[waiwai]

What are chances of landing a job in UK after doing an MBA in Vlerick ?
I am planning to apply for an MBA in UK, because i want to work in the UK post-mba. But if I dont get through any one of them, was thinking of Vlerick as an option. Any thoughts ?

[arunvsub]

Hi Guys,

I am new on pagalguy and would need your help (especially alumi and current students of Vlerick) regarding some queries:

I am an engineer and also an MBA from ICFAI, post which I have more than 3 ad half years experience in HR from large firms (DLF and Dr.Reddy's). I feel that my MBA from ICFAI is holding me back and am looking at an MBa from a B-school of international repute especially in Europe.

I am looking to join in the 2010 sep batch, so is Vlerick worth the investment for doing a second MBA. I am lookin to transition from HR to either brand management or strategy. I do have basic knowledge of French which I can brush up well before sep 2010. How good is the career services and since it a small batch do the students match lucrative offers generally.

Regards

[mkopparam]

French will not be necessary - the course is in English.

ALL the rest of your questions have been answered earlier on in this thread.

Originally Posted by arunvsub

Hi Guys,

I am new on pagalguy and would need your help (especially alumi and current students of Vlerick) regarding some queries:

I am an engineer and also an MBA from ICFAI, post which I have more than 3 ad half years experience in HR from large firms (DLF and Dr.Reddy's). I feel that my MBA from ICFAI is holding me back and am looking at an MBa from a B-school of international repute especially in Europe.

I am looking to join in the 2010 sep batch, so is Vlerick worth the investment for doing a second MBA. I am lookin to transition from HR to either brand management or strategy. I do have basic knowledge of French which I can brush up well before sep 2010. How good is the career services and since it a small batch do the students match lucrative offers generally.

Regards

[arunvsub]

I was mentioning that I know basic French as many of them had quoted that knowledge of French would better your chances in finding and materializing career opportunities.

My main concern is, "Is Vlerick a good and worthwhile choice for doing my second MBA?" coz, this is my last chance to rewrite my career. Would appreciate if someone can address this.

Also with the recent rankings in top 100 in FT too (2008 and 09) apart from the EIU rankings (2006,07,08,09) has the reputation and recognition for the program gone up with international firms compared to a few years back?

[mkopparam]

The many that talk about a knowledge of French would better your chances in Belgium are the ones who believe Belgium speaks only French which is not true. Belgium also speaks Dutch and German.

Leuven where Vlerick is based is in the Flemish part of Belgium. Eventually, after you graduate, your best chances for work is in Brussels which is 70% French and 30% Dutch (but after four years in Belgium, I am yet to walk into any establishment and be able to be understood in Dutch) so French might be advisable but then employment is not limited to the Walloon part of Belgium (French speaking) you also have options from the north of Antwerp (Dutch speaking) - so, take your pick: which language(s) are you going to learn?

You will NEVER be able to find a job based on YOUR French (or Dutch or German) however hard you brush it up because you will be competing with local and native speakers. So forget it, don't waste your time on it. Instead, work on your strengths and not on your weaknesses.

When I joined Vlerick its ranking was 14, the year before it was 27, then the year after it became 19, the year after that it fell off the table completely, and now it comes back in at 10 - this is cyclical (like the economy) and no real indicator of the school's real worth. I personally think that it has nothing to do with ranking but more to do with how much the school spends on advertising in FT for that year. And incidentally the rankings are based on feedback from alumni from THREE YEARS AGO. So in 2009 you're actually reading rankings from students of 2005 - 06.

In Europe if you do not have a background in the field you want to take up (Brand management/strategy in your case) then it is almost impossible to get a job in it. 'Sector experience' is the buzzword here. You are hired on what you can bring to the job based on your experience in it rather than your ability to do something new.

So essentially, you can hope to get a job in HR (your current calling) and NOT the others you want to shift to.

And lucrative offers in Belgium DO NOT HAPPEN. The pay is conservative and low in Belgium which any of my worthy colleagues here in these fora will confirm. The standard of life is high and that's the only benefit - it is also based on, provided, you're part of a double income family. If you're on a single income and have to work towards paying back loans and living here - forget it, you're better off where you are.

As far as I know, the highest offer anybody received in the 2006 - 07 batch was 85,000 euro gross. (Income tax for that bracket is around 55%). There was a recent statistic (two weeks old) that the Vlerick graduate earns the highest remuneration - over and above an MBA from Wharton or Harvard.

This is a ridiculous claim by the college and it was based on statistics from 2006 - 07. This info was widely
circulated amongst my batchmates from that year and was unanimously ridiculed, laughed at and dismissed as a joke.

I rewrote my career when I was 42 (was 43 when I got my MBA) and to tell you the truth am still rewriting it (the best is yet to come, I think) so I would think YOUR last chance is still probably many years away - don't rush into this. Take your time and DON'T push yourself into doing something rash. I guess you're around 26/28 years old and for me that sounds like you're just beginning your journey...

And oh! Nobody gives a shit here about your MBA, the corporate mantra is to hire you cheap. They don't care what degrees you have. It's your experience that counts.

Most people who have jobs here after their MBAs have them on the basis of their experience and what they did in their previous jobs. Very, very few have been able to make a change in careers so the MBA is immaterial in the long run.

[sanjeedq]

Hi Arun
I am presently undergoing my MBA at Vlerick. I would say knowing French is always an advantage as far as finding jobs is concerned even though your French skills would never be considered as good as say Native speakers. The thing is Vlerick has one of the most international batch in the world(our batch has 41 nationalities in 89 people) so knowing French would definitely make you stand out as most job requirements are for people knowing Dutch, French or both on top of English. Regarding your question whether Vlerick is a good choice, the college is reputed all over the world. The faculty teaching here is world class, the method of teaching is case study based which I have found very helpful and in general the kind of interactions you have with your colleagues(who have wealth of experience) you will not get anywhere in India. The difference between MBA in India and abroad with regards to job search is that in India colleges will get you a job, whereas outside India your college will guide you, rest you have to do yourself.
The college has a very good placement record in the sense that the ranking for 'students placed 3 months' is the best for this college so in that sense you are in good hands.
I tend to disagree with Madhu on many counts because these were the exact comments he had posted on paagalguy while I was about to join college. I am sorry to say Madhu but I have no idea why you keep on degrading Vlerick as a college. Never for once did I read you mentioning Vlerick as an academic institution. Also as far as jobs go it is the same everywhere in Europe and US so why single out Vlerick only. This is one of the best college in terms of ROI in the world to which everyone agrees. I know job is very important and that is the exact reason I had joined this institution, but had I joined anywhere else things would have been same.
Regarding the claims you are talking about they have been published by 'The Economist' so please if you have any issues take it up with them, why keep blaming the college about it. Do you keep on criticizing every organization you have studied in or worked for in a similar manner?
I had felt the same way about all your posts even before I had joined Vlerick and even now I feel the same. Giving a correct picture to everyone is important but for you it seems you are hard bent on bringing this institution down and I have no idea why.
To be frank Arun at the present economic scenario, changing careers will be a very difficult task from most colleges. The best way to go about it would be to look for an In House Consultancy project in the field you are interested in and in trying to excel in that. Many people get PPO's this way and are able to change fields. Another important thing is that since this is a 1 year program, so it is very difficult to change your field or line of working.

Me and my colleagues will be more than willing to answer to any other queries which you might have.

Regards

Sanjeed

[arunvsub]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the insights, was definitely useful. I have experience in the following sectors: Real estate, Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals. So do companies from these sectors come to Vlerick, such that we can do projects in them?

Regards
Arun

[lovejoykiljoy]

Hi,

I have been admitted to Vlerick Leuven Gent - IMBA Full Time 2010/11 !

Now starts the time to prepare for coming over to Belgium !

I look forward to advice and guidance from Fellow Puys and Puys who're already in Vlerick.

Regards,
Lovejoy Kiljoy

[lovejoykiljoy]

Puys who're already in Vlerick, can you kindly let me know adequate details on the following -
a. Accommodation - How, Where, What Type and How Much
b. Medical Insurance - How, Where, What Type and How Much
c. Student Visa - Any suitable Agent to go through or, apply yourself and When
d. Work Permit (Post Vlerick) - Any suitable Agent to go through or, apply yourself and When
e. Family Joining Me (Post Vlerick) - How and Allied Details

[answerfortytwo]

Hi Lovejoykiljoy,

Here is what I know:
a. Accommodation - You have options called Kamers, Studios and Apartments. Kamers means you have your own room but share facilities (kitchen, rest room, showers) with other students. Studios are single self sufficient units. Apartments have rooms and can be used by one or more than one person. The range starts from 250 Euro to 1000+ Euro per month depending on the kind of luxury you're looking for. In our batch we probably have a median rent of about 400 Euro per month and a mean of about 340 Euro per month, including internet. I suggest you take a guest house for the first 5 days of your stay in Leuven and then find a place once you are here. Finding a place should be easy if you turn up about 3 weeks before school starts.
b. Medical insurance - you have options in Belgium. Most of us took it through school. It's around 50 Euro per year with CM. You might want to take a local (Indian) insurance for the first few weeks when you travel, if you really want to. After that you can switch to the CM plan. Vlerick will arrange for a session where the CM guys will give you the forms to apply.
c. The VISA process can be quite long so apply early. You'll have to apply through VFS. There should be some useful information in the earlier pages. Spend some time and read the earlier posts. If you still have questions feel free to ask us. I don't think any of us came across useful agents for the "student" visa. We might post some more information regarding the actual visa process and the difficulties we faced. Use this link -->
Belgium Visa
d. Work permit (- why don't you take one thing at a time? ) Depending on where your job is you can then apply directly for a work permit. I don't think you actually need an agent. Go through your prospective employer. When - (well) - when is after you get your job offer.
e. Family joining you - well, I'm not sure what your question is. Do you want to know what they'll need? They'll need visas. How will they get to Europe? Well flight I guess. Then again ships are always possible. Road! If they are staying for a short time they can take tourist schengen visas; if they are staying for a long time then they'll have to apply for long term visas depending on your residential status etc. You'll really have to be more specific with your question. Besides post Vlerick! That's way into the future.

Anyway all the best.
Regards,
Rahul