Personal/Career/CAT-job Dilemma Queries : A Repository

MBA CAT 2022
625
Hi Puys,
I work as a consultant for a US based portal. I write on a freelance basis for them and am paid for my work every month. How should I mention this while applying for the CAT?
I started this job after graduation.

Any help appreciated.


Whats the problem? Does this not fit into the options given in the form?
626
nothoughts Says
Banking and then MBA is a smoother career transition than MBA after B Tech. But if you are interested in doing Electronics core job then go ahead and search for related jobs. But banking is a good choice of field to do before MBA. It won't affect, rather it will boost your future MBA prospects.


I agree. But usually the salary your receiving is one of the factors in determining the quality of experience. So a lower salary job may lower the points for the work-ex in terms of quality in some B Schools. Of course criteria varies from B school to B school.
627

Hey guys,

I'm pretty confused here. I graduated this year with a B.Com degree. I've worked through my final year of graduation, not an internship or apprenticeship or any other category mentioned in the forms. It was a full-time paid job.
So, my question is that how many months do I put in as work experience? The whole of 19 months or just the few months after graduation?

628
Hi Puys,
I work as a consultant for a US based portal. I write on a freelance basis for them and am paid for my work every month. How should I mention this while applying for the CAT?
I started this job after graduation.

Any help appreciated.


Even I'm on the same boat as him...
After engg I didn't join the company where I was placed and I was interested in freelancing and earning handsomely from it..

If showing freelancing as work exp is impossible then I would have joined the company where I was placed
629

i have completed enggn
I have an offer from an IT company
The DOJ is expected to be around oct end- nov period.


IOfcourse this is a complete personal choice thing, but how risky is it to chuck offer ?

its not that i dont want a job till MBA. But not gettin in CORE.

630
i have completed my BE (electronics) from Mumbai.
I have an offer from TCS.
The DOJ is expected to be around oct end- nov period.

The thing is that i am not so very keen on IT. Programming does not interest me enuf to have it as a career.

I am preparing for CAT'09. 91%ile last yr.
but once i JOIN TCS i am not even sure if i can give all the MBA entrances.
i mite hav training in TVM / Bhubhaneshvar/ hyd ( unsure


Ofcourse this is a complete personal choice thing, but how risky is it to chuck TCS offer ?

its not that i dont want a job till MBA. But not gettin in CORE.
And this programming is such crap.


Hey,

CAT is all about confident! CAT is all about preparation! CAT is all about dedication! The list is very long...... Most importantly, CAT is all about avoiding hasty decision too! If I am in your place, I will not take that hasty decision of chucking the TCS offer. The reason quoted by you does not make sense to me. Simply because, all the exams will be held on weekends. Moreover, I don't think that you are going to appear for all the exams under the sun. That's not wise too! It will divert your concentration to a greater extent. So, my suggestion is "not to worry about "chuking the job offer and all" now".... Just concentrate on CAT and you will definitely bell the CAT and take a joy-ride.
631
Hey guys,

I'm pretty confused here. I graduated this year with a B.Com degree. I've worked through my final year of graduation, not an internship or apprenticeship or any other category mentioned in the forms. It was a full-time paid job.
So, my question is that how many months do I put in as work experience? The whole of 19 months or just the few months after graduation?


Hi Shaunak,

To the best of my knowledge, work experience will count only the period that you work after your completion of degree. But as far as B-School forms are concerned, you can safely mention 19 months, but during GD/PI you should be in a position to justify. To be in a safer side, I would urge you to visit a nearby CAT coaching center (IMS, Time...) or make a call to the concerned college and get your doubt clarified.
632
Hey guys,

I'm pretty confused here. I graduated this year with a B.Com degree. I've worked through my final year of graduation, not an internship or apprenticeship or any other category mentioned in the forms. It was a full-time paid job.
So, my question is that how many months do I put in as work experience? The whole of 19 months or just the few months after graduation?


We were discussing a similar thing in my office also when we were re-engineering the recruitment process. We decided that one can not do a full time studies and a full-time job simultaneously because that defeats the concept of full time. So either studies is part time or job is part time. The same years can't be added to years of studies and years of work experience. Either it is a part time job during a full time BCom or a part time B-Com during a full time job. I feel IIM will probably use similar logic though I am not sure. Not even sure if at all helps.
633

Well, as far as what my situation goes, my Bcom carried me till 9.30 in the morning, then office till 6pm. I don't see where any question of part-time comes in. Work hours were full-time, study hours were even more. So, I guess, I'd have to take raaamsss' advice and put it in as 19 months. I do have documentation to justify it.
I still am not sure though, but it should do.

634

Hi, I'm an I.T grad. completed my graduation in the year 2006... was managing my family business for some years, now I want to get out of that and do something on my own.. I also worked for Nokia Siemens Networks for about 6 months..now I don't have a job .. I'm planning to appear for CAT 2009 .... What else can I do ??? Confused a lot ???

635

Hi...Have done B.E(IT) with 1.5yrs of software development experience,now i want to pursue MBA, can any one suggest me ..Wich specialization is best for me...? (w.r.t job opportunity)

Marketing/IT/manufacturing ...?

636

hello ppl,

Its for the first time that I have visited this thread. and i am glad that I did. For after reading the above few posts I feel like I have found a silver lining in the cloud.

I have graduated this year in computer science and engineering. I have a job offer from Ericsson. I also have alternate job offer from TCS. Ericsson has asked me to join in 2 days and the date of joining for TCS has not yet been declared but it will be soon. The job location is better suited for me at ericsson.


But, I have been preparing really hard for cat .I wrote it last year and got 98.09. pretty decent scores in some other entrances as well. However, I want to do my mba from a good b-school . And I did not have a call from any of them. so, i decided to give cat again this year. The late joining dates were a blessing in disguise. But the problem is that I have to join now.The other option is to leave the job offers and sit and home and study. My mocks are not going very well and my family is advising me that leaving the job offers may prove very risky.My faculty advises me that if I join I may not be able to go thru cat and should join only after cat is over.

I have just 1 DAY TO DECIDE!!...I want to make it through cat..

Please tell me:--
Is it possible for me to clear cat if I join??or should I religiously give cat and forget about the joining..

I also don't know how good is telecom sector as compared to IT as I am a comp. sc. engineer... wats good for me??

Please reply..I have just one day to decide...

637
hello ppl,

Its for the first time that I have visited this thread. and i am glad that I did. For after reading the above few posts I feel like I have found a silver lining in the cloud.

I have graduated this year in computer science and engineering. I have a job offer from Ericsson. I also have alternate job offer from TCS. Ericsson has asked me to join in 2 days and the date of joining for TCS has not yet been declared but it will be soon. The job location is better suited for me at ericsson.


But, I have been preparing really hard for cat .I wrote it last year and got 98.09. pretty decent scores in some other entrances as well. However, I want to do my mba from a good b-school . And I did not have a call from any of them. so, i decided to give cat again this year. The late joining dates were a blessing in disguise. But the problem is that I have to join now.The other option is to leave the job offers and sit and home and study. My mocks are not going very well and my family is advising me that leaving the job offers may prove very risky.My faculty advises me that if I join I may not be able to go thru cat and should join only after cat is over.

I have just 1 DAY TO DECIDE!!...I want to make it through cat..

Please tell me:--
Is it possible for me to clear cat if I join??or should I religiously give cat and forget about the joining..

I also don't know how good is telecom sector as compared to IT as I am a comp. sc. engineer... wats good for me??

Please reply..I have just one day to decide...


Wasting a full year entirely for preparation for CAT is the height of foolishness especially when you have already written CAT and got 98.08. It will be so boring that your score will go down. Understand CAT for what it is - It is just and aptitude test of basic Math reasoning and communication. How much will you prepare. Go for the job and prepare on weekends. You can do it. I would advise you to got for the tech job. IT job especially in a company like TCS for less than a year is totally useless. IT experience usually starts giving some value from after second year on when you start leading teams, get into the process management etc. So pointless if you have a better option. So I would go for the Ercison job.
638

@ Lisa, analyze what your true interests are and in the time for searching for a new job, try to upgrade your skillsets constantly.

Gradually, that will help you boost your confidence and as well improve your chances of landing a job.

Wish you all the best!

639

I have a query. I have done an MBA from IFMR and is planning to do a phD abroad. I need to know if I can do it in 3 yrs or only 5 yrs is the option?..help me out!!

640

Hi all,

Its great to see a thread where we can express our dilemma.

I am working in IT as software engg for 4 years and this will be my third CAT attempt. I scored 90 + percentile in all cat and used to clear atleast 1 or 2 sectional cutoff in mock last year. I am interested for good B school which can add value to my resume and lead me to me to right profile I am looking for.

But this year, due to certain constraint, I had to change job 2 months back.. (Although I wanted to leave job and prepare full time). But the work is very hectic and it takes me 3-4 hrs in travelling. Moreover , this year I have cleared the cutoff in only one mock . I am very much perturbed because of this. Not getting enough time to practice... Sleeping just 4-5 hrs for so many days...inspite of that not getting into full blow like last year...CAT is the only solution which can take me away from IT and put me into the right place am looking for.. Moreover, if this year I will miss the train then I will gain good experience in IT next year, and it will become difficult for me to change the domain. My profile is good (Not very good in academic marks). But professionally, I have achieved alot...

Please help me with this dilemma... What should I do ? ... What should i do to rejuvenate again....Will it be okay to fill the form of B schools like tapmi, UBS, SIIB etc (Although these are good insti bt ll not help me to attain right profile)

Thanks for your advice...

641

Hey Puys,
I wrote my first CAT 2008 and got 84%ile.I was not serious.I think three things went wrong:
1.Did nt give enough time for it.
2.Lacked good planning and analysis skills required.
3.Lacked motivation for it.
4.Had joined classes in IMS.Did not utilize my resources for an optimum extent.

Well,I never thought I would do an MBA now.I thought I would garner enuf experience.Almost 3 months into my work.I am definitely not going to stay in this field.IT work tht I do is very mechanical.I want really out of it and do something very challenging.

This time I wanna try full fledged.I wanna keep all the options open.Can some1 enumerate wat all I can apply for???I am really clueless.I am open to apply for UK universities(since they re one yr course n cheaper).I wanna do an MBA by next year.

So wat shld my plan be for this year.Can some1 help me make a clear cut goal for this.And does my work ex count??I started 3 months bak.My profile is:
X th--88%
XII th--88%
BE---70%(highest is 81%)
PS:I know its very late.I am ready to work with full dedication this time around.:-P:-P
Please Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!:shocked::shocked::shocked::shocked:

642

Hi Puys,

Edited
Reason: Made a decision

643
Hi all,

Its great to see a thread where we can express our dilemma.

I am working in IT as software engg for 4 years and this will be my third CAT attempt. I scored 90 + percentile in all cat and used to clear atleast 1 or 2 sectional cutoff in mock last year. I am interested for good B school which can add value to my resume and lead me to me to right profile I am looking for.

But this year, due to certain constraint, I had to change job 2 months back.. (Although I wanted to leave job and prepare full time). But the work is very hectic and it takes me 3-4 hrs in travelling. Moreover , this year I have cleared the cutoff in only one mock . I am very much perturbed because of this. Not getting enough time to practice... Sleeping just 4-5 hrs for so many days...inspite of that not getting into full blow like last year...CAT is the only solution which can take me away from IT and put me into the right place am looking for.. Moreover, if this year I will miss the train then I will gain good experience in IT next year, and it will become difficult for me to change the domain. My profile is good (Not very good in academic marks). But professionally, I have achieved alot...

Please help me with this dilemma... What should I do ? ... What should i do to rejuvenate again....Will it be okay to fill the form of B schools like tapmi, UBS, SIIB etc (Although these are good insti bt ll not help me to attain right profile)

Thanks for your advice...


I was in a similar situation. So I filled FMS, IIFT, XIM, XLRI, NITIE MDI and SP Jain as backup. But now thinking back I doubt if I would do that given a chance. With 4-5 + workex, ISB would be a better choice from a practical point of view. For me, it was an emotional thing - the need to conquer CAT. But from a practical stand point there are not many people with 4-5 years IT experience at Fresher focussed B schools like IIMs and the others I mention. Even lateral candidates have less than 3 years experience. So companies looking for that kind of profile don't come down as there are not many candidates to choose from. So life becomes difficult.
644
Hey Puys,
I wrote my first CAT 2008 and got 84%ile.I was not serious.I think three things went wrong:
1.Did nt give enough time for it.
2.Lacked good planning and analysis skills required.
3.Lacked motivation for it.
4.Had joined classes in IMS.Did not utilize my resources for an optimum extent.

Well,I never thought I would do an MBA now.I thought I would garner enuf experience.Almost 3 months into my work.I am definitely not going to stay in this field.IT work tht I do is very mechanical.I want really out of it and do something very challenging.

This time I wanna try full fledged.I wanna keep all the options open.Can some1 enumerate wat all I can apply for???I am really clueless.I am open to apply for UK universities(since they re one yr course n cheaper).I wanna do an MBA by next year.

So wat shld my plan be for this year.Can some1 help me make a clear cut goal for this.And does my work ex count??I started 3 months bak.My profile is:
X th--88%
XII th--88%
BE---70%(highest is 81%)
PS:I know its very late.I am ready to work with full dedication this time around.:-P:-P
Please Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!:shocked::shocked::shocked::shocked:


Don't try for second rung foreign B Schools. From what I have seen people doing them don't get jobs either there or here. Some of the good Indian B Schools even outside of the top 15 in ranking would probably give you a better value for money.