I am Raghu, i am an Engineering graduate(2010 Batch) working as a Pre-Sales Engineer in a Small Private Company in Bangalore for the past 6 Months. I am an MBA aspirant and looking forward to give GMAT this year. But honestly i have very little idea on what i really want......I have interest in Sports Management but after talking to a few Indians who have opted for the course, I did not get a positive feedback for the same. I am also keen on going into Finance , Event management in the entertainment section , but again i am ready learn but currently i have no knowledge on any of them.
The only reason i am rushing for an MBA is because many people have told me that even after an MBA if one wants a career change then they have to start from scrach. Also i am eager to achieve something as soon as possible rather than working in a job for 4 years and then trying for something.
I understand that many of my statements may be ambiguous but i have tried to focus light on my thoughts. Kindly guide me as to how do i get into a good college? Which course would give a boost to my career?
Is it wise to go for an MBA with such low working experience?
Thankshttp://cdn.pagalguy.net/pagalguy/smilies/new_alien.gif
The first good thing is you're honest about not knowing what you really want. Unfortunately, only father time (specifically the next 4-5 years) will help with that. Your readiness to learn is admirable, but you need to match that willingness with patience, discipline and diligence.
If you're rushing into an MBA "now" (with less than 2 years), the education is unlikely to add any professional or notional value to your profile - and you're likely to have to start from scratch... This is because you probably will not have the skills - valuable, applicable and (most critically) transferable to a job after the MBA, which is 75% of why an employer will hire you for a role that requires some experience & skills. The MBA (or any other relevant education) is the 25% that complements / broadens existing skills & expertise in 1/2 functional areas.
Unlike many others, you have the opportunity as a Pre-Sales engineer to do a core function in your company - involving both using / improving technical knowledge of the product / service you sell + intense interaction with clients. Pre-sales would also involve discussions around costing (internally with your colleagues in finance), pricing & positioning (with your marketing colleagues). This is experience worth gaining at a young age as it will shape your skills & expertise in the area of client interaction. Work on this for 2-3 years and gain some base skills. While on the job, undertake other activities that will help you improve your profile (learn a foreign language to intermediate fluency) and explore your interests in the area of entertainment & finance through targeted professional or social interaction. If in finance, try and network with your finance colleagues and ask them to involve you in client specific projects. There's a lot you can do.
In my opinion, many people are giving you wrong advice around MBA & careers after. You don't have to start from scratch if you bring 5 years of solid functional expertise behind you that can be transferred to a different function or industry. E.g - 5 years of solid pre-sales / sales / marketing experience, along with the customer access, positioning knowledge and skills that come with it - position you for consulting, strategy or corporate marketing roles. You start one level short of manager out there (or perhaps manager level if your skills are good enough for that). Hardly starting from scratch.... The critical element is what skills you can offer a future employer and where & how they can apply those skills in the job & in their business.... With less than 2 years, you have nothing to offer, you'll find it difficult in a competitive environment abroad and you'll have to start from scratch if you're fortunate enough to find a job....
To answer your question - it is not advisable to go for an MBA abroad with such low experience. If you're in a rush, prepare for & give the CAT and get into a good b-school in India (you know the ones). No course abroad will boost your career now, it's just not likely because you don't have the skills / experience / expertise to offer anything to your future employer at this time.... Work for 5 years, learn, up-skill, achieve...then go for the right MBA / similar education.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Iam not looking for top universities as iam not sure whether i will fit into that crowd.Iam looking for universities where i would feel comfortable.For me feeling comfortable is more important inorder to do well.Hence,suggest me some good schools & not the great ones.