Hi Baccardisprite.
I have been following this thread for a while now and least to say that ur precise knowledge and crisp answers have been great.
My profile: BE (Electrical and Electronics)- 72% (2008 batch), X -82%,
XII- 59.2% 
Was selected in L&T; Infotech and Syntel in Campus recruitment but couldn't join any of them due to market slowdown in 2008 (No DOJ given by both the companies). Since earning was a prime priority i thought of joining a 'Recession Free' industry and thats where the thought of Education struck my mind.
Since last 22 months i am associated with the education Industry, worked with IMS,currently with Career launcher mumbai.My roles apart from teaching have been Taking Seminars at different colleges, Counselling, Creating strategies for BTL activities and marketing and also product development - CAT.
All these years i have nevr thought of an MBA abroad, although MBA in India has always been a pre-requisite (to put it that way) for a specific career growth. Now i have started thinking about MBA/MS abroad.
I really need to take a call on a degree in India or abroad.
Can u suggest programms abroad that will suit my profile and help me to get a job.
PLZZZZZ
hi to one and all here..
i am doing my final year of engineering..
and i am very keen in doing a management related course in the US
since i don't have work ex..i don't have many options.
thats when i happened to see HULT international business school offering an MIB( masters in international business) which is a one year course and they have many branches as in Boston, San Francisco , Dubai , Shanghai and London.
They are asking for toefl scores... and the course kinda looks expensive.. USD 30,000
i don't have much idea on this... but on the whole..do u think i should apply??
if someone could help, i do be very grateful
thanks...
hi to one and all here..
i am doing my final year of engineering..
and i am very keen in doing a management related course in the US
since i don't have work ex..i don't have many options.
thats when i happened to see HULT international business school offering an MIB( masters in international business) which is a one year course and they have many branches as in Boston, San Francisco , Dubai , Shanghai and London.
They are asking for toefl scores... and the course kinda looks expensive.. USD 30,000
i don't have much idea on this... but on the whole..do u think i should apply??
if someone could help, i do be very grateful
thanks...
I have the same problem...plz puys help us....
baccardisprite SaysWork in your company for another 3-4 years. Learn, learn and learn some more 😃 Don't waste the knowledge and experience you're gaining now. Break out when you have something to offer! With 1.5 years now, you'll have very little to offer a prospective consulting employer. In this period, upgrade & upskill yourself al that you can - learning a language is one of them.
In the fall of 2013, aim to get into MIT's LGO (formerly LFM) or Kellogg's MMM, or Stanford's MS&E; program, then make a play for consulting. You'd be taking solid knowledge & experience in the nuts & bolts of an industry (operational and customer facing) and be able to complement that with a techno-commercial education. You'll have no issues getting face time in front of the consulting recruiters on campus.
Both Kellogg & MIT have fantastic Asia networks, you'll have no problems getting Alumni help to get doors opened. Of course you'll need to have the right at that time to deserve to walk through those doors.
The statement that you won't be welcome in consulting after 4-5 years experience is garbage. Those who tell you that speak from a rather warped view from a business school - which is centered around "getting into consulting". Very few look beyond, and very few think about what one would offer as a consultant to a client.
Think it over - see yourself as a client and wonder whether you want a McKinsey Consultant with no (or very little) pre-consulting experience in core manufacturing strategizing your automobile company for you (you will get a deck of nice slides regardless of the quality of content)
Consulting is advising your client about their business by understanding & knowing their business, industry and the economic context around which their industry & business operates! If you can't bring any expertise & knowledge, the quality of advice you're giving is questionable at best if not downright dubious.
With 5+ years in the automotive industry, a top notch education like LGO, MMM or MS&E;, at least one foreign language (German, Japanese help a lot for automotive) alongside English - now a consultant with that sort of profile is likely to give you better advice, right?
All the best
Thanks for your reply.
There are a couple of other things also that i wanted to ask.
1. I did not mention in my earlier post that i would like to move out of manufacturing/automotive industry after my education. At the risk of sounding too stereotypical and naive, i find this indutsry very slow and it would not be my first choice to come back.
2. I feel that i would be happier doing more marketing oriented (than operations) roles. Although for the past 2.5 years, i've been involved in mostly operations.
a. How likely is it that i'd be able to accomplish these goles after my MBA/Masters?
b. While i completely agree with your point on working more and then going for a good course, i feel that along the way, the monotony of the job may get the better of me and i might end up applying to all kind of schools. In that case, which schools (indian as well), would be recommended keeping in mind my aspirations?
c. And the big one, what is the acceptance rate like for the dual courses u mentioned? how do i 'build' my profile for these (or any other) management courses?
Looking forward to your reply :)
Cheers
Was selected in L&T; Infotech and Syntel in Campus recruitment but couldn't join any of them due to market slowdown in 2008 (No DOJ given by both the companies). Since earning was a prime priority i thought of joining a 'Recession Free' industry and thats where the thought of Education struck my mind. Since last 22 months i am associated with the education Industry, worked with IMS,currently with Career launcher mumbai.My roles apart from teaching have been Taking Seminars at different colleges, Counselling, Creating strategies for BTL activities and marketing and also product development - CAT.
All these years i have nevr thought of an MBA abroad, although MBA in India has always been a pre-requisite (to put it that way) for a specific career growth. Now i have started thinking about MBA/MS abroad. I really need to take a call on a degree in India or abroad. Can u suggest programms abroad that will suit my profile and help me to get a job.
PLZZZZZ
Anything I suggest will be of little value without you clarifying your goals (most importantly for yourself).
What career are you seeking that will help you choose the right program to support those goals? What do you want to do functionally, in what type of industry / company, and in what geography? Think this over and come back to me. Then I'll give you good advice.
All the best
reddevil99 SaysI have the same problem...plz puys help us....
Aditijayaraj + reddevil99, Why would you not want to work after graduation?
1. I did not mention in my earlier post that i would like to move out of manufacturing/automotive industry after my education. At the risk of sounding too stereotypical and naive, i find this indutsry very slow and it would not be my first choice to come back.
2. I feel that i would be happier doing more marketing oriented (than operations) roles. Although for the past 2.5 years, i've been involved in mostly operations.
a. How likely is it that i'd be able to accomplish these goles after my MBA/Masters?
b. While i completely agree with your point on working more and then going for a good course, i feel that along the way, the monotony of the job may get the better of me and i might end up applying to all kind of schools. In that case, which schools (indian as well), would be recommended keeping in mind my aspirations?
c. And the big one, what is the acceptance rate like for the dual courses u mentioned? how do i 'build' my profile for these (or any other) management courses?
Looking forward to your reply 😃
Cheers
1. So tell me, what is a "fast" industry?
If you want to do consulting, it is best to have experience and transferable skills from one industry that yoiu can apply relevantly to another. For e.g - the manufacturing excellence processes in automobiles can very well be taken to other precision & heavy machinery, and are increasingly being applied to areas like Pharma / Biotech, historically not known as centers for manufacturing excellence (statement applies to costs & supply chain efficiency, NOT quality where Pharma is paranoid). In short - no issues moving out of automobiles, but make sure you find ways to retain what you learnt within this industry, in the job, in school and as a consultant which you hopefully will become.
2. You said previously that you wanted to be a consultant... have you changed your mind already :-)?
a) skills, experience, excellence .... you'll make it.
b) first make up your mind... then apply to schools! My previous message on this stands (which was based on your consulting ambitions)....
c) they're challenging to get into.
All the best
Hi Baccardisprite,
Untill I recently, I was planning on an MBA abroad as a path to fulfillment of my career objectives but thanks to your posts, I have discovered better alternatives. Let me pull up the relevant details for you:
1. Education: B.Tech. Biotechnology (2009) with CGPA of 8.20; additional courses in IPR (WIPO) and QMS (BSi).
2. Work ex: Started recently as a GET at a global biosupplier major. Landed the job off-campus without any reference through a maze of interviews, technical discussion and aptitude test. Got placed in an IT company through campus recruitment but yet to get a joining date.
3. Career Plans: Technology assessment/management and policy analysis/formulation, especially in therapeutics and biosupplies (already working in this domain). I understand these terms are too hot-shot for a beginner but with continued learning, I intend to get there sooner rather than later. What I know is that this is the domain I would work best;first industry-then consulting-and finally finishing off in academia.
Possible career focus being on technology transfer to emerging nations (life sciences again), uniform dissemination of technology products(vaccines, nutraceuticals). Some more avenues to explore. Admittedly, the specific domain is still tentative;when make a decision when I have learnt enough but yes, therapeutics is an area of keen interest.
4. Courses: TPP (MIT) and EPA (TU Delft). Also exploring CMU and Stanford. Already speaking to MIT and Delft and discovered that what they teach and what I want to learn fit.
5. Why this career: A sincere interest in assessing technology as a function of society and vice versa, Swami Vivekananda(his thoughts are a very strong influence), Childhood ex (presenting national level award-winning techno-social projects since age 10).
6. Acads: Good except +2.
7. Extra and co-curricular: Lots; Award-winning projects Projects, Summer Research ex at top industry n govt. labs (Ranbaxy and NCCS), Head of Lit Comm in College, Cheif Ed of College Magazine, Coordinator of Corporate Resource Centre, Working with a Scientic Foundation (NGO) for past 1.5 years, Achiever's award in 'Excellence in Knowledge Creation' from University- intention to play it well as preparation for prospective career, National Topper in English in CBSE Boards (0.1% certificate), etc.
8. Other stregths: Am sure of what I want to do (preparing since 2nd year of college), Have established decent contacts in industry n govt. sector and learning from them, strong hold over written n oral english, persistent (wrote to so many ppl that facebook suspected me of being a spammer).
9. My questions:
i. How can I make my profile more engaging? Joining international comm. is an option but I don't have the fees to pay.
ii. I have some basic knowledge of German. Would building on that be of any advantage?
iii. I plan to apply for the fall 2011 session. EPA and TPP say such experience would suffice. Is that actually so?
iv. Are there any organizations regarding technology (life science specially) and policy forums of which I can be a part without burning a hole into my pocket?
v. How can I be more market-savvy? I religiously dig to business mag, IBEF etc.?
vi. Any specific DOs or DONTs regarding the application process, specially the TPP?
vii. While the EPA program is good, the employment scenario post-graduation is not clear. Your opinion on the same is deeply solicited.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Partha
Hey!
This is further to the previous post. I did get some valuable work ex at my first company but have had to quit.
My plans are pretty much the same as above with one addition, I would like to focus on the vaccine industry, at least in the interim.
I have 2 job offers at hand:
1. Analyst, Scientific Competitive Intelligence at a growing national life science service firm.
2. Research Analyst. Pharma/Biotech, Frost and Sullivan
On the face of it, the latter offers greater exposure and brand name. The diversity of work and responsibilities are higher.
Which would you recommend?
Thanks and regards,
Partha
Youre interested in ops management, SCM etc.... and mention a post-grad degree like it was your goal. What lies beyond? Why are you giving yourself deadlines (like 2011) before having gained enough skill, expertise, and traction in your current industry / function? Answer these questions for yourself before going for an education now.
While thinking about it - do look at the advice I have given others here, spend enough time learning, up-skilling, gaining experience and progressing in your career. In addition to the Masters education you will doubtless acquire going forward, you need to make yourself attractive to your future employer (s).
Even if you do go for a Masters now, you will need several years of functional experience (9-10 years since you will still be young & less experienced) to make it to a managerial position. If you spend 4-5 years working now, you`ll need less time after Masters to rise up an organization.
Between MoM & M.S IE, I would go for the latter now. More quantitative and grounded in reality, technical in nature but multiple industry applicable and transferable - an M.S in IE with electives in areas like Supply Chain Optimization, Decision Sciences, Advanced Cost Management in Operations, Manufacturing Excellence - along with cross-registered courses like Corporate Finance and Strategy. Georgia Tech (the best), MIT (ESD), Stanford (MS&E;), Purdue, Michigan, Berkeley, TU Delft (Holland), NITIE (India).. are the worlds best schools of Industrial Engineering.
In India - NITIE is pretty much top, in fact would highly recommend NITIE at this stage of your life.
Cheerz & All the best
Thank you sir for the reply.
You rightly said that up-skilling, gaining experience and progressing should be the prime focus at this stage. But even after 7 months at job, bosses are very hesitant to give responsibilities.It would not be wrong to say that there has been almost no value addition in last 7 months, and according to seniors @work this would continue for some more time as bosses generally give close to no work to fresh graduates. But i only wish that with time things would improve. Switching job would not help either.
I mentioned 2011 to tell that i atleast want to be at work for 20-22 months before going for masters.
I would be grateful if you can glance through my profile and guide me about chances of an admit to universities you mentioned. ( All are top notch schools and admit would not be easy) Ofcourse, GRE score, LORs, SOP etc would be equally important.
My Profile :- home (goenkapankaj)
Hey BaccardiSprite
You are simply doing an awesome job here. This thread is around 2 years old and you still make it a point to help out the confused souls. Take a Bow!!!:clap:
Even I have some questions to decide upon my future course. Here goes my story-
1. B.E. from one of the top colleges in Karnataka (and fairly well known in India) with 70.7%
2. Got 2 campus offers, working with one of them-General Motors India as a Human-Machine_interface Design Engineer for past 2 years
3. I want to change my career path from, to put it in your words, a technocrat to a business manager and launched a full fledged attempt to get into one of the well known B-schools in India. But I was outperformed by way too many students in all the entrance tests that I gave and I'm down to only one college (Welingkar's Mumbai. Bangalore is NOT an option for me) left which is worth spending Lakhs together. Hoping for a call to next round from them. I do not want to give this another try if I don't make it this time (bound by some obligations)
4. So, I started reserching for alternate career launchers in management and I came to know about the Masters in various management subjects. I guess the programs in UK are the most popular ones when it comes to MSc in management verticals.
5. These courses (in UK) will cost roughly 20L per year according to my prelim research. These being one year courses, one's expenditure should end there (theoritically). But the catch here is , there are no placements on-campus like B-schools (thats what I have learnt so far, please correct me if I'm wrong). So, the million dollar question is, is it worth the risk investing 20L in any of the top universities in UK over the 8-10L for 2yrs MBA at Welingkar's (assuming that I make it into Welingkar's Mumbai)? What does the job scene look like if I do Msc in Finance or Accounting and Finance or Marketing or Systems or IT or supply chain and Logistics or General Management from one of the following universities?
University of Bath
University of Edinburgh
University of Birmingham
Lancaster University
University of Nottingham
University of Leeds
University of Manchester
(Listed these universities based on the ranking in The Guardian and Financial Times and the suggestions from friends in the UK)
I'm interested in finance and found the course contents of MSc in Accounting and Finance suiting my interests. My second preference is Marketing. I am inclined towards Bath for their course contents and course ranking, relatively lower living expenses, relatively higher possibility of finding a part time job (as its very close to Bristol which has a port and port means jobs) and its(Business School of University of Bath) consistent improvement in rankings (Year on Year) of The Guardian and Financial Times.
Will I be atleast able to get a job within a quarter of completing my Masters in UK/EU/Middle East/Asia?
Please take some time to help me. Your suggestions are highly valued and appreciated. Thanks in Advance.
Anything I suggest will be of little value without you clarifying your goals (most importantly for yourself).
What career are you seeking that will help you choose the right program to support those goals? What do you want to do functionally, in what type of industry / company, and in what geography? Think this over and come back to me. Then I'll give you good advice.
All the best
well I am just 21..i was placed in Wipro..but didn't join..i know it doesn't matter but my point is that i am not ready for a job right now..i just want to pursue my career in management field and enhance myself as an individual..and my question is that since the b-schools are giving preference to work ex individuals so do i stand a chance as a fresher...???
baccardisprite SaysAditijayaraj + reddevil99, Why would you not want to work after graduation?
well I am just 21..i was placed in Wipro..but didn't join..i know it doesn't matter but my point is that i am not ready for a job right now..i just want to pursue my career in management field and enhance myself as an individual..and my question is that since the b-schools are giving preference to work ex individuals so do i stand a chance as a fresher...???
sorry for the above one it was my mistake..
Hey!
This is further to the previous post. I did get some valuable work ex at my first company but have had to quit. My plans are pretty much the same as above with one addition, I would like to focus on the vaccine industry, at least in the interim.
1. Analyst, Scientific Competitive Intelligence at a growing national life science service firm.
2. Research Analyst. Pharma/Biotech, Frost and Sullivan
On the face of it, the latter offers greater exposure and brand name. The diversity of work and responsibilities are higher.
Which would you recommend? Thanks and regards,
Partha
If business research, analysis (and consulting long term) is the area you want to get into - I'd go with option 2.
All the best.
Cheerz
Thank you sir for the reply.
You rightly said that up-skilling, gaining experience and progressing should be the prime focus at this stage. But even after 7 months at job, bosses are very hesitant to give responsibilities.It would not be wrong to say that there has been almost no value addition in last 7 months, and according to seniors @work this would continue for some more time as bosses generally give close to no work to fresh graduates. But i only wish that with time things would improve. Switching job would not help either.
I mentioned 2011 to tell that i atleast want to be at work for 20-22 months before going for masters.
I would be grateful if you can glance through my profile and guide me about chances of an admit to universities you mentioned. ( All are top notch schools and admit would not be easy) Ofcourse, GRE score, LORs, SOP etc would be equally important.
My Profile :- home (goenkapankaj)
At 7 months, even I would be a little hesitant 😃 That's not a reflection of you as a person, just the age and the lack of experience. Nearly everyone has to wade through this period (I did as well for the first 2-3 years in my pre-MBA employment).
Don't worry - perform what you're given without mistakes and (where possible) with minimal supervision, learn from what you do right and what you do wrong, and stay patient and disciplined. Bajaj is an excellent brand within India for core manufacturing experience. Give it 3 full years and take something tangible with you. Even going for an M.S (a partially research focused education), the experience you gain from Bajaj will help you marry academic analysis with real world insight.
With your academic record, I don't see why you can't get into any of the mentioned colleges. Prepare diligently, and make sure your essays or statements of purpose clearly articulate goals first and then the need and rationale for that specific education in order to get there.
All the best
Cheerz
hi sir
ia m a fina year engg student and wud like to do a pre work ex course in Msc. Management/Finance that admits freshers ... I researched regarding this and found that that doing such a course in Europe / Uk would require me to take GMAt while doing MEM (Engg . Management), which is a similar course in mgmt in US schools wud require me to take GRE ... am pretty confused as to what path to follow , whi ch exam shud i be taking ..... i have an aim to pursue a pg degree in Management field with some courses in Finance ...
I think for MSc. in finance one requires a work ex in Fin field and also needs to take GMAT ..
Hey BaccardiSprite
You are simply doing an awesome job here. This thread is around 2 years old and you still make it a point to help out the confused souls. Take a Bow!!!:clap:
Even I have some questions to decide upon my future course. Here goes my story-
1. B.E. from one of the top colleges in Karnataka (and fairly well known in India) with 70.7%
2. Got 2 campus offers, working with one of them-General Motors India as a Human-Machine_interface Design Engineer for past 2 years
3. I want to change my career path from, to put it in your words, a technocrat to a business manager and launched a full fledged attempt to get into one of the well known B-schools in India. But I was outperformed by way too many students in all the entrance tests that I gave and I'm down to only one college (Welingkar's Mumbai. Bangalore is NOT an option for me) left which is worth spending Lakhs together. Hoping for a call to next round from them. I do not want to give this another try if I don't make it this time (bound by some obligations)
4. So, I started reserching for alternate career launchers in management and I came to know about the Masters in various management subjects. I guess the programs in UK are the most popular ones when it comes to MSc in management verticals.
5. These courses (in UK) will cost roughly 20L per year according to my prelim research. These being one year courses, one's expenditure should end there (theoritically). But the catch here is , there are no placements on-campus like B-schools (thats what I have learnt so far, please correct me if I'm wrong). So, the million dollar question is, is it worth the risk investing 20L in any of the top universities in UK over the 8-10L for 2yrs MBA at Welingkar's (assuming that I make it into Welingkar's Mumbai)? What does the job scene look like if I do Msc in Finance or Accounting and Finance or Marketing or Systems or IT or supply chain and Logistics or General Management from one of the following universities?
University of Bath
University of Edinburgh
University of Birmingham
Lancaster University
University of Nottingham
University of Leeds
University of Manchester
(Listed these universities based on the ranking in The Guardian and Financial Times and the suggestions from friends in the UK)
I'm interested in finance and found the course contents of MSc in Accounting and Finance suiting my interests. My second preference is Marketing. I am inclined towards Bath for their course contents and course ranking, relatively lower living expenses, relatively higher possibility of finding a part time job (as its very close to Bristol which has a port and port means jobs) and its(Business School of University of Bath) consistent improvement in rankings (Year on Year) of The Guardian and Financial Times.
Will I be atleast able to get a job within a quarter of completing my Masters in UK/EU/Middle East/Asia?
Please take some time to help me. Your suggestions are highly valued and appreciated. Thanks in Advance.
Youre working in a big brand name auto company (OK, not a shining example of financial management recently) in probably the most intellectually stimulating area of machinery / precision engineering, and you want to leave!
While I see nothing wrong with your long term goal of entering the commercial side of the business, why the rush to leave? What makes you leave an opportunity to learn something many would give a lot for? You get it for free with a salary to boot :-).... Bottomline - you have an opportunity in the next 3-4 years to build a truly superior profile....
And if youre interested in Finance, why wont you target a London based school for a finance education? All your listed schools are 2nd tier...
I promise to give you truly valuable and actionable advise, if you will take a career & learning focused long term view and not simply give me a laundry list of schools to comment on, or asking questions like "what are my chances" or " can / should I do this or that". I apologize if my answer irritates you, but am requesting you to think about what youre doing.
To your questions on placement - its not like there are no placements, just that its a very different concept abroad. Abroad, a career services team helps to facilitate contact with recruiters through on-campus presentations and 1st round interviews, but the final & decisive interviews are at the companys premises. A career services office (what we know in India as a placement cell) is cant guarantee and is not responsible to find you a job (as most Indians unfortunately & misguidedly believe). The good career services offices have competent people who work to bring companies, executives and alumni to meet, and network on campus with students, help & tran students to present themselves and network with confidence, and coach them to effectively put their best feet forward in the job search, whether through on-campus or off-campus searches. Such career offices tend to be with the best schools, with the most experienced personnel (many with industry experience).
Many students, with years of experience independently search for their jobs by looking around on their own, networking with alumni, friends and contacts they gain from their networks (professional, personal, through faculty, friends and even family). Its a truly challenging but ultimately rewarding exercise where the student matches himself / herself to a job he / she really wants.
Stay in touch.
All the best
Cheerz
Hello,
1) I am a Commerce graduate of DU and am looking to work in the Middle East in the long run.
2) I am looking to register for the ACCA qualification, but needed a rough idea of the job profiles that I could get once I clear all the papers.
3) Also, do you think the ACCA qualification is in demand in the Middle East? And is there scope for growth on the job front?
4) As a separate query, can the Executive MBA Programme of Symbiosis, Pune be considered as a Masters degree (classes held on weekends only)?
And thank you so much for your time!
2. Google - Search for "Jobs for ACCA qualified Professionals"! OR go to Job Vacancies & Recruitment - Michael Page International and search for the finance and accounting jobs. Or simply go to ACCA Homepage and go through the site. not difficult to find profiles of jobs. Check out Robert Halfs (famous recruitment consultants) site for the middle east as well....
3. Whether or not in demand - Id say its recognized & respected. Its a proper British Accounting qualification, and Id say its very well respected. Believe they should have a Dubai chapter.
4. Good question. Normally should be, would help if its called a "Master" of something instead of "PG Diploma....".
All the best
well I am just 21..i was placed in Wipro..but didn't join..i know it doesn't matter but my point is that i am not ready for a job right now..i just want to pursue my career in management field and enhance myself as an individual..and my question is that since the b-schools are giving preference to work ex individuals so do i stand a chance as a fresher...???
sorry for the above one it was my mistake..
While an increasing proportion of entrants to Indias top school are experienced to varying degrees, I think Indian schools will continue to take in freshers for a while longer. So go for it. Prepare for CAT with discipline and diligence and you might surprise yourself pleasantly. Good schools abroad will generally not admit freshers unless theyre something extraordinary.
Just one thing though, can you explain specifically how a management education (now) will enhance you as an individual more than working?
Youre working in a big brand name auto company (OK, not a shining example of financial management recently) in probably the most intellectually stimulating area of machinery / precision engineering, and you want to leave!
While I see nothing wrong with your long term goal of entering the commercial side of the business, why the rush to leave? What makes you leave an opportunity to learn something many would give a lot for? You get it for free with a salary to boot :-).... Bottomline - you have an opportunity in the next 3-4 years to build a truly superior profile....
And if youre interested in Finance, why wont you target a London based school for a finance education? All your listed schools are 2nd tier...
I promise to give you truly valuable and actionable advise, if you will take a career & learning focused long term view and not simply give me a laundry list of schools to comment on, or asking questions like "what are my chances" or " can / should I do this or that". I apologize if my answer irritates you, but am requesting you to think about what youre doing.
To your questions on placement - its not like there are no placements, just that its a very different concept abroad. Abroad, a career services team helps to facilitate contact with recruiters through on-campus presentations and 1st round interviews, but the final & decisive interviews are at the companys premises. A career services office (what we know in India as a placement cell) is cant guarantee and is not responsible to find you a job (as most Indians unfortunately & misguidedly believe). The good career services offices have competent people who work to bring companies, executives and alumni to meet, and network on campus with students, help & tran students to present themselves and network with confidence, and coach them to effectively put their best feet forward in the job search, whether through on-campus or off-campus searches. Such career offices tend to be with the best schools, with the most experienced personnel (many with industry experience).
Many students, with years of experience independently search for their jobs by looking around on their own, networking with alumni, friends and contacts they gain from their networks (professional, personal, through faculty, friends and even family). Its a truly challenging but ultimately rewarding exercise where the student matches himself / herself to a job he / she really wants.
Stay in touch.
All the best
Cheerz
Thanks a lot for sparing time for me. I totally understand what you are saying and I would subscribe to the same view. But there are certain things to my case which I cannot discuss openly. I'll PM you.
And yes, I promise you that I'm looking at a career of learning and contribution. Want to do something remarkable--I believe that the greatest pleasure in life is to do something that people say cannot be done. Need your guidance to get there. Thanks once again..!!
Dear Mr Sprite ,
Thank you for the continuous effort yo have put in on this thread for last two years .
My story is like this ,
I am BE Mech with total 5 yrs of exp ( 3 yrs post graduation + 2 yrs pre graduation )
My pre graduation exp is primarily cold calling and sales for a construction building material company .
I dnt have such excellent acads , it took me 6 yrs to complete by BE , 10TH AND 12TH scored pretty averagely 77 % and 55 %.
But last three years I am involved in some hardcore consulting / concept selling / business development . I provide solutions ( IT tools ) to improve project management in Engineering and Construction companies . My interaction is 90% of the time with the C-, D- Level executives . For last one year I am with a company providing Lean and Green construction methodologies to E&C; companies . I am enjoying my work however the confusion in my mind now is :
My competitor's who are basically guys in the 35 -45 yr old bracket with Orcale / Microsoft take home some 40 lacs - 1cr as a salary on an annual basis .
I understand I have only 3 yrs of exp compared to them but I have started my career in this niche segment , whereas others have started by selling some hardware and then enterd this niche segment .
Now the question is how should I propel myself into that league ,
My current company is a small company but doing a big thing if you consider our Value proposition to the clients . Should I continue with them ?
Or as every one says should I jump to some branded company immaterial of the profile or role I get ?
To be true after being in this segment , I am not enticed in box selling or hardware selling where 90% of the time you interact with Procurement Managers at the client side and not the business owners .
I have been fortunate to have been trained and mentored by some highly exp sales guys from top IT companies , they strongly feel I should stick with Marekting / BD / Sales role because they say I got potential . Currently I am being mentored by one guy whom I report to ,a foreign national ( Ex VP Sales-Autodesk ) . So if I leave my current job for a branded company and I loose my interaction with my Mentor . He says , I am too young ( 26 yr old ) to be in this segment and hence I am facing obstacles even if I talk sense no egoistic Business owner is going to take me seriously .
I have never bothered for money however after 3 yrs now I feel I deserve to be working in the 6-8 lacs bracket at least . Now how do I get into this league is the question ?
I thought I should get into a big B School but again I am not very fond of competitive exams nor I am interested in a theoretic course . My acads are avg but when I spoke to some Deans and Admission officers of European colleges , they all find my profile very refreshing and interesting .
After , my MBA I really wish to be in Strategy consulting or heading business development activities of some company from India trying to establish itself in Europe or vice versa . I see good scope and lot of activity in this sector . Especially for European companies trying to enter India who might need some one who understand how the business owners think in India , a role which I experience day in and day out currently .
I came across Grenoble Ecole de Mgt from France , they were ready to exempt me for GMAT but when they saw my profile and my future plans they have asked me to look into and apply for
Msc Business development ( MSc in Business Development - Grenoble Business School, France ) and not the MBA .
I met the program director of the Msc BD program and even she strongly feels I should apply for a specialization and not a generic MBA course . Can we believe them ?
What would be your advise at this juncture ?
Should I continue working with my current company or should I move into a Branded firm irrespective of the product or role ?
Since , I have not taken any GMAT / CAT ( I have appeared for AIM - Manila entrance test but it didnt go good either ) I am skeptical that I sound desperate to get into some good B school ......
Since this year I have missed the dates for GMAT , my options are pretty limited .
University of Bath
Asian Institute of Technology ( Thailand )
Grenoble Ecole Management
AIM - Manila ( If I get through )
and other Msc programs.
Kindly advise !
(Note : I have tried to keep my story as small as possible , I understand you have a lot of eager posts waiting to be replied )