Hey baccardisprite!
It's very nice to see your insightful replies to all the queries.
I have a very different profile compared to most of the people out here. I am a law graduate(B.A.,LL.B.) from one of the national law institutes. I don't have any aversion to working in the field of law but my interest lies in the area of sustainability(as a result of several courses on environmental law in college).
I came across various consultancies that either have an area devoted for sustainable management plans or are specifically dealing with sustainability.
I am very much interested in being part of such kind of work. With just a law degree in hand I don't see a lot of scope for me in this field and that made me start thinking of getting an additional degree in management.
I am planning to go for the masters in management program offered by ESSEC, France. The program is of two years with compulsory internships which I suppose will give me a strong foothold to start off my career. Another plus point with the business school is that they have a campus in singapore focussing on asian markets. HEC, Paris also has a masters in sustainability development but it is of one year and I feel that a wider program will be more helpful for me.
Can you please provide me some kind of guidance? Is my shift from the field of law to that of a management consultancy realistically possible?
Hey baccardisprite!
It's very nice to see your insightful replies to all the queries.
I have a very different profile compared to most of the people out here. I am a law graduate(B.A.,LL.B.) from one of the national law institutes. I don't have any aversion to working in the field of law but my interest lies in the area of sustainability(as a result of several courses on environmental law in college). I came across various consultancies that either have an area devoted for sustainable management plans or are specifically dealing with sustainability. I am very much interested in being part of such kind of work. With just a law degree in hand I don't see a lot of scope for me in this field and that made me start thinking of getting an additional degree in management. I am planning to go for the masters in management program offered by ESSEC, France. The program is of two years with compulsory internships which I suppose will give me a strong foothold to start off my career. Another plus point with the business school is that they have a campus in singapore focussing on asian markets. HEC, Paris also has a masters in sustainability development but it is of one year and I feel that a wider program will be more helpful for me. Can you please provide me some kind of guidance? Is my shift from the field of law to that of a management consultancy realistically possible?
The field is new, so it tends to be insular and highly networked. But it is indeed good to see your passion to get into the field. But I 100% disagree with your statement around not having scope in the field with a law degree, so many infrastructure projects, PPPs, CSR initiatives for companies that involve real investment, therefore real challenges around how those investments deliver value to people and planet, therefore all the legal & policy hassles around environmental management. Think protests around nuclear plants, infrastructure projects perceived to destroy forests and cash/food-crop cultivation expropriating forest / agricultural land... Young man/lady, you have huge scope.....
The challenge is to GET THERE... and you need to work your way through and up to the roles / assignments in these areas. So what skills / experience and competencies would you need to acquire, then apply & transfer to the field? Through experience, I can tell you that MOST people in the field of environmental & social suatainability came to this field after some/several years in other functional areas (corporate, consulting, NGO, etc) where they worked on sustainability projects within their company or for clients. Therefore, they developed skills over some years, perhaps strengthened their marketability with further education (management), then went into this field.
One scenario - can you get into a multinational / industrial corporate's internal legal team? Can you work with a law firm that has a strong practice & record advising projects, corporates or clients in the field of environmental law, policy and sustainability? Spend 4-5 years learning to apply law, learning about business (believe me - legal is one of the best places to learn business), then take your skills to the field you're passionate about? You can be sure that IF you achieve progress, competence and immediately applicable skill - employers will simply lap you up. Spend soem time learning an international language (spanish, chinese) and your profile is gold.
You can go to ESSEC, but I feel you risk throwing away a precious 5 year education that has provided you will skills that are currently in very high demand, therefore throwing away the opportunity to learn.
Think a little more, ask yourself the right questions, and post again. Promise to give you valuable advice.
All the best
Baccardisprite
The field is new, so it tends to be insular and highly networked. But it is indeed good to see your passion to get into the field. But I 100% disagree with your statement around not having scope in the field with a law degree, so many infrastructure projects, PPPs, CSR initiatives for companies that involve real investment, therefore real challenges around how those investments deliver value to people and planet, therefore all the legal & policy hassles around environmental management. Think protests around nuclear plants, infrastructure projects perceived to destroy forests and cash/food-crop cultivation expropriating forest / agricultural land... Young man/lady, you have huge scope.....
The challenge is to GET THERE... and you need to work your way through and up to the roles / assignments in these areas. So what skills / experience and competencies would you need to acquire, then apply & transfer to the field? Through experience, I can tell you that MOST people in the field of environmental & social suatainability came to this field after some/several years in other functional areas (corporate, consulting, NGO, etc) where they worked on sustainability projects within their company or for clients. Therefore, they developed skills over some years, perhaps strengthened their marketability with further education (management), then went into this field.
One scenario - can you get into a multinational / industrial corporate's internal legal team? Can you work with a law firm that has a strong practice & record advising projects, corporates or clients in the field of environmental law, policy and sustainability? Spend 4-5 years learning to apply law, learning about business (believe me - legal is one of the best places to learn business), then take your skills to the field you're passionate about? You can be sure that IF you achieve progress, competence and immediately applicable skill - employers will simply lap you up. Spend soem time learning an international language (spanish, chinese) and your profile is gold.
You can go to ESSEC, but I feel you risk throwing away a precious 5 year education that has provided you will skills that are currently in very high demand, therefore throwing away the opportunity to learn.
Think a little more, ask yourself the right questions, and post again. Promise to give you valuable advice.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Thanks so much for the advice, it indeed is valuable.
The reason that I am inclined towards ESSEC is that they have an optional course in business laws so I wont completely be out of touch from the skills I learnt at law school. At the same time they have close associations with consultancies such as bcg and others that have a dedicated practice area in sustainability. It may also give me better opportunity to be part of organizations such as Environmental Defence fund (they have a climate corps program in which they send b-school students to build business cases for energy efficiency). I may not get such opportunities even after working for 5-6 years.
I dont have any qualms about working my way through. But, the only thing that bothers me is that it will take too long for me to finally set off on the desired path. The corporations and firms I got in touch with during my college years and internships seemed to be least concerned with sustainability.
Thanks again....and it's 'young lady' 😃
i hope this is d ryt place for y query..i want to knoe about the scope of psychology abroad mainly usa..wat sort of programs are available and wat is the ROI.i have tried to get this info for a long tym but couldnt get it..plz help me to decide whether its gud for a psychology graduate/p.g to pursue a course abroad..
thanx in advance
Hi Bacardisprite ,
I am in big dilemma , I need some guidance. I am a chemical engineer with almost 4 years of experience in Petro- chemical Industry . I have very few options this year for MBA like Adani institute of infrastructure management
, Skolkovo , Aberdeen(oil and gas mgmt) ,I never took GMAT though . My prime concern is fees in these courses and ROI after completion . Currently my salary is 8 lacs , I have already taken deferral from adani last year so my 1 lac will be fortified if i withdraw my admission. Regarding Skolkovo they havnt provided any promising figures or facts regarding placement and situation at Aberdeen is also grim as per my friend who is studying there.Actually I have no options left 
.
I am thinking for preparing GMAT this year , but also cant c losing 1 lac 
Thanks so much for the advice, it indeed is valuable.
The reason that I am inclined towards ESSEC is that they have an optional course in business laws so I wont completely be out of touch from the skills I learnt at law school. At the same time they have close associations with consultancies such as bcg and others that have a dedicated practice area in sustainability. It may also give me better opportunity to be part of organizations such as Environmental Defence fund (they have a climate corps program in which they send b-school students to build business cases for energy efficiency). I may not get such opportunities even after working for 5-6 years. I dont have any qualms about working my way through. But, the only thing that bothers me is that it will take too long for me to finally set off on the desired path. The corporations and firms I got in touch with during my college years and internships seemed to be least concerned with sustainability. Thanks again....and it's 'young lady' :)
Clearly, you have conducted more research than many others in similar situations. Well done. Schools like ESSEC serve predominantly the French market, and to a smaller extent Western Europe. With the EU currently facing the prospect of economic upheaval with the prospect of a Greek exit of the common currency and the union, the risk of a debilitating recession is rather strong. You're exposing yourself to this risk, that you cannot in anyway control. You should also know that unlike the Global business schools in Europe like INSEAD, LBS, IMD, IESE etc.. the career services offices in these French schools are unlikely to be as well developed. Well developed - adequate resources & credibility to bring companies to present & interview (at least first round) on campus, and train you adequately to conduct a strong off-campus search, network with alumni etc.... About 40-50% of jobs that MBAs/Masters Graduates find out of EU business schools is through targeted off-campus searches.
In order to stay reasonably attractive to your immediate job market (France /Western EU), please ensure:
1. Learn French, and during the program / internship or whatever other avenues you can find, ensure to develop your French skills to intermediate fluency (ability to read, write, and conduct a business negotiation in French).
2. IF there's a consulting club, join it and practice interviewing for consulting firms starting as early as you can.
3. Ensure you're familiar with the landscape of French HQ'd Multinationals in various industries. ESSEC should have a strong network of French and International Alumni in the top French Multinationals - BNP, Credit Agri, Soc Gen, Areva, Alstom, Total, France-Tel / Orange, LVMH, PPR, LOreal, Thomsun, Schneider Electric, Lafarge, Pernod Ricard, CapGemeni/Sogeti, Carrefour, Dassault, Altran + the Paris / Western EU offices of the big consulting firms.....
In short - start your career planning very early. It's going to be heavy, what with your academic and internship workload, but it's the ONLY way to prepare yourself for what's likely to be a challenging job search in a challenging economic environment for years to come.
All the best
Baccardisprite
i hope this is d ryt place for y query..i want to knoe about the scope of psychology abroad mainly usa..wat sort of programs are available and wat is the ROI.i have tried to get this info for a long tym but couldnt get it..plz help me to decide whether its gud for a psychology graduate/p.g to pursue a course abroad..
thanx in advance
Not much knowledge on this forum for what you seek. Immediately though, you can check the US News & World Report (online or hard copy) for America's Best Graduate Schools; where you can filter by subject area.
Apologies if this not very helpful.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Hi Bacardisprite, I am in big dilemma , I need some guidance. I am a chemical engineer with almost 4 years of experience in Petro- chemical Industry . I have very few options this year for MBA like Adani institute of infrastructure management
, Skolkovo , Aberdeen(oil and gas mgmt) ,I never took GMAT though . My prime concern is fees in these courses and ROI after completion . Currently my salary is 8 lacs , I have already taken deferral from adani last year so my 1 lac will be fortified if i withdraw my admission. Regarding Skolkovo they havnt provided any promising figures or facts regarding placement and situation at Aberdeen is also grim as per my friend who is studying there.Actually I have no options left. I am thinking for preparing GMAT this year , but also cant c losing 1 lac :banghead:
1 Lac is a small sunk cost over a career going 40 years! Stop worrying about this. It would help us to know what you have done in your job (and what company you're working for). IF it's a core/line function (like Marketing, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain Management, Finance etc...), then I am sure you can aim a lot higher in your choice of schools than those you have described. You may have more options than you can imagine. However, you'll need to think career first, the right education next.
Think and post again....
All the best
Baccardisprite
Thanx for ur reply . I am Process Engineer working in Reliance Industries (petro-chemical division)as Shift In-charge . So I am basically in manufacturing sector , and my job role is to manage my shift which includes production & man-power handling ,planing , trouble-shooting , reliability, etc.
Thanx for ur reply . I am Process engineer (chemical) and working as a shift in-charge in reliance industries ltd( petro-chemicals) . As u know it is a manufacturing sector, here my job role is to handle my plant production and man-power , improve reliability of process with help of service and maintenance departments(TQM,TPM), issuing different types of work permits for job execution with all safety and procedure compliance (Process Safety management -Dupont). Maintain and update plant data and records as per Integrated management System which includes ISO , OHSAS , etc. etc
I was also part of some small projects , audits ,trainings like six sigma (green belt ) , small group activity n all .
piyushonly SaysThanx for ur reply . I am Process engineer (chemical) and working as a shift in-charge in reliance industries ltd( petro-chemicals) . As u know it is a manufacturing sector, here my job role is to handle my plant production and man-power , improve reliability of process with help of service and maintenance departments(TQM,TPM), issuing different types of work permits for job execution with all safety and procedure compliance (Process Safety management -Dupont). Maintain and update plant data and records as per Integrated management System which includes ISO , OHSAS , etc. etc. I was also part of some small projects , audits ,trainings like six sigma (green belt ) , small group activity n all .
That's actually a pretty good profile, and will offer you the nuts & bolts skills to develop a career in wider SCM/Operations roles like planning, procurement and supply network strategy - in both energy and core engineering / manufacturing industries.
I would suggest prepare for (including taking coaching classes) and give the GMAT, try and score 720+, and aim for one the top schools in operations / energy.
All the best
Baccardisprite
@ baccardisprite Thank you for your advice , I have actually started preparing myself.
thanks once again
Dear Bacardispirit,
I really appreciate the efforts that you put in to reply to the questions posted in here. I thank you for all the help and more importantly for taking time out for this forum.
Sir, I am an electronics engineer, 2010 pass out and working at one of the major Steel firms in India, at a plant which is largest integrated steel plant in India. I am working here in projects and am involved in automation part of it. I am also involved in activities like man power management and inventory control from a techno commercial aspect. I have a good set of extra cirriculars, both at college and work (I am a very active Rotarian, might become Secretary of club too 
) .Have won various laurels at college and was given certificate for outstanding contribution to college.:)
I am a MBA aspirant and as I understand, If one wants to do MBA from a good school abroad, we should have around 4-5 years of work experience, which I feel is justified too. I wish to enter in to finance domain, but not in to investment banking or something. I like corporate finance.
Sir, I have already completed 1.7 years at work and am currently 22. I was willing to enhance my professional qualification before I hit my MBA. I was willing to enroll for ICWA (COST accountancy). But my confusion
now is should I first aim and start my GMAT preparations or is it too early? Will the ICWA be an added advantage? If so, is it common for engineers to do ICWA? Is it valued? What kind of profiles do engineers with ICWA get in to.
Masters of Business Law(MBL from NLS, Bangalore- Correspondence) is another option for me.
Please guide sir.
I am an electronics engineer, 2010 pass out and working at one of the major Steel firms in India, at a plant which is largest integrated steel plant in India. I am working here in projects and am involved in automation part of it. I am also involved in activities like man power management and inventory control from a techno commercial aspect. I have a good set of extra cirriculars, both at college and work (I am a very active Rotarian, might become Secretary of club too) .Have won various laurels at college and was given certificate for outstanding contribution to college.:)
I am a MBA aspirant and as I understand, If one wants to do MBA from a good school abroad, we should have around 4-5 years of work experience, which I feel is justified too. I wish to enter in to finance domain, but not in to investment banking or something. I like corporate finance.
Sir, I have already completed 1.7 years at work and am currently 22. I was willing to enhance my professional qualification before I hit my MBA. I was willing to enroll for ICWA (COST accountancy). But my confusion now is should I first aim and start my GMAT preparations or is it too early? Will the ICWA be an added advantage? If so, is it common for engineers to do ICWA? Is it valued? What kind of profiles do engineers with ICWA get in to.
Masters of Business Law(MBL from NLS, Bangalore- Correspondence) is another option for me. Please guide sir.
The makings of a strong profile in a core industrial / manufacturing sector.
1. Develop this profile by working for at least 3 years longer. The areas you're working on as an Engineer in this company are actually pretty good, and an excellent grounding. Don't forsake it for an MBA just yet.
2. ICWA + your 4-5 years will be a great combination for Operations Finance & Controllership roles in core industry! So if you have the drive to finish the ICWA in the next 2-3 years go for it.
3. You could learn one international language - try German or Japanese (best for core manufacturing).
4. Apply to MBA programs in the fall of 2014 for a 2015 entry! I would highly recommend a program like the MIT-Sloan LGO program, or Michigan Ross or Cornell or Kellogg's MMM program. Prepare for the GMAT, appear for it in 2013 and try scoring in the 720-740 range, which will help you.
All the best
Baccardisprite
The makings of a strong profile in a core industrial / manufacturing sector.
1. Develop this profile by working for at least 3 years longer. The areas you're working on as an Engineer in this company are actually pretty good, and an excellent grounding. Don't forsake it for an MBA just yet.
2. ICWA + your 4-5 years will be a great combination for Operations Finance & Controllership roles in core industry! So if you have the drive to finish the ICWA in the next 2-3 years go for it.
3. You could learn one international language - try German or Japanese (best for core manufacturing).
4. Apply to MBA programs in the fall of 2014 for a 2015 entry! I would highly recommend a program like the MIT-Sloan LGO program, or Michigan Ross or Cornell or Kellogg's MMM program. Prepare for the GMAT, appear for it in 2013 and try scoring in the 720-740 range, which will help you.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Dear Sir,
Thank you for the reply.
I am 22 now. Considering I finish my ICWA in 3 years or so, would it be too late to start then. I know I am being a bit hazy here, but is it a good option in your view? Or should I consider the MBL from NLS, Bangalore along with my GMAT prep.
Thanks again for your time.
All of us here really benefit a lot from it.
Dear Sir, Thank you for the reply.
I am 22 now. Considering I finish my ICWA in 3 years or so, would it be too late to start then. I know I am being a bit hazy here, but is it a good option in your view? Or should I consider the MBL from NLS, Bangalore along with my GMAT prep. Thanks again for your time. All of us here really benefit a lot from it.
No, not too late. In fact you'd be about 25-26 when you apply / enter your future MBA, and 27-28 when you graduate! After which you have a 30-35 year career ahead of you. Don't make your life some sort of deadline! Not a productive way of thinking. Use the time to learn, acquire skills, competence, a record of success and leadership.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Is it common for Engineers to do ICWA? Pagal guy has just one thread abt ICWA and I didnt find much of info on it. What kind of roles can one expect post this profile?
thnx again
steelmaker SaysIs it common for Engineers to do ICWA? Pagal guy has just one thread abt ICWA and I didnt find much of info on it. What kind of roles can one expect post this profile? thnx again
Once you complete 5-6 years on your current job, then do an MBA/Masters, your assignments could look like below.
Project Management (across most industries)
Product Lifecycle Management (FMCG, Light/medium engg or automotive)
Supply Chain Operations Finance (across all industries)
Business Development (Contracts, Manufacturing, Networks & distribution)
Business / Franchise / Operations Controllership
Financial Planning & Analysis
When you're more experienced (say total 7-10 years in 3-4 the above roles) - you can get into Corporate Development (M&A;), Treasury, Asset Management (fixed assets or financial) or Finance Director roles.
The profile isn't common in India, which is why you can differentiate yourself by being an operations and finance professional.
Once you complete the ICWA, you can also pursue the CIMA (the UK + globally recognized financial qualification). With your ICWA, you should be able to get exemptions to more than 50% of the overall CIMA course.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Once you complete 5-6 years on your current job, then do an MBA/Masters, your assignments could look like below.
Project Management (across most industries)
Product Lifecycle Management (FMCG, Light/medium engg or automotive)
Supply Chain Operations Finance (across all industries)
Business Development (Contracts, Manufacturing, Networks & distribution)
Business / Franchise / Operations Controllership
Financial Planning & Analysis
When you're more experienced (say total 7-10 years in 3-4 the above roles) - you can get into Corporate Development (M&A;), Treasury, Asset Management (fixed assets or financial) or Finance Director roles.
The profile isn't common in India, which is why you can differentiate yourself by being an operations and finance professional.
Once you complete the ICWA, you can also pursue the CIMA (the UK + globally recognized financial qualification). With your ICWA, you should be able to get exemptions to more than 50% of the overall CIMA course.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Thanks a lot Sir,
I shall think for a while and update on the forum soon.
Thanks again
I just checked out..... I have missed the deadline for ICWA admissions. I was under impression that we have a provision for late admission too, but they have removed it from this year... damn it :-(
NOw I cant appear for december exams. Can apear in June only
don know what to do...
:-(