Hi Baccardisprite,
Im looking for a SWOT analysis here.My brief profile is as follows:
Undergrad GPA: 60.1%
GMAT: HEll bent on getting a 700+ score
Work exp: 3 yrs and 2 months with a Fortune 500 IT company
Age:27
Dream Schools: INSEAD, UCLA, Darden, Fuqua,
Extra curriculars: School captain, Green Brigade Leader at work, Regular volunteer with CRY foundation
Looking to apply in 3-4 years form now with more years of international experience and a leadership role eg:Project lead. My concerns,
1. Wil I be too old at age 30-31
2.Undergrad GPA is very less though it improved to 65% at the last 3 semesters.I had a valid reason for this as I had to support my family by doing odd jobs along with my studies due to sudden financial problems but I did come to terms with it and my grades did improve gradually.
Please suggest if the above scchools are out of my range or any tips to further enhance and differentiate my profile.
Hi Baccardisprite, Im looking for a SWOT analysis here.My brief profile is as follows:
Undergrad GPA: 60.1%
GMAT: HEll bent on getting a 700+ score
Work exp: 3 yrs and 2 months with a Fortune 500 IT company
Age:27
Dream Schools: INSEAD, UCLA, Darden, Fuqua,
Extra curriculars: School captain, Green Brigade Leader at work, Regular volunteer with CRY foundation
Looking to apply in 3-4 years form now with more years of international experience and a leadership role eg:Project lead. My concerns,
1. Wil I be too old at age 30-31
2.Undergrad GPA is very less though it improved to 65% at the last 3 semesters.I had a valid reason for this as I had to support my family by doing odd jobs along with my studies due to sudden financial problems but I did come to terms with it and my grades did improve gradually.
Please suggest if the above scchools are out of my range or any tips to further enhance and differentiate my profile.
1. No, you will not be too old if you're able to rationalize your career and why you need an MBA at that stage of your life.
2. Actually saw your previous post (email alert), where you mentioned back-logs. That's obviously not good. Only a strong GMAT 720+ and several years of experience with strong career progress would help to take the focus away from your GMAT.
3. Nothing inherently wrong with your career goals, which I saw was to accelerate a front end commercial / consulting career in the IT/technology space, which makes a lot of sense given your profile thus far,
I would recommend you learn a language (German, Chinese); something that would help differentiate you and convince an employer to put you in client facing / interactive roles.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Hooray, my first post on new PG!
Just wanted to share some specific insights into US education. Some of you might be aware that the US Government, through its Department of Homeland Security / Immigration (DHS), has extended the Optional Practical Training (OPT) Period for graduates of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by 17 months. IF you're currently planning or studying for a STEM degree in the US, you will have access to the US Job market for a total of 29 months (previously a year, now extended to almost 2.5 years) after you Graduate your program. While the overall US labor market remains challenging, the outlook for people with High Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and other Quantitative education is quite reasonable.
This link http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stem-list.pdf - will show you what Masters Programs in the US are actually eligible for this extension. You will need to of course check with university / school you're specifically interested in, if the program you're aiming for is specifically eligible, but you can feel confident that most recognized US universities and college programs in STEM will be eligible for you to seek this benefit.
MBA Programs / Graduates are NOT eligible to seek this benefit!
You will notice that in addition to those in pure sciences, mathematics and engineering,
the below types of programs become eligible for you to seek the extension:
*Computer / Information Sciences, Systems Engineering
*Energy Management,
*Industrial / Manufacturing / Supply Chain Engg / Management, Operations Research (a.k.a Engineering Management), Engg Technology e.g MEM program
*Management Science, Quantitative Methods, Business Statistics etc
*General & Applied Mathematics, Financial Mathematics (Quant Finance / Econometrics)
This is a wider group of subjects than one could imagine, and studying these to complement some years of pre-program experience should allow you opportunities comparable to what MBA graduates would get. Now, these might pay a little lower (10-30% lower than MBAs depending on experience), but the profiles are equally good, and with performance and initiative, you would be able to catch up with your counterparts in the MBA. It's important to understand why 29 months of a post STEM Degree OPT is an advantage (in general and compared to the MBA):
- If you seek a functional post program role with a US based multinational with large global operations or vice-versa, you have a chance to get into a 1-2 year rotational program (normally limited to US Citizens / GC holders). You could argue convincingly that you will use the 29 month OPT period to learn, then are mobile to move to any other geography where the company has operations. Think the Ops Management Leadership Program or opportunities in GE or General Mills or United Technologies or Microsoft or or or... Then spend 2 years in the US, then get transferred to any other location with the same company. You're not only more mobile, but less expensive than a US citizen outside the US (tax reasons).
A 12 month OPT (from e.g an MBA) would NOT be long enough for the company to really accommodate you into one of their rotational programs.
- Your employer has more time (while you're on OPT) to apply for H1-B or may seek a visa-cap exempt H1-B for you. No such luck for MBAs!
- Value for technical (& managerial) skills!
- If you seek careers ourside classic investment banking or marketing; any of the above degrees will help you get there! In other words, one wouldn't NEED an MBA to do a job other than Investment Banking (sell side) or Marketing! Any of the STEM programs, if from a Top University with a Top Notch Engineering School, will also help you get into Consulting firms (including the McK's, BCG's Bains etc...). You will still need to work hard, score well in your GREs etc, and high GPAs while in the program; but 29 months might indicate wider options.
- If you're interested in a career (function or consulting) in Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chains, Quant Finance etc.... evaluate these programs besides MBAs. E.g if you're interested in a career in Operations / SCM in a major industrial company (e.g Pfizer / GE), have 5 years experience, and a good GRE / GMAT... you could be better served with a dual degree program like MIT's LGO (Dual MBA/MS Engg) or Kellogg's MMM (MBA + MS Engg) or Dartmouth's MBA/MEM or Georgia Tech's MS Industrial Engg or Stanford's MS in Management Science - you'd be eligible to seek the 29 month OPT. If you did a standard MBA (even with technology / operations electives), you would NOT be eligible to seek the extended OPT, therefore will be restricted to the 12 month OPT.
Hopefully, you will be presented with wider possibilities for your career.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Hi Baccardisprite,
I am very much interested in pursuing a Phd/D.B.A abroad .Currently am pursuing my MBA(IT) in India. I have a work experience of 2 years at Cognizant before i joined the bschool. Passed B.Tech(CSE) with first class(70 %) without any backlogs and my board marks too pretty decent(above 90% in 10th and 12th). Plz advise on the bschools abroad that provide Phd/D.B.A that suits my profile and also gives a good growth in career. Which other course abroad would you recommend for me that would enhance my profile,if not phD ? Also throw some light on the funding and financial support aspect too for PhD applicants.
Thanks,
Sandeep G Nair
@sand88 said:Hi Baccardisprite, I am very much interested in pursuing a Phd/D.B.A abroad .Currently am pursuing my MBA(IT) in India. I have a work experience of 2 years at Cognizant before i joined the bschool. Passed B.Tech(CSE) with first class(70 %) without any backlogs and my board marks too pretty decent(above 90% in 10th and 12th). Plz advise on the bschools abroad that provide Phd/D.B.A that suits my profile and also gives a good growth in career. Which other course abroad would you recommend for me that would enhance my profile,if not phD ? Also throw some light on the funding and financial support aspect too for PhD applicants. Thanks, Sandeep G Nair
Hi.... Please look at my posts on this thread with very specific advice on Ph.Ds. You'd have to search a bit, but should find them somewhere between Post #'s 1000-1200 on this threas.
I think you'll find all you need.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Hie ,
Hi,
Hello,
I have around 8 years exp. in IT, 3 years in India and 5 years in USA. Now I feel that I need MBA to climb up the corporate ladder. Here is my investigation summary:
MBA from Aboard:
Pros:
Great lifestyle, Bank hours (9AM - 6PM) lifestyle, less commutes time, more family time
Cons:
Getting the Education loan, Hugh Debt, Work visa
MBA from India:
Pros:
No visa, Less investment as compared to study abroad, Easy to get Education loan, Hugh friends network
Cons:
I am from NCR (North India) so high pollution, working in shifts not bank hours to keep the business running with western countries, more commute time, less family time, weak infrastructure, struggling govt. to meet basic needs like electricity, water, and unmanaged inflation. Check out the property price.
I dig more for options other than MBA. However, MIT programs are not suitable for me coz of my work ex/engg. Degree. I would appreciate to get other views on this as well as to get to know the other Indian cities (Explore India) where one can get at least the basic needs like electricity/water/less pollution etc.
Note: Pros and Cons are my personal views and these views are not meant to offend anybody.
Thanks
@[458317:mhtarora65],
Why did you leave FIITJEE (after they offered you a high package)?
Career goals? "Study abroad & have a great career ahead" - wrong order of priority - you need to think "what career, then great career" first! Then get into "study anywhere (India / abroad). Right now, the lower half of your message communicates a desire to escape India!
Think and post again, someone will help!
All the best
Baccardisprite
hello baccardisprite,
@[524457:ultimix]
First - Congratulations. Sounding confident (not complacent) is not the same as souding obnoxious. With your education and GPA, you can feel confident of your intellect. Yet, don't make the mistake of being underprepared for the GMAT. Get professional help if you need.
Second - Yes, you can feel confident of adcomms viewing your profile as different. You will need to do a few things over the next few years, along with getting a solid GMAT (740+) or GRE (98%ile +), and write a solid, well argued application to your programs of choice later on - to maximize the benefits of your being different, and making the difference totally transparent to adcomms.
Third - Being different to adcomms, therefore attractive as a candidate to the school is one thing. How will you be attractive to companies AFTER the MBA? How will you develop your competence in the field of Aerospace & Defence? You could do one or more of the below, which will help not only with building the 75%, but the stories of your life that will be the core of your application essays.
1) Acquire solid expertise in at least 2 technology sub-fields within Aerospace e.g Fuel & Propulsion, Aerospace / Aerodynamic Material Science / Engineering, Optics / Imaging, Avionics, Control and Instrumentation Systems, Digital Signalling. You need expertise that companies after the MBA will most value.
2) Look at getting into projects with a lot of external interaction, either with ISRO's clients (public or private) or with ISRO's suppliers / developmental partners. These external & x-functional interactions will strongly position you for techno-commercial roles in the future. You can also transfer the skills gained into consulting (broadening your post Masters scope even further).
3) When you get the time, learn about other technology fields that will use the science & tech borrowed from aerospace - e.g Medical Imaging / Radiology, Biomaterials, Precision Instruments, Automotive, Advanced Telecom, Nanotech, Cleantech, Geophysics, Aircraft Manufacturing & Propulsion.... Get knowledgeable of the wider world around you. You want this knowledge & your skills to combine and communicate with genuine authority that employers want. You never know where you might find yourself and your skills needed or transferring and working.
4) Learn a foreign language. I would recommend German &/or Japanese over the next 5 years, maybe even Korean. Each of these countries has a strong high-technology, precision engineering and manufacturing sector and yoou need to stay in their band of interest as you target them through a future Masters Program.
5) IF you have time & genuine passion for it, undertake some extra-curricular activity, but don't do any of this to burnish your profile. Let your professional achievements and profile speak for your candidature to a Masters Program, and attraction for an employer later.
6) Where possible, publish independently verifiable work (even if just scientific). This is important for your future employers to view you as someone who's not just smart, but is able to communicate and express himself.
7) IF & When offered by ISRO, take courses in personal development, communication and presentation skills etc....
8) Be a good boy and stay out of trouble.
In context of your future education:
1) Save every penny, even on a Government salary and infuse financial discipline into your life, not just for your MBA, but for life in general. Spend less on your girlfriend, and spend less eating out. Saying you can educate yourself ONLY if you have a scholarship is a bit myopic. A scholarship can never be guaranteed (Unless you get into LGO), so you have to do some of the financial hard yards yourself. Will you NOT go to MIT because you don't have a scholarship or would you find a way to get there, then get your long term career??
2) Think about other programs besides MIT's LGO. MIT also runs a superb Engineering Systems Program (Technology & Policy); think about Georgia-Tech, where you can try a dual Aerospace + Industrial Engineering Degree (Econ Decision Analysis); think Stanford where you can do Aerospace + Management Science; think TU Delft (Holland) which runs fantastic prorgams in Engineering, Policy Analysis, Interactive Product Design! These may NOT be MBAs, but these are career making degrees. You do one of these and you will have equal access to great techno-managerial line/staff jobs across a ralf of precision engineering industries (at MBA level or better) or the consulting firms that serve them. But always keep a finger/pulse on technology - because that's what you grew up with!
On LGO's preference - it's for candidates who have legal authorization to work in the countries where the partner companies have facilities. Don't let this worry you. IF you get into LGO - remember one of your degrees is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) degree. As a graduate of this degree, you are eligible for a 24-29 month post graduation OPT (Optional Practical Training) in the US! You can safely argue that though the 6.5 month internship + a possible 2 year stint with a LGO Partner company, you will have work authorization in the US. You may also be exempt (you'll need to check when you're there) from an H1B cap because of the nature of your education (technology). IF the company is a global company with facilities around the world, you're still pretty mobile and can go anywhere with the company. Every single one of the current list of LGO partners is a global giant! Relax about this.
In general, your attitude's good, your plans make sense, and your career goal is sound.
Make the next 5 years count!
All the best
Baccardisprite
@[595593:seekinguidance]
You seem to be talking more out of frustration. Your current comparison of life falls short on two counts - 1) Life in the west is NOT "bank hours"! It could get much longer than that 2) Right now, economies are NOT doing well, unemployment is high, people work harder and longer to protect what they have (back to point 1).
Think about your career and what you want to do with your life. Your situation as an Indian isn't unique, but if you want to get out of it (financially or geographically) you'll need to plan more coherently than you are now.
Think about your career and post again. Promise to help.
All the best
Baccardisprite
@[595843:bergkamp10]
I would say continue to perform well at work, and if possible get the highest possible marks in the PG program that you're going through. It would send a good signal to LSE. As important as the M.Sc degree though, is what you will do after. Legal & Econ Consulting, the kind carried out by companies like Charles River, LECG, Marsh NERA is very high end; carried out mostly by Ph.Ds and M.S Econ graduates. Their work is very research heavy.
So while an M.Sc Econ in LSE might be a nice brand, how do you intend gaining the research experience to work in an environment like that? Is Deloitte offering you exactly this sort of experience (Internal Audit is not exactly that, is it?)? Could working for a well known KPO/Analytics Research firm offer the Econ Consulting base experience that you need to crack the professional ranks in (e.g) NERA? If you go to LSE; the UK job market is pretty bad (job market + immi policy wise) for non-EU internationals? Worse if you have no experience? You probably don't speak a foreign language? So with just 2 years in (internal audit before an M.Sc) how much is the LSE name likely to help you?
Think about all this and post again.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Good angle ! Baccardisprite.
I never thought of that. I thought that I am confused mainly about geography which will link to investment but it looks like that you got more exp. dealing with this type of situtations, so may be you are right. Career wise, I want to be in General management/leadership type of role afer MBA and then if I am confident enough to run a business then open up my own business some day. That's pretty much about my career goal.
Please feel free to let me know if I gave you enough information of what you reqested sothat you can help me solve my dilemma. I appreciate your help and want to know your thoughts on this.
Thanks
@baccardisprite said: @ultimix First - Congratulations. ..... Make the next 5 years count! All the best Baccardisprite
@[595593:seekinguidance]
Sorry! Not enough.
General Management / leadership type of role immediately after an MBA will not happen. You'll need to build your expertise, competence and team / org leadership skills in 2-3 functions over 12-15 years after an an MBA to get a true "General Management / Leadership" type of role. So what function are you looking at immediately after an MBA? In what industry? In what type of company (do you have any example)? What is your career Plan A? What is your Plan B if Plan A doesn't work out?
You need to think. Take a few days and post again.
All the best
Baccardisprite
Hi Baccardisprite,
Came across this thread some time and found it extremely informative especially your frank and often hard hitting (& well meaning advise).
In my case, I am 35 year old (B.Com. : 1996-99 and MBA from NIT : 1999-2001). Have overal work experience of 11 years in Life Insurance domain of which 10 years have been with my current employer (Top 2 in the country). Currently hold a AVP profile and have prior exposure in Customer Service, Training, Operations and Sales.
I am now planning to pursue full time 1 year Top Ranked international MBA program to (A) Change sector (B) Gain International Experience (C) Prepare myself for Senior Management Positions.
Therefore appeared for GMAT (Oct, 2011) and scored miserably (
Two months back I decided to try my luck with some good colleges (mainly on strength of my experience/ essays/ interview and Recos etc). I have now secured offer from EMLYON (have to convey my decision in next few days) and hopeful of offer from Copenhagen Business School.
What is your opinion/ feedback about the MBA from these colleges considering my career objectives/ my profile etc.
Thanks and Regards
AS
@[485989:LakshayMBA]
"Trying your luck", missing your appointment at the GMAT center - right now your approach is less than diligent. Change sector to what sector, what type of company? International Experience ok, but in what function & what geography? Which then relates to "preparing yourself" for Senior Management - by doing what?
EM Lyon & Copenhagen are both considered strong 2nd tier in Europe. Copenhagen may offer more opportunities since the Nordics are economically stronger than Western EU. I wouldn't see much value from EM Lyon unless you're able to speak French and offer that skill to your employers post the EM Lyon program. Do you really want to go there?
In the meantime, your attitude to your GMAT is poor. Indian's are amongst the world's highest GMAT/GRE scorers. Unless there's something wow in your CV, what else would you differentiate yourself with? I'd say get professional coaching on the GMAT and reappear, this time stay committed and aim for a 700+.
Think and post again.
All the best
Baccardisprite
I will be specific.
Sector : Change to Banking/ Business Consulting domain (as 1st/2nd option) and Insurance (as 3rd option).
Function : Business Development/ Sales/ Operations
Don't intend to specifically pursue career opportunities in France after MBA and open to Middle East/ APAC/ Canada geographies. Accordingly planning to choose exchange program with either of Queens (for Canada) or Nanyang (Singapore).
Agree with your opinion about retaking GMAT and aim for 700+ score but my currect very hectic work schedule (6 days a week) does not leaves any time for focussed preparation of say 3 months or so to prepare for 700+ score !!!
@[485989:LakshayMBA]
You seem clear on what you "want" with your career; but your educational choices reflect a what you "can" get. Please avoid such limited and short-sighted thinking.
Much better! Career goals overall make sense. If you don't intend pursuing a career in Europe (seeing your geographical preferences), you're better off trying for APAC + Canadian Schools to ensure proximity to the job markets you prefer; due to the time constraints of an exchange program (3-4 month trimester/semester), it won't offer you the benefits of proximity. Therefore, despite your current admits, I wouldn't recommend going to either EM Lyon or Copenhagen.
The pressures of work are well understood by adcomms, however the part they're looking for, then the part employers will look for is how you balance time, your commitments and the stresses & pressures of your job / life. That's why explaining a low GMAT score with a "lack of time" is unlikely to cut it with anyone (adcomms / employers after). Banks & Consultants are shamelessly elitist organizations, and they will want it all from your profile. Excellent career, progress and achievements, strong academic credentials, and very strong standardized test scores. If you're over 10 years out of university, then the more preferred credential of academic ability (and quantitative / verbal) is a strong GMAT/GRE score. Preparing for and getting a strong GMAT/GRE score (specially at your age) indicates not only your academic ability, but demonstrates the commitment to prioritize to get ahead. Adcomms will appreciate it, employers will appreciate it.
Plan a vacation if possible (2-3 week window), and get some professional help with your GMAT. This will not come cheap, but it's an investment that helps to position you well with adcomms. Your professional profile appears quite strong, why would you want to expose yourself to a potentially weaker overall application (due your currently low GMAT score)? Would recommend you seek guidance from psychodementia, who's considered one of the foremost experts on the GMAT on this forum.
As for schools - I would recommend Ivey / Queens in Canada, INSEAD / ISB for APAC. Keep it down to 4 strong programs that you can apply to. This is important for other reasons as well - a top school will have the career services that can diligently advice, mentor, coach and train you to conduct the most effective self-driven job search (on or off campus); they will also have the street-credibility to attract strong companies in the industry you seek (banks / consultants) to campus to present, network & interview with; and the top schools will have a strong alumni base that you can access for networking + potentially off-campus opportunities (with the training you receive from school).
Hope this helps you plan the way forward.
All the best
Baccardisprite