I am a mech engg with 5 yrs of work ex in power sector( execution+project management ) with reliance infra. GMAT --will take on 3 oct ,11
> What specialisation i should be looking for...Manyof my peers/seniors said that after 5 yrs of workex one should not be going for general management programme...but one should be crystal clear about specialisation....Is it so....??...what programmees/colleges will u suggest with my job ex...I am targetting Insead/NUS/HKUST/ISB/XLRI GMP/Glakes/IE ?? is this the right choice
> I am interested in international buisness/SCM but have absolutely no exp in both. My knowledege is also limited in both this fields. Is this change in domain ( from construction/project management to international buisness ) welcomed by colleges.....how does one justify making a career in some domain in which one does not have exp in ??
When one starts in new field/domain do I need to start from bottom again something like MT inspite of having 5 yrs of workex.
> I saw colleges like Insead asking for international exp....will my 8 days of short stint in china be sufficient to justify that.....?? I saw/learnt a lot in this 8 days... What should be reflected in essays so that my profile stands along with profiles having 2-5 yrs on international exp ??
Thanks in advance
mechanimal
Makings of a good professional profile! Prepare well for the GMAT and aim for a 730+ score line. First some generic feedback and advice.
International Business is a vague term. If you're working for Reliance Power implementing a project alongside JV partners from another country, then you're conducting international business. If you're implementing a project outside of India, that's international business. Supply Chain Management is different things to different industries. In certain industries, Supply Management / SCM covers the entire gamut of delivery of product or service from its raw materials / inputs right to the final customer / user (end-2-end). In some other companies / industries SCM is just logistics, a narrower definition.
Execution / Project Management experience in core, heavy or precision engineering / manufacturing / infrastructure (incl O&G;, Energy, Power, Civil infra) is valuable and globally relevant i.e as long as you continue to develop your skills (hard + softer skills as you rise up the ranks), you will always be in demand for employers and their advisors (i.e consultants). By the way, I assume your project management is in physical infra projects and not IT?!
In 5 years with Reliance Power you achieved success (consequently career progress) and and acquired a set of skills in your functional area (project management & execution), and hopefully have led people in small / large teams, thereby developing a level of leadership, client engagement and stakeholder management skills -- all of which corporate and consulting firms will seek first from your applications and when they interview you. As you have seen from my previous posts, this is your 75%. Your experience in Reliance Power is valuable, so whatever path you choose, make sure you ensure that path helps you transfer & apply the skills you have gained in these 5 years.
I would recommend you focus on a career in core / strategic operations meaning - strategic sourcing / procurement / manufacturing / planning / customer services / strategic supply & network development. These are areas where you will be able to transfer most if not all of your existing skills, and complement with education in an MBA with electives in finance, strategy and operations. Given what you have done, and referring above I don't think you need hugely specialist engineering education, but a top MBA with a strong set of targeted electives would help you. It would also open opportunities to both corporate as well as consulting roles.
My Indian picks would be - ISB & PGPX (IIM A/B/C)
My International picks - MIT-Sloan (LGO program), Ross-Michigan (MBA with the Tauber Institute)
4 top schools to whom you can write outstanding applications, and your referees can make a well argued case to the adcomm to admit you.
To your last point about starting at the bottom. Unless you make a complete change in function / industry (e.g move to marketing in an FMCG company) you're like to have your years of experience count for something, therefore will start at the Assistant Manager / Associate / Associate Manager level as a minimum, in a specific role or as part of a leadership / rotational program for post experienced / lateral hire / MBA candidates. Out of these programs (1-3 years in duration) you should become a 1st level manager / team leader. This is a standard approach. Something like a Reliance Accelerated Leadership Program (RALP) would be an ideal place for someone like you. Alternatively, you will enter at an Associate level (for MBAs) in a Consulting firm. In any case barring something like the FMCG example above, you will start well above the 1st level MT.
Prepare well and follow a diligent, well researched process, have patience, be disciplined, live moderately (save money), and you'll be fine.
All the best
Baccardisprite