[ida]

Good posts all round. Two paisas from me -

All jobs in the IT industry - be it for SEs or MBAs - are technical in nature. Difference is in the depth of understaning and practice. MBAs have to "dirty their hands" in the technology they are delivering, but the nittygritties are left to the engineering people. That said, no MBA can survive in IT by talking quick and fast. You are valued for your knowledge of the product and domain both. Ignore one side and you will only limit yourself.

Knowledge of the product is important, but as a MBA knowing the domain is paramount. Therefore a Systems/IT specialisation is not required, it can be Marketing, Finance or HR - as long as you know your stuff. I would go as far as to say that a people with a grad in IT/CS related streams should *avoid* a technology major, as you only relearn stuff that you did in college. And IT firms dont give extra weigtage to Systems major students over other streams.

I would recommend Finance and Operations as suitable areas for folks targetting IT cos.

[its_prad]

For all those who post there views, kindly support your views with info like , Your Education, Experience and Designation held

[its_prad]

The emergence of Information Technology (IT) /Management Information Systems (MIS) has left no part of business untouched; especially due to the growth of e-commerce and telecommunications.

The last few years have seen the emergence of Information Technology (IT) /Management Information Systems (MIS) as a major function of any industry, from being just a departmental function earlier. Indeed, no part of business is untouched by Information systems because of the growth of e-commerce and telecommunications.

Operations MBAs require IS in procurement roles. The marketing MBAs use market research, and segmentation to formulate strategies; Finance MBAs require IS in equity research and corporate finance and even HR MBAs require IS in Change Management consulting! This is the reason that more and more MBAs are taking up extra credits in Information systems and IT even if they major in some other subject. For people specializing in MIS, the career path is quite rosy, if skewed in favor of engineers and technical graduates. One can join as System Analyst, and then go on to Technical Systems Manager and ultimately on to Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Systems and Consultancy is almost synonymous with computers. Systems activity is a support function which is responsible for customized-development of IT solutions in all areas — from automating attendance punching to putting daily sales and distribution data online, to developing Enterprise Resource Planning solutions. Consulting is provided to organizations to devise strategies for new initiatives in IT, Marketing, HR, etc. In the IT Industry, the options could be Project Management in a software development company like Infosys and TCS or Sales and Marketing in IT companies like IBM, Wipro, etc.

An Engineer-MBA with a sound understanding of business concepts is seen as the best fit for the job of a project manager in software development, but a non-engineer is no disqualification either. For a successful Systems and Consulting career, you have to possess good analytical skills, be a good team-player and have an unending quest for knowledge.

Companies that usually recruit for Systems are:

IT Companies: SAP, Motorola, Satyam, HCL, TCS, Infosys, I2 Technologies, Wipro Infotech, Mindtree Consulting, etc.

Over the past one decade the thing that has most astonished people in terms of growth is the IT Industry, popularly referred to as “INFOTECH” or “SOFTWARE”. In all spheres of life, computers are becoming part and parcel of all human endeavors and a career in computers shows unmatched promise, potential and a veritable goldmine in terms of innovation.

India too, has not been far behind as far as “Software Development” or Infotech growth. With the Government’s policy of reforms in 1991, the entire Infotech market has seen a quantum leap. This has enthused job opportunities for computer-savvy individuals like never before. But these days a degree in Computers is not enough. Generally most industries seek graduates who have flair in both Management and Computers. For such people, the career is an MBA in Systems.

A major boom in the next five years is expected in the field of Internet related Electronic Commerce. In fact, most of the IT majors are concentrating on this area as it promises one of the highest growth rates due to the fact that India still has one of the lowest per capita PC penetrations. Once the boom starts, experts predict it would be mind boggling. In fact, several enterprising young people have started companies that are dabbling in E-Commerce already. Engineers are best suited for a specialization in Systems.

[ida]

Prad, what is the source of the article? thanks

[orca]

Hmm what exactly is rocking ?? The pay? the career growth ? onsite opps ? work-life balance ?

Pretty keen to know what post-MBA life in IT will look like. Can we have personal experiences abt this pls ?? Something like "typical day at office for a BA or an IT consultant" ??

[aspire]

Originally Posted by orca

Hmm what exactly is rocking ?? The pay? the career growth ? onsite opps ? work-life balance ?

Pretty keen to know what post-MBA life in IT will look like. Can we have personal experiences abt this pls ?? Something like "typical day at office for a BA or an IT consultant" ??

Kedar .. u took the words right off my mouth.... Even I desperately want to know that and who else but the "systems guru" to enlighten us


regards

shailesh

[ida]

Kedar and Shaiesh,

This link pretty much sums it up:

An IT consultant works in partnership with clients to overcome their business challenges through the application of technology. A consultant's work will often be based on the need to improve efficiency and the way a company functions, with IT used as a means to achieve this.

They can also be responsible for user training and for feedback. In many companies, these roles will be carried out by different members of a project team.
The term IT consultant can itself be confusing, and people with this job title perform different roles in different organisations. Increasingly, the role might also have a sales component.
Typical work activities

The daily routine of an IT consultant is usually very varied and will depend on the size and nature of the organisation and the level at which the consultant is employed. Consultancy projects can last from a few hours to several years, depending on the client's requirements.
Some or all of the following activities may be undertaken:

• meeting with clients to determine requirements;
• working with clients to define the scope of a project;
• planning timescales and the resources needed;
• clarifying a client's system specifications, understanding their work practices and the nature of their business;
• travelling to customer sites;
• liaising with staff at all levels of a client organisation;
• defining software, hardware and network requirements;
• analysing problems and making recommendations;
• developing agreed solutions and implementing new systems;
• presenting solutions in written or oral reports;
• helping clients with change-management activities;
• project managing the design and implementation of preferred solutions;
• purchasing systems, where appropriate;
• designing, testing, installing and monitoring new systems;
• preparing documentation and presenting progress reports to customers;
• organising training for users and other consultants;
• being involved in computer sales and support and, where appropriate, maintaining contact with client organisations.

From:
IT consultant in close-up

[aspire]

Originally Posted by ida

Kedar and Shaiesh,

being involved in computer sales and support and, where appropriate, maintaining contact with client organisations.
From:
IT consultant in close-up

Thanks man ... it was a great help ....will keep asking you more questions .. hope you will oblige

regards

shailesh

[zero1]

guys pls continue with the good work.

i am myself a BE (Computers):grab: and am serioulsy looking at MBA (Systems) as a spec.
But am confused regarding :

1> Is it a good idea to specilaise in the same field u have graduated in. i mean obvioulsy i have done COMPUTERS and can get a software job after this. So why do an MBA(systems) after that?.it"ll be double spec isn't it?

whats boost will it give to my career?. i mean cant' a BE guy become a BA .how many years it"ll take>

2> i have a inclination towards IT. not coding though. a managerial job combined with tech will be just fine.

3> If i specialise in Mktg n fin can i get recruited in a IT comp.?
coz if i do mktg/fin it"ll broaden my scope not restricting it to IT.

senior junta pls help
i hope this post will help the others BE COMP's/ IT realted ppl who are facing such a dilemna


Regards

[zero1]

Originally Posted by its_prad

Hi All,

I wish to start this Thread as guidance to all MBA Systems Aspiring students.


Regards
Prad

hi prad. thx for startting this thread. i have also scrapped you on orkut reagrding this.