you jump into an academic program before that realisation happens, you will not be able to make the most of your time there.

- For others who think it's too late to convince their dads to start a family biz
132
Hello Sir

The posts in the forum encouraged the shy extrovert in me to take out the the deepest question buried inside my heart. Before I post the question I will share my story.

I am an MBA in marketing from a reputed 2 tier institute. I was campus placed and joined the banking sector as it was offering me a job in my hometown.( read it a blunder)
I was never interested in the job in that industry. Frustrated and depressed I resigned from the job after 7 months to join my family business. (FAMILY PRESSURE) Somehow I kept that hope inside me alive to get into the market research/ consulting industry and make a fresh start. Luckily I got through a decent company as well in Bangalore.
This time I was brainwashed by my parents, relatives..emotionally blackmailed by grandparents I decided I will have to pursue the legacy of family business.
But Like is not so easy.
The individual inside me could nt keep quite fr a long time. I started applying again. Its been 4 months I left that job. I am not getting calls from the industry I am interested in. I have lost all hope and happiness. I am still handling business but deep down every single hour it crosses my mind what have I done with my life.

Please suggest what should I do ?

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.... coz u can only pursue it ...never achieve it


Sir.......... Awaiting reply to this question??
133
eternalsoul Says
Sir.......... Awaiting reply to this question??


Getting there, sirji. Unless I uninitentionally skipped your post and moved to the next one, reminders not needed.

Just one more post in the queue before yours. So we're almost there.

Have been a little busy with some new initiatives, like a column I've started writing for Firstpost.com. See if my article (if you are quick, you might still be able to see it on the front page) on whether the CAT cutoff process is justified, gives you food for thought.

- Wondering why reminders don't help?
134
santosh ghai Says
Sameer I am impressed by your answers and your outlook.

Santosh bhai, a few others have also made that allegation. Thanks for keeping the illusion alive and kickin' :-P

I am an IT professional working with TCS. I have more than 3 years of workex. I intend to do an MBA from ISB. Is it the right time to apply or should i get more work ex.
Technically, no one (including ISB policies, that suggest a min of 2 yrs work-ex) can stop you from applying.

Non-technically, what can stop you are the following: current challenges you see in career-development, post-MBA goals, what you think ISB can do for you.

My home loan is already on for a property that i purchased in Gurgaon.
Add this to the non-technical things that can stop you. Don't get into a situation where you have a home loan and an edu loan and a job that doesn't help you fulfil your financial obligations.

Should I consider for an expansive MBA internationally?
If you are open to international travel, you definitely should. Just being in an international environment can teach you many more things that you won't pick up in a class.

I personally feel that I should not wait and start my preperation. What is your take? Please suggest.
Having clarity of thought is a slow process and will not happen overnight. So no harm in starting the preparation early i.e. GMAT prep, shortlisting schools (apart from ISB), thinking of the entire application strategy. But don't jump in till you get your financial status sorted out.

- Illusion or real?
135
eternalsoul Says
The posts in the forum encouraged the shy extrovert in me to take out the the deepest question buried inside my heart.
I know it can be tough to open up to a stranger on a public forum. Thanks for considering me worthy of opening up to.

I am an MBA in marketing from a reputed 2 tier institute. I was campus placed and joined the banking sector as it was offering me a job in my hometown.( read it a blunder)
The post MBA phase is the best time to manage career shifts. Unfortunately, many freshers who rush into MBA programs face the same issue of aiming for and taking up careers that aren't aligned with what they want. So if at all it's any consolation, you aren't the only one who's facing this.

...join my family business. (FAMILY PRESSURE)...brainwashed by my parents, relatives..emotionally blackmailed by grandparents
pressuring, brainwashing, blackmailing...hmmm, not the best words to be used for family. But I guess you've been at the receiving end for too long to have to feel that way.

Its been 4 months I left that job. I am not getting calls from the industry I am interested in
Here's how an external guy (e.g. employer) might start viewing your journey. Already an MBA...joined the corporate world...and quit it...twice!
Big dilemma for the recruiting manager - If the new company were to recruit you, what's the guarantee that you'll stick?

I have lost all hope and happiness.
Let's work on this part.

Just laying out an option. Think whether it is practical for you. For the time being, forget the new job. Forget who pressured you and who blackmailed you. You have a job right now (so what if it's in the family biz) and you have a management education.

If you like market research and consulting, spend some time each day doing this work in your current business along with the rest of the regular daily responsibilities.

I have no clue what your family business is, but if I knew I'd be able to tell you 10 different in-house research and consulting opportunities you can start today. But let's not get into operational details here.

PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.... coz u can only pursue it ...never achieve it
That's what Hollywood movie stars would say (can't recall Will Smith saying that, though), after they are paid millions.

For insignificant folks like you and me, it's easier to start off with - 'I'm already happy, bcoz I have today what most folks will never have in their lifetime.' Then the journey ahead becomes more exciting.

- Filmy?
136

thank you for the reply.

You said "Here's how an external guy (e.g. employer) might start viewing your journey. Already an MBA...joined the corporate world...and quit it...twice!
Big dilemma for the recruiting manager - If the new company were to recruit you, what's the guarantee that you'll stick?"

I joined the corporate world just ONCE and then quit it to to join business. However I wanna rejoin. Is there any other way to discuss things in detail with you. The problem is more complex than it looks.

137
eternalsoul Says
Is there any other way to discuss things in detail with you. The problem is more complex than it looks.

Sure, we could take it offline. You'll find the email ID on the MBA Crystal Ball site.

- SK
138
1. the placements in these tier 2 colleges are again in marketing and banking. I don't want to go back to product selling & target oriented jobs. I am looking for a general organisation management job, but i don't think i will get one in these colleges. Can u suggest me alternative job types.

2. Else the other only way seems to be in Equity Research & other investment product research field. How good are the opportunities for a guy like me who has no experience in that field. Will a MBA Finance and CFA levels help me? What kind of job would that be?
Can't comment on the opportunities available at the specific schools you've listed. But as a general rule, if you rely only on the in-campus placements, you are putting yourself at the mercy of companies who come over and offer only a subset of jobs. There are many more roles beyond just sales and marketing - in operations, technology, coordination, general management, customer relationships, HR, finance, research ...


3. I am planning to join Financial Engineering course in IFMR chennai. Will that help me ?
You'll be cutting out many of the options listed in the prev point. So be sure about what jobs you can target after Fin Engineering, and if you really want to spend a long time in those roles. Changing tracks after that will become tougher.

- SK
139

If you have been giving too much importance to your designation, here's some food for thought --> Do designations really matter?

- Looking for a Chief Advisory Officer?

140

Hey there Sir,

For the past 10-15 days or so, i have been genuinely thinking of going to a phoren university for an MBA..and this thread here probably was the thing i was looking for.

Well, a brief intro of mine, have done my B.Tech, then went on to get my MBA degree from IIT Roorkee, and have been working in a VERY big company since (read India's top 3). Though i sure am happy with my MBA cos it helped me land a very good job which gives me a 7 figure salary to take home every year.. and an excellent work-life balance.

I definitely love my company too, cos of the attractive incentives it gives me..but i am not sure how long i would be happy with this job, as the job i am doing is not really all that challenging & career growth as well rising up the ladder in my company is an arduous task to say the least (Yes i am a government employee) and the blue eyed boy of my department in this huge organisation.

Now, even though i am doing pretty well for a 2009 passed out MBA, being in a govt organisation i am not sure how long it would last.

My ambition out of a MBA from abroad

Well, i want to do an MBA in operations to begin with, and get into a MNC which can pay me truckloads more than my current organisation.

I am pretty sure of getting a good GMAT score, since a mock GMAT exam i gave without any preparation i scored 710... so the marks would be taken care of.. quite obviously am targeting a top institute like INSEAD or an MUS or maybe even an ISB.

Now the question is are my expectations from a MBA degree from abroad real ?? Would it make any real sense for me to quit my job.. spend 50 lakhs.. loose out on nearly 25 lakhs of rupees i could have earnt in the same time here in my job??

141

Hi Sameer Sir,
Here's my story:
I completed my engineering in June 2010, worked in a software company for just 6 months, thereafter I joined our family business. I gave CAT/XAT/SNAP/ etc. this year, but my performance in these exams have been nowhere close to expectations. Right now, I am waiting for SCMHRD result, have been rejected by SIBM-Pune and have no other calls.
The only option that remains for me is of a foreign MBA. But before that I would like you to address my concern -whether an MBA is right for me or not?

What's attracting me towards an MBA:
1. The place where I stay is a town. For some reasons, I believe that I can't live my entire life in a town. An MBA would provide me an opportunity to stay in a city and the subsequent job would help me to make some foreign tours .
2.It would be next to impossible for me to visit the Americas and the Europes, if i stay in our family business.

The reasons for which I should not be doing an MBA are many:
1.The annual profit in our family business is quite good. Even an IIM A topper won't be able to make as much money as I could do, if I were to stay here at home (not trying to boast, just mentioning a point).
2. If you ask me now, what kind of profile would you prefer, I won't be able to give a specific answer. The point is, I am not sure whether I would like my job post MBA.

Right now, I am very confused and haven't been able to make the decision. My family has always been supportive and they are fine even if I go foreign for doing MBA.
I can't do both the things i.e. join our family business after the MBA. If I spend some 50 lakhs for an MBA, I would have to recover them back on my own after doing a job.

In short, its Lifestyle vs work -not sure which one I should prefer.
Any-kind of input from your side might help.

Regards,
Ajay.

142
The gr8 1 Says
..and this thread here probably was the thing i was looking for.
Honoured, sire!

B.Tech...MBA degree from IIT Roorkee...VERY big company...7 figure salary...excellent work-life balance.
I had no problem with all this so far, till you dropped the bombshell -->

Yes i am a government employee
Then I had to drink some water, take a few deep breaths and get back to typing my response. Bhraatashree, I'm sure if you leave that job, thousands of puys would be willing to jump right in.

i want to do an MBA in operations to begin with, and get into a MNC which can pay me truckloads more than my current organisation.
Not car-loads, not tempo-loads...truck-loads it is. Point noted.

Would it make any real sense for me to quit my job.. spend 50 lakhs.. loose out on nearly 25 lakhs of rupees i could have earnt in the same time here in my job??
I don't know what exactly you do at work, so I'll be making sweeping (and maybe incorrect) assumptions.

With 2 years work-ex in a job that has given you more work-life balance than a steep learning curve, I'd think your overall profile in terms of skills and accomplishment might need to be strengthened. If you can do that in the next year or two, then your 2-year MBA would be more productive.

The GMAT score, the MBA, your pre-MBA blue-eyed boy status are all of lesser importance. Your next employer will only care about what you'll do for them. If you've got the book, check out the section that talks about skills that an MBA will not teach you. Before you head to a bschool, build up those skills on your own. And that won't happen overnight.

- How much money can a truck carry?