International educational options beyond the MBA

MBA
1242


I currently have 2 years of full-time work experience in IT consulting and now I wish to quit and pursue my interest in the non-profit sector by assisting in their marketing, promotions, fundraising, and creative content writing activities but only on a part-time basis. Along with this, side by side I hope to work on my MBA/MIS applications for Fall 2013. In case I decide to continue working in this sector for another year, will the 2 years of IT experience + non-profit experience help me in my MBA admissions?

The non-profit sector may not be my ultimate career goal, but it is something that I would definitely like to be a part of if even for a short duration of time. If this I can bring out in my applications, would it go against me? Or will it add to my existing profile?

Additionally, since I will quit my current firm by June end and start my applications for Fall 2013, I will have only 3 months to contribute to a non-profit org. If i like the work I might pursue it. But I really want to do my MBA/MIS as soon as possible.

Please advise.

Thanks.


First - it's a big mistake to quit your job to concentrate on your applications. As a professional and future leader, you'll be expected to manage multiple priorities; skills to do so primarily gained through experience (NOT through education). Think very carefully about what you're doing....

Second - you want to Non-Profit sector work on a part-time basis, while concentrating on your applications.... Again - only full-time work is given credit on your application, not part-time volunteer work. The latter is an addendum to the data points you fill in on the MBA/MIS applications.

Third - you seem to be working off a Fall 2013 deadline. Why so? Why wouldn't you work for a few years longer, achieve greater experience, career progress, and competencies that post MBA/MIS employers would truly value.

What's your long term career goal?

Probably am not understanding your motivations, so could you please clarify; and I promise to advise you valuably.

All the best
Baccardisprite
1243

Hi Baccardisprite

My profile
10th CBSE 81
12TH CBSE 79

Computer Science Engineering from Manipal 2011 pass out.
Infosys 8 months work ex

Internships with infosys 4 months. Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania 1 month. Fullerton Securities 2 months.

I feel I have a real inclination towards stock trading. Is there any specific course you could reccomend for me or is it more worthwile to do an mba with courses on the side.

Am fed up with IT as that is not my true calling. Can you give me some tips on how to add value to my profile if I am looking out for higher education 6 months from now.

Appreciate your input

1244

Hi baccardisprite,

My long-term goal is to set up my own business. I do understand your concerns but I'm not quitting so that I can pursue my applications. I'm quitting because the work does not interest me enough anymore. I want to do something which helps me leverage my creativity and my talent.

Moreover, a bigger update - I had applied to the ESADE Full-Time MBA programme and I have received an acceptance for the programme beginning in September this year. I'm now at a junction and I need your advice. I have to take a decision on it by mid-May and send across all the documents.

I know that ESADE is a highly ranked programme and I think the structure of the curriculum is brilliant. But I'm worried about placements. Coming back to India after an MBA from Spain wouldn't do me much good or would it?

I need your advice at this point. I have 2 years of work experience in IT consulting. I'm elated to receive an admit but at the same time I'm concerned. It's a golden chance for me and I don't want to lose it.

Please help.

Thanks,

mbagirl2012

1245
Hi Baccardisprite

My profile
10th CBSE 81
12TH CBSE 79

Computer Science Engineering from Manipal 2011 pass out.
Infosys 8 months work ex

Internships with infosys 4 months. Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania 1 month. Fullerton Securities 2 months.

I feel I have a real inclination towards stock trading. Is there any specific course you could reccomend for me or is it more worthwile to do an mba with courses on the side.

Am fed up with IT as that is not my true calling. Can you give me some tips on how to add value to my profile if I am looking out for higher education 6 months from now.

Appreciate your input


Did it take you 1+ year to conclude that IT was not your calling? Didn't you have other career options out of what's a pretty good Engineering College (Manipal Inst. of Tech?)? Sigh... rhetorical!

If you want to get into stock trading, I believe (don't know specifics) there's something called NCFM in India; or CFA... Start studying for those.

Sorry to be harsh, but you're asking the wrong question. Question for you is - IF you go into an MBA/MS/Whatever 6 months from now (with whatever improvements on your profile), you have a little over 1 year of experience.... What do you want to do after that education? and do you have the experience / skill to convince the type of employer you want to work for, to recruit you? Who / what type of company is likely to recruit you?

Think and revert.

All the best
Baccardisprite
1246

My long-term goal is to set up my own business. I do understand your concerns but I'm not quitting so that I can pursue my applications. I'm quitting because the work does not interest me enough anymore. I want to do something which helps me leverage my creativity and my talent.

Moreover, a bigger update - I had applied to the ESADE Full-Time MBA programme and I have received an acceptance for the programme beginning in September this year. I'm now at a junction and I need your advice. I have to take a decision on it by mid-May and send across all the documents.

I know that ESADE is a highly ranked programme and I think the structure of the curriculum is brilliant. But I'm worried about placements. Coming back to India after an MBA from Spain wouldn't do me much good or would it?

I need your advice at this point. I have 2 years of work experience in IT consulting. I'm elated to receive an admit but at the same time I'm concerned. It's a golden chance for me and I don't want to lose it.

Please help. Thanks, mbagirl2012


Congratulations. Along with IE and IESE, ESADE makes up the big-3 from Spain amongst Europe's top schools. When it comes to placements and life after the MBA, several things to consider, but these are NOT to discourage you, because your heart appears set on going. They're to help you prepare to manage your exposure to the risks you're facing going for the program at your age, and with your experience profile.

1. Spain is in recession. As a non-Spanish and non-EU citizen, your chances of getting even a foot-hold in the school's closest job-market are very very poor. So you will have to hustle and spread your wings to other European countries (France and Italy facing similar problems).

2. When it comes to career, do you have any idea of the type of organizations you want to work for after the MBA? Even if entrepreneurship is your goal, do you have at least an idea of the path to get there? Have you thought of what skills, competencies and networks you will need in order to start & successfully grow your own business? What sort of jobs after the MBA would allow you to build skills and networks? In the ESADE context, does that school have alumni from recent classes whom you could have or have spoken to? Simply asking about placements is not enough. Think about how you can approach it.

Think about both, carefully....

In order to prepare yourself before & during the MBA, for the potential impacts of those risks:

- Learn Spanish, basic before you reach ESADE; and bring it up to intermediate / business fluency by the time you graduate.

- start making contacts and look for alumni in the industries / companies you target, and spread your search far and wide, including Latin America

- Join a functional / industry club (e.g consulting / marketing / healthcare etc) in your school and practice case & personal interviewing diligently.

- find mentors in the career services office to coach you to craft a strong job search strategy appropriate to your experience and skills (note with just 2+ years, you're looking at a fairly junior level entry post the MBA); and applicable to on-campus and off-campus searches.

- Budget an extra 7,000-10,000 to travel within Europe + at least one trip intercontinental (Asia / Latin America) for your job search. Don't hesitate to ask your parents if they can afford it.

- With 2 years, your choices may be limited, so be prepared to take up a job which is NOT yet the job you really dreamt of before the MBA; work towards building the skills and competencies for the career you really want.

- Stay in the Top 5% of the class. You might have to interview with the consultants / banks (at least due to potential lack of wider choices), and they will be competitive to get into. Stay ahead of the pack academically.

- While the environment is competitive, demonstrate collaborative behavior & teamwork, win friends and make networks. Very few of these will have an immediate / short term impact on your career. But your friends / networks are whom you will turn to (for support, financial & other) when your entrepreneurial ideas take shape.

- Be a good girl and stay out of trouble.

All the best
Baccardisprite
1247

Hi baccardisprite,
Here's my profile:

I completed my under-graduation in Mechanical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology with a CGPA of
8.05.I have been working in TCS since August 2010. I got a GMAt score of 720( Q49 V40).

I applied to Masters in Management( Rotterdam, HEC, ESCP) and some MBA programmes( Schulich, NUS, Sauder).

I did not even receive an interview call from any of the MBA programmes.I did apply in the last deadline though.

I have an admit from RSM for Msc General Management programme And have my interview for HEC early nest month. I also have an admit from IMI-Delhi.IMI is my safe option.

I am in a dilemma now. I want to go abroad and gain international experience but the kind of situation the continent is in right now is really scary. On top of it will the masters be really worth it ? Will it have any value if I have to come back and look for a job in India. I would like to get into technology consulting post my graduation. I have almost 2 years of work ex right now. Is it over qualified for a Msc?

I can't wait in IT anymore and have in fact already put in my papers. I would like your opinion on the choice between a not-so-great in Indian college(IMI) but which is safe, and two reputed EU schools where jobs might not be forthcoming after spending a ton of money.

How do you see the market shaping up right now in the Netherlands and France? How important is the local language going to be when it comes to job hunting? And how much will I be at a disadvantage(if any), when as a non-EU citizen when I am looking for a job after graduation specifically in the Netherlands.

Finally, how valuable will the Msc degrees from HEC and RSM be outside their countries and in India?

Regards

1248
Hi baccardisprite,
Here's my profile:

I completed my under-graduation in Mechanical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology with a CGPA of
8.05.I have been working in TCS since August 2010. I got a GMAt score of 720( Q49 V40).

I applied to Masters in Management( Rotterdam, HEC, ESCP) and some MBA programmes( Schulich, NUS, Sauder).

I did not even receive an interview call from any of the MBA programmes.I did apply in the last deadline though.

I have an admit from RSM for Msc General Management programme And have my interview for HEC early nest month. I also have an admit from IMI-Delhi.IMI is my safe option.

I am in a dilemma now. I want to go abroad and gain international experience but the kind of situation the continent is in right now is really scary. On top of it will the masters be really worth it ? Will it have any value if I have to come back and look for a job in India. I would like to get into technology consulting post my graduation. I have almost 2 years of work ex right now. Is it over qualified for a Msc?

I can't wait in IT anymore and have in fact already put in my papers. I would like your opinion on the choice between a not-so-great in Indian college(IMI) but which is safe, and two reputed EU schools where jobs might not be forthcoming after spending a ton of money.

How do you see the market shaping up right now in the Netherlands and France? How important is the local language going to be when it comes to job hunting? And how much will I be at a disadvantage(if any), when as a non-EU citizen when I am looking for a job after graduation specifically in the Netherlands.

Finally, how valuable will the Msc degrees from HEC and RSM be outside their countries and in India?

Regards


International Experience is NOT a career goal. Come back with some idea of what you want to do.

As for MBAs / Masters in the west, with the limited experience that you have, please refer to the post right before yours, written to a young lady who has an admit to ESADE's MBA.... Her degree may be slightly different to the MSc in Management or whatever, but her circumstaces and questions were no different! If you're not bringing experience or skills gained over a period, that companies in Europe (everywhere for that matter) value most, you have a hard search in front of you.

All of what I wrote to her applies to you.

All the best
Baccardisprite
1249

Hi Baccardisprite
A very useful thread. kudos to you.
I am a production engineer graduated in 2011,currently working with a machine manufacturing co. as machine design engineer since July'11. This is my training year which ends in June'12.
After this I want to continue with the role of design engineer and opt for higher studies in 2013.I want to settle in India.
I want to do my MBA in Operations and supply chain management. So I have following queries:
1)Are MBA in operations courses provided in India at par with the courses provided abroad? or is there a significant value addition abroad?
2)As I wanna get into operations management, is my move of sticking with design role right?
3)Are the courses for supply chain management highlighted by you different from mba in operation?
Among Indian courses, I think NITIE, SP JAIN, IIT B are leaders when it comes to MBA in operations.

1250
Hi Baccardi,

Following is my profile:

Work exp - TCS - supply chain domain - client i2 technlogies - 3.5 years - QA
JDA (formally i2 technologies) - 6 months (current employer) - QA

...

if possible can you recommend any additional courses which are good and I did not search it on the net ? :)

Thanks,
Sriananth H

Hi Baccardi,

I am posting here after 5 months ! ! ! Got admit from 2 universities. Please let me know the pros and cons and also your esteemed advice :)

International University of japan, MBA... Got Scholarship - full tution fee wavied off !
HHL Leipzig Germany, MBA - No scholarship :(

Thanks,
Sriananth H
1251
Hi Baccardi, I am posting here after 5 months ! ! ! Got admit from 2 universities. Please let me know the pros and cons and also your esteemed advice :)

International University of japan, MBA... Got Scholarship - full tution fee wavied off ! HHL Leipzig Germany, MBA - No scholarship :(

Thanks,
Sriananth H


Again, neither school is particularly well-known, though IUJ is a well known school in Japan. Mate - between 2 equally rated schools as these 2, I'd take the money.

Equally rated - nationally / regionally strong.

What's truly important is other things - do you know what you're likely to do after the MBA? and does the school you go to provide or at least facilitate the opportunity to access the closest job market? Will you (in 2 years) be able to learn Japanese to at least business fluency levels? Do IUJ/HHL have alumni working for the kind of companies / industries you want to enter after the MBA? What elements of your career (function, industry, geography) do you intend changing?

Hopefully you're thinking about these things. In the absence of any other detail, take the money and go to IUJ.

All the best
Baccardisprite
1252

Hi baccardisprite,

I am Kumar Gaurav, and my profile is as follows:

Work Ex:4 Years(2 Years in IT Sector-Worked in Accenture;2 Years in Consulting in Manufacturing-Power Sector)

MBA-2.61/4
Eng:72%
12th-65%
10th-80%


I am looking for either doing a 2nd MBA or Ph.D from outside India.Kindly guide me the suitable course of action for me as I am inclined towards consultancy sector in general.How to prepare for it and which colleges or universities I should target.

Thanks in advance

1253

Hi baccardisprite,

Can you please shed some light on the kind of profiles/roles and salary people get in various organizations after doing Masters in public policy(MPP).

Few people have warned me that MPP degree is not taken very seriously as compared to MBA and many people go on to do MBA after MPP.
Where as MBA comes with a tag "dude m an MBA,take me seriously".Is it true ?
I have 5 years Exp in IT industry and wish to do MPP from top notch BSchool and get into UN and other such bodies.

Please advice ,m worried about my career choice.

Thanks in advance

1254
Hi baccardisprite,

I am Kumar Gaurav, and my profile is as follows: Work Ex:4 Years(2 Years in IT Sector-Worked in Accenture;2 Years in Consulting in Manufacturing-Power Sector)

MBA-2.61/4
Eng:72%
12th-65%
10th-80%

I am looking for either doing a 2nd MBA or Ph.D from outside India.Kindly guide me the suitable course of action for me as I am inclined towards consultancy sector in general.How to prepare for it and which colleges or universities I should target. Thanks in advance


For guidance around Ph.D - please read 2 posts on this thread:

- http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/33375-international-educational-options-beyond-mba-109.html#post2982440

- http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/international-indian-mba-schools-accepting/33375-international-educational-options-beyond-mba-69.html#post2384664

For consulting - Your current experience in Manufacturing & Power Sector should certainly position you well with good transferable & applicable skills towards Strategy Consulting (which I assume is what you want to do). Try and gain some direct client interactive, engagement management experience in the next 1-2 years with your current employer, and learn a foreign language that will add to your current skills. In Manufacturing & Power, you might want to look at German, Chinese or Japanese.

Prepare well for and attempt the GMAT - and try scoring 720+; which is important both for the competitiveness of your application, and to allay any concerns about your academic ability.

If Consulting is where you want to go - US Top 10-15, LBS, INSEAD, IESE, ISB, IIM-B's EPGP or IIMC's PGPEX; could be a list of schools you can start looking at.

All the best
Baccardisprite
1255
Hi baccardisprite, Can you please shed some light on the kind of profiles/roles and salary people get in various organizations after doing Masters in public policy(MPP).

Few people have warned me that MPP degree is not taken very seriously as compared to MBA and many people go on to do MBA after MPP.
Where as MBA comes with a tag "dude m an MBA,take me seriously".Is it true? I have 5 years Exp in IT industry and wish to do MPP from top notch BSchool and get into UN and other such bodies. Please advice ,m worried about my career choice.

Thanks in advance


The MPA/MPP enables a slightly narrower career choice than does an MBA. Most MPP/MPA graduates normally go into Quasi-Governmental institutions like the UN, World Bank, IMF; or back to Government, Strategic/Economic think-tanks.... Getting into the jobs a classic MBA would enable (consulting, banking, functional / strategy roles in industry) is rarer.

MPA/MPP candidates also come with (on average) slightly less experience than those from MBAs. Given the nature of jobs predominantly taken, we're looking at average salaries lower than those of MBA programs (by about 10-40% depending on pre-program experience).

Many MPP/MPA graduates, particularly if they're studying in a top notch university for such programs (Tufts, JHU, Syracuse, Columbia etc.) try and complement their MPP/MPA with either dedicated MBA courses or even an MBA degree. Example - JHU's MPP/MPA candidates have the opportunity to get an MBA from Wharton, Tuft University's MALD students could get an MBA from either the Tuck School or HEC (France), Columbia's SEPA Masters could get the Columbia MBA. Obviously - the dual degree option takes longer, and is a lot more expensive.

Note that getting into MPA/MPP programs is pretty competitive, and for the really big name MPP programs - selectivity is lower than even many top MBA programs. Further - you'll need to bring fairly good skills in economics (courses in intermediate macro/micro-econ) or commit to taking those as part of the preparation for an MPA/MPP.

You need to decide your career first - then think about the education that will enable it.

All the best
Baccardisprite
1256
The MPA/MPP enables a slightly narrower career choice than does an MBA. Most MPP/MPA graduates normally go into Quasi-Governmental institutions like the UN, World Bank, IMF; or back to Government, Strategic/Economic think-tanks.... Getting into the jobs a classic MBA would enable (consulting, banking, functional / strategy roles in industry) is rarer.

MPA/MPP candidates also come with (on average) slightly less experience than those from MBAs. Given the nature of jobs predominantly taken, we're looking at average salaries lower than those of MBA programs (by about 10-40% depending on pre-program experience).

Many MPP/MPA graduates, particularly if they're studying in a top notch university for such programs (Tufts, JHU, Syracuse, Columbia etc.) try and complement their MPP/MPA with either dedicated MBA courses or even an MBA degree. Example - JHU's MPP/MPA candidates have the opportunity to get an MBA from Wharton, Tuft University's MALD students could get an MBA from either the Tuck School or HEC (France), Columbia's SEPA Masters could get the Columbia MBA. Obviously - the dual degree option takes longer, and is a lot more expensive.

Note that getting into MPA/MPP programs is pretty competitive, and for the really big name MPP programs - selectivity is lower than even many top MBA programs. Further - you'll need to bring fairly good skills in economics (courses in intermediate macro/micro-econ) or commit to taking those as part of the preparation for an MPA/MPP.

You need to decide your career first - then think about the education that will enable it.

All the best
Baccardisprite



Hi baccardisprite,

At the outset thanks for your response.
I am not interested in consulting, banking, functional / strategy roles in industry or any corporate jobs.So MPP seems to be an ideal option for me.
I am looking to join UN and its subsidiary bodies, So was interested to know what kind of profile/role I can get there.
Can you please connect me to somebody in your circle who has some idea about this ?
Also please advice if its wise to do MPP(or MBA as last choice) from Canada or Ausrtalia as I have heard getting longer work permit and Job(after education) is easier there as compared to US,Europe.
1257
Hi baccardisprite, At the outset thanks for your response.I am not interested in consulting, banking, functional / strategy roles in industry or any corporate jobs.So MPP seems to be an ideal option for me. I am looking to join UN and its subsidiary bodies, So was interested to know what kind of profile/role I can get there.
Can you please connect me to somebody in your circle who has some idea about this? Also please advice if its wise to do MPP(or MBA as last choice) from Canada or Ausrtalia as I have heard getting longer work permit and Job(after education) is easier there as compared to US,Europe.


Right now, your argument for an MPP/MPA is based first on what you're NOT interested in, then an interest to work in the UN, that sounds a bit vague. I'm not trying to be difficult here, but want you to think!

Most common entry route is the experienced graduates program or in UN/WB parlance - the Young Professional Program (YPP). None of my class-mates from the MBA joined the UN/WB or similar institutions, so I don't have anyone I can immediately reach out to.

What would help this discussion is if you can now conduct some research around these careers (assure you, research will be a big part of an MPP/MPA); come back with at least an idea of what type of roles you want to target - then look at the schools that might help you get there.

How about writing to one of the schools you are strongly interested in, and ask them to put you in touch with some Indian Alumni?

Be careful making assumptions around the ease of work-permits. The policy type roles in question are competitive because local policy roles in Canada & Australia are normally given to citizens first, foreigners later. It has nothing to do with the overall policies around work-permits.

All the best
Baccardisprite
1258

Thanks baccardisprite for your quick response.Will doing MBA 2nd time will be a good potion or should I plan for a Ph.D?

1259
hikumargaurav Says
Thanks baccardisprite for your quick response.Will doing MBA 2nd time will be a good potion or should I plan for a Ph.D?


Going by your previous post around a "consultancy-in-general" career - a top notch MBA.

If you have proven skills in research and analytics, an area that you want to conduct targeted / emperical research on, and are inclined to a long term career in research & academia, I would recommend the Ph.D.

Decide what you want out of your career, then decide whether it's an MBA or a Ph.D.

All the best
Baccardisprite
1260
Right now, your argument for an MPP/MPA is based first on what you're NOT interested in, then an interest to work in the UN, that sounds a bit vague. I'm not trying to be difficult here, but want you to think!

Most common entry route is the experienced graduates program or in UN/WB parlance - the Young Professional Program (YPP). None of my class-mates from the MBA joined the UN/WB or similar institutions, so I don't have anyone I can immediately reach out to.

What would help this discussion is if you can now conduct some research around these careers (assure you, research will be a big part of an MPP/MPA); come back with at least an idea of what type of roles you want to target - then look at the schools that might help you get there.

How about writing to one of the schools you are strongly interested in, and ask them to put you in touch with some Indian Alumni?

Be careful making assumptions around the ease of work-permits. The policy type roles in question are competitive because local policy roles in Canada & Australia are normally given to citizens first, foreigners later. It has nothing to do with the overall policies around work-permits.

All the best
Baccardisprite


Thanks baccardisprite, for your responses regarding MPP.
Getting in touch with an India alumni seems to be the good option to get better picture.
You were right to pick that I sounded vague in my previous post, and thats because these days I am doing research on choosing a suitable career option,haven't zeroed on one yet.

Further, can you please enlighten me about the General Management roles/profile and salaries offered to MBA candidates( having 5 yr work exp IT techie). I have already read about TAS and leadership development programs of many other Indian conglomerates. But couldn't find anything about the kind of work that they get to do and career progression (vis a vis a pure marketing/sales guy in the same company).
Apart from India and US is it possible to get into General Management roles of MNCs from B-Schools of Australia/Canada (I want to work for 2-3 years out of India before returning back).
I am assuming that its easy to get work permit in Aus/Canada after MBA ,is it true ?
1261
sohailmbaprep Says
Further, can you please enlighten me about the General Management roles/profile and salaries offered to MBA candidates( having 5 yr work exp IT techie). I have already read about TAS and leadership development programs of many other Indian conglomerates. But couldn't find anything about the kind of work that they get to do and career progression (vis a vis a pure marketing/sales guy in the same company). Apart from India and US is it possible to get into General Management roles of MNCs from B-Schools of Australia/Canada (I want to work for 2-3 years out of India before returning back). I am assuming that its easy to get work permit in Aus/Canada after MBA ,is it true ?


Leadership/Management Development Programs (L/MDP) are generally 2-3 year programs to develop managerial talent for the function or in general. The programs are rotation so between 2-4 assignments in the 2-3 year period, where one has to deliver real impact / results, coupled with corporate training in functional skills relevant to that company / industry and leadership etc....The largest companies (eg GE) have functional LDPs like Edison Engineering, Commercial Leadership (Sales & Marketing), Finance programs, where rotations are largely within the function..... Others just go for more rounded generalist L/MDPs - where new hires (college or MBAs) are put into 2-3 functional roles (hopefully connected with their career interest) over a 2-3 year period, then sent after "graduating" the program, into a business unit function....

But please don't be under any misguided belief that a rotational L/MDP is a ticket to the big leagues. You will still have to achieve mastery / expertise across at least 2 functions over a 10-12 year period before you reach either position of senior functional or staff leadership. The L/MDPs offer a way in, and a professionally stable environment for the company & yourself to build the competence for leadership roles later in one's career.

A functional L/MDP like Operations LDP, with entry after 3-5 years of experience + an MBA - 2-3 year LDP, roles could start with Customer Service / Distribution, then into Demand / Supply Planning, then into manufacturing, and finishing with Strategic Procurement, Network Design, Optimization projects etc....

A Commercial L/MDP would be Sales, then Market Research/Analysis, Planning & budgeting, followed by a Strategic Planning Assignment

A finance L/MDP could start with a project, then controlling, followed by a stint with business corporate dev, then with treasury.

A generalist program would straddle multiple functions, but anyone entering wouldn't have much time to make an impact.

Entry into these program is normally work-permit/authorization restricted; but you also want to look at the companies which offer rotational programs in various countries where they have a strong business presence. Else, it's better to target these programs in the company's home market. In the US, it's understood to be quite difficult as citizens & GC's get first preference, while H1Bs are not sponsored unless the roles are specialist in nature. L/MDPs wouldn't be considered specialist in nature. Still, there have been exceptions. One way International MBAs could get into these L/MDPs (US companies being a reference) is to go in during an OPT period, then perform and merit an H1B sponsorship or transfer to another country. IF the US expands the OPT period to 2 years post the Masters program, US companies will find it less risky to hire more global talent. IF that happens, one advantage being hired as an international is greater global mobility than US citizens working for the same company. The US taxes their citizens on their global income, which makes it extremely expensive to have a globally mobile US workforce. Unless the US changes this policy (unlikely in the current environment) this will bring advantages for Internationals in the near future as companies seek to globalize in a cost effective manner.

I don't know about Australia (please read Department of Immigration & Citizenship) and access the relevant parts for information. Canada appears to have relaxed its work permit rules for Internationals graduating from Canadian Universities. Meaning all such graduates from a list of genuine Canadian Universities studying degree programs, are eligible for an authorization to work in Canada for 2 years. That means you can at least look for a job without the sword of a work-permit hanging over your career. Yes, it should then be possible to apply to a rotational program in a Canadian company (e.g Bombardier or even GE's Canadian businesses).

Hope that helps you.

All the best
Baccardisprite