My profile is as follows:
Acads:
BE Mechanical (University of Pune): 58%
12th: 75%
10th: 82%
Work Experience:
1 year
Position: CAD Engineer
Working as a group leader for my on going project and future projects in an Italian comany manufacturing drilling and foundation tools, machinery and accessories.
Extra curriculars: Participated in various robotic events during engineering n won some too. Also played a leadership role in a National Level robotics competition. Attended a couple of workshops. Currently nothing, other than learning to play the drums.
My purpose for MBA:
Basically I am a very technical guy, but I dont want to be just that. I want to develop my skills on the management side too and have a techno-commercial job. That is the reason I want to do my MBA in Operations Management or the SDM Course from MIT.
My queries:
1. Is doing an MBA from there really worth it?
2. What is the scope of getting a job in India after the MBA and some years of working in the USA? Cos I would like to return to my homeland after sometime (atleast that is the plan for now). Also, I have heard people say that there r a lot of differences in the operations in India and there, so would I face difficulties gettin a job here?
3. Is it really true that there are less no. of scholarships for MBA?
4. I am planning to apply in 2011 so that at the time of application I will have completed 2 years of work experience which is a requirement at most of the schools. Will this be enough to get me into a decent university after considering my academics? And wat chance do I have for scholarship?
5. From your previous posts I have understood that a good school is very important, I think atleast from among the top 30. So what kind of GMAT scores will they require for admision n scholarship, 700+?
6. Do I need to join coaching classes for the GMAT? I mean, will it make a lot of difference? Cos m planning to give my GMAT by March or April 2011, so I think I have enough time for self preparation and practice. What would u suggest?
7. I read in your 1st post that SDM needs a lot of work experience, but I dont wanna wait that long. So, is it possible to get admission for 2012?
8. If you have a negative feedback, then what would be your advice as to what more should I add to my profile other than work experience?
Looking forward to your reply.
1. Yes - as long as the MBA / Masters (& what specifically your study / learn) is consistent with your career goals, and complements or helps you transfer your experience and skills to your career post your masters or MBA.
2. The scope depends on your career, how it develops after the MBA and if you're working for the right companies. For example, IF you end up working abroad immediately after the MBA / Masters in:
a) a multi-national company that has strong ties to India (like an existing subsidiary)
and / or b) an industry that has strong growth prospects in India (automotive, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, life-sciences, industrial machinery)
and c) you have strong functional / management / leadership experience that a company / industry like above that will find strongly valuable & applicable to their operations
Yes - you should be able to find a good role in India after a few years abroad. Mind you, it's not likely to be easy, you'll need to choose your role and companies carefully
both immediately after the MBA
and when you plan your return to India.
Gaining the right experience which is hopefully consistent with your long term career goals + consistent with the demands of the market, company, country and industry - is critical.
3. Yes - MBAs normally give out fewer scholarships / assistantships and fellowships to their students than do other master's programs.
The reason is simple - most scientific and technical masters programs get corporate / endowment funding to conduct research a part of which is distributed amongst students towards financial aid, assistantships & scholarships (mind you - still very competitive). In effect these become a sort of "payment" for the students to contribute to specific scientific and technical research while doing their Masters in that particular university. M.Sc in science, engineering subjects are 50% research + 50% career focused education. A significant # of M.Sc students in these subjects go on to Doctoral studies (Ph.Ds).
MBAs by contrast study and leave, and very rarely contribute to research, so the very few scholarships that are given out are done purely with the aim to attract a more competitive profile of student. An MBA is 100% a career focused education.
4. 2 years of experience is too little for the career you seek
and for the schools you're thinking about. Your academics are weak and the only way you can take them out of the equation when applying is through spectacular professional achievement in the next 1 year (like a significant invention)
or several years of experience backed by strong skills, career progress, leadership experience and a bag of success. All of that takes time, a minimum of 5 years out of college.
Don't measure your career by your chances of getting into school next year. Measure your career by the skills you gain in your job. Getting recruited by a company after an MBA / Masters is 75% your pre-MBA skills and 25% the school you go to. So it's a lot more to do with you.
With 2 years under your belt, you're unlikely to have acquired skills that a post MBA / MAsters employer will value!
5.700+ is highly recommended. It takes away any doubts as to your academic ability.
6 Yes. I do recommend that. It will help you spend time focussing on the GMAT and help you prepare.
7. Highly unlikely. Refer my comments on point 4 above.
8.
Work for about 5-6 years, achieve a bag of skills, progress and professional experience your future employer will value. You seem clear about your long term goal. But build skills, employers will value those above your degree. Learn a foreign language, it will help you signal a skill to your future employer. And since you want a long term career in commercial operations - try applying to the MIT LGO program 5 years from now.
All the best.
Baccardisprite
(till my 7th semester out of 10. It is a dual degree course)