With 4 yrs of IT exp, should I join family business for a year before doing MBA?

adikat · 03:29 PM

Hi All,

Just to brief you about my profile:

Completed B.E in 2004
Good acads
4 years exp in the IT industry - accelerated progress in both career and salary

I have not taken GMAT. I would like to go for 12/18 mths MBA course.

Additional info: My parents have a 20+ yr old medium sized business related to the manufacturing/mechanical industry.

At the start of this year, when I decided to go for MBA, I had thought of working for 3-4 years post MBA and then join the family business. I also had plans of exploring new avenues after settling into business. Accordingly, I did some research, visited education fairs and found out that my profile of 3+ yrs of IT exp could get me admission into decent ranked colleges in UK without taking GMAT

. I then went through the usual process of acquiring transcripts, preparing sop, essays, recos, ielts (scored 8.5

) and applied to short listed b-schools in UK. As of now, I currently have offers from 3 good b-schools (globally ranked around 50 by FT) in UK for full time MBA course starting in September 2008.

But now I feel that I underrated my profile and am having second thoughts about pursuing MBA this year. I feel that I should take GMAT this year (in late aug/early sep) and reapply for MBA starting in 2009 to b-schools in uk, asia-pacific and australia.

I have thought of the following scenarios:
1 - Give GMAT in late aug and continue to work in IT for the next year so that I have total of 5 yrs exp by the time the course starts in 2009

2- Quit my current job, give GMAT by late aug and then join the family business. Undergo hands on training for one year and then take up MBA in 2009.

Doubts:
While scenario 1 looks safe, my IT profile (w/o many extra curricular activities) will be pretty much similar to majority of the candidates applying for MBA, also it will restrict my job options post MBA.

Scenario 2 is beneficial as it will provide me dual experience of IT/manufacturing industry and also I can learn basics of entrepreneurship and face the challenges of running a business before joining the course. I feel that this will not only help me build my skills but also give me a fair idea of whether I have the ability to venture out into my business.

However, I am worried on how the admission committee will look at my quitting my job and joining the family business. Will it be taken as +ve or -ve? Will it consider working for family business as a valid experience?
Also, since I plan to work for 3-4 years post MBA, will the companies have a problem with me being part of the family business during my pre MBA work experience?

This is my current dilemma...:cool1:
I request you all to help me in taking the right decision with your valuable experience. Any new suggestions are most welcome...

MartianOnEarth

Hi Adikat,

You are right that a vast majority of Indian applicants to international b-schools come from the IT background. And family business can give you a well-rounded experience, provided you stick around for at least a year or two.

A few months experience can actually raise more questions about your seriousness, commitment, planning and end up looking like a knee-jerk decision. If you are considering international programs, you still have age on your side.

You'd be better off applying to a top-20 (rather than 50) at the end of 2 years as you can then focus on getting entrepreneurial experience, work hard on your GMAT/application and be a bit more clear on what you really want from your MBA experience.

Good luck

zubingeorge3

If joining the family business is not an obligation then i would advice u aginst it... atleast till the time u complete ur MBA, the reasons being stated above my post

Apart that, a sudden change in ur career could actually show negative in ur resume/sops. you could mention abt ur family buisness as well in the sops and that you also plan to integrate it etc etc with ur mentioned points. also since ur IT experinece is solid and with 5 yrs below u, i wonder if any top B-skool wudnt tk u in.
ATB

ankurjain2k

hello Adicat,

I would like to share my views with you. you have a pretty good work experience on ur side. Most of the best Bschools abroad have average work experience is 4-5 years. with good score in ur bag, you should be able to secure admission in any school of your choice.

adn as far as SPICINg up profile goes, as to go with others, I dont think there is any point taking up that avenue. I am pretty sure witha lready 4 years in IT you must have got ample opportunitie sto write a lot in ur essays and SOPs. and over ther you could very well write that as you ahve earned a lot of knowledge in Indian IT industry and Indian business scenarios( as u ahve family business) Now you want to explore other global avenues. u want global GYAN. and its obvious that after done with IT for 5 years u want major push in ur career. and iam sure during the course of time. you will be clear that u really want to go for business or not.

I think some of my views might help u and some might be waste. what ever ATB for ur career.

itarunalex

Hi ,

Its better you complete your MBA work for atleast one year in a compnay then enter into your family business...MBA will teach you how to run a compnay & your exp in a company will help you to grow & mature as a manager ,then enter into your family business ....

Success Ahead !

Warm Regards

Arun Alex

xcoolaryan

I will offer different perspective....my knowledge regarding to MBA abroad is pretty much limited so I won't be talking about that but I think I can definitely talk about Family Business & Entrepreneurship

But before making any suggestion, I would like to know whether you are obligated / want to join your family business sooner or later (I am still confused about this even after reading your earlier post)

adikat

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcoolaryan

I will offer different perspective....my knowledge regarding to MBA abroad is pretty much limited so I won't be talking about that but I think I can definitely talk about Family Business & Entrepreneurship

But before making any suggestion, I would like to know whether you are obligated / want to join your family business sooner or later (I am still confused about this even after reading your earlier post)

Hi Aryan,

There is neither any obligation nor any time frame to join the family business. I want to be associated with the family business for a year before my MBA mainly from a learning perspective. I hope this answers your query.

xcoolaryan

That's clear up the pictures ... actually, now in this case I won't be able to help much as this related to how to make your application more attractive so that school will accept you and i have very little knowledge in this domain.

nway, All the bets for your future journey.