[baccardisprite]

Originally Posted by Apurv

This is just breathtaking depth and breadth of research and information! Wonderful work .Could you also throw light on how one usually goes about raising funds for these courses?

Sorry for the delay in responding Apurv.

The programs I´ve described are not-necessarily cheaper than regular MBA courses, so one might subject to the same financial requirements and potentially constraints as in an MBA.

Some programs charge so-called Graduate School Tuition, typically cheaper than business school tuition though this is changing. However, when these are offered by technical departments of well known universities, they also tend to possess greater funds to award scholarships, GAs and TAs - not typically available to MBAs.

However, the flip-side is that if funds are not available in the school in question or if personal funds run short, co-signor free loans for quasi-technical programs are hard to come by, impossible in lower ranked universities.

The emphasis on academic ability is high in these programs, many require previous course work related to the subject and GRE scores tend to have to be very high. You can actually get into a good b-school with a 650 GMAT, but you´d struggle to get into a good technical program like the ones I´ve described in my previous post with a 650 GRE Quant score.

I estimate it is somewhat easier to get scholarship, GA or TA based financial assistance for these programs than for MBAs. Quasi-Technical programs also tend to have corporate sponsorship - example is the LFM program in MIT which offers 75% scholarships to all entrants. Engineering schools in MOST of the top universities will have corporate sponsors of various programs including the quasi-technical ones. It is therefore always best to view each "program´s or department´s financial assistance policy at the university´s website before making financial plans of one´s own.

Apologies if I can´t be more specific than this...

Cheerz

[baccardisprite]

Originally Posted by smarthead007

hi, this is one of the best articles ive read... just a question, if im planning for something in media- as in a production house (say warner bros, 20th cent fox, etc)... what would you suggest... please help me out, i dont wanna do an mba only to realise i shouldn't have.

Media is what I would call a highly experiential career! I´d suggest you get some experience in this field under your belt first. Aware this is a challenge, but ask around and get into careers that help develop the skill and personality for a career in media, mass com and entertainment - try event management or advertizing, even standard marketing jobs. Then a Masters program in Media / Mass Communications would be appropriate. A good example would be this one

MSc Global Media and Communications - Taught programmes - Graduate Prospectus - Graduate Admissions - LSE

MSc Media, Communication and Development - Taught programmes - Graduate Prospectus - Graduate Admissions - LSE - this one actually costs just a shade more than an MBA at ISB :-)

Hope that helps
Good luck

[brandmanager]

Hi Bacardi,

amazing thoughts on ur posts. Most also ackn that you are doing a great job in helping others

I would also seek your help to guide me to some program-which is not an MBA,obviously cost is an imp parameter.

I have experience in retail industry in domains like Retail Operations, Business Development and Now Marketing.

Have experience is Lifestyle retailing as well as Service Retailing. My total work ex as of now is close to 5.5 years and am currently designated as Marketing Manager in a a sTart up service retailing unit of fortune 10 MNC.

I want to venture deeper into the retail industry as it really excites me.Would you be in a position to suggest any courses,where there is a poossibility of scholarships..Be it Retail Ops or Marketing, my two areas of interest.

Would keenly await ur reply

thanks

Brand Manager

[baccardisprite]

Originally Posted by brandmanager

Hi Bacardi, amazing thoughts on ur posts. Most also ackn that you are doing a great job in helping others
I would also seek your help to guide me to some program-which is not an MBA,obviously cost is an imp parameter. I have experience in retail industry in domains like Retail Operations, Business Development and Now Marketing.
Have experience is Lifestyle retailing as well as Service Retailing. My total work ex as of now is close to 5.5 years and am currently designated as Marketing Manager in a a start up service retailing unit of fortune 10 MNC.
I want to venture deeper into the retail industry as it really excites me.Would you be in a position to suggest any courses,where there is a poossibility of scholarships..Be it Retail Ops or Marketing, my two areas of interest. Would keenly await ur reply. thanks. Brand Manager

If you're working with one of the Fortune 10 JVs in India, you are giving yourself a unique experience. The retail industry is growing fast enough to double in size over the next 5-6 years, to about $800-900B (3 time current Wal*Mart) in 2015 (different studies indicate different numbers, but all comparably big). Big number, big ambitions for the retail industry and big opportunities you always want to be tuned into.

I would strongly recommend for you to give youself the opportunity to stay on the bus while looking for opportunities to upskill & educate yourself further. I believe programs forcussed on retail management have developed into fairly functional and silo-based programs, and have not yet evolved into truly influential programs that marry the best of value-chain (demand & supply) into business strategy. These still seem to be niche programs offered by niche and less-well-known universities. As I have always maintained, the value of a techo-managerial program is enhanced by the class of the university running it.

Due to the situation in retail (as I see it), that means guys like you are gaining and (for a few years more) will continue to gain top class operational and retail supply chain experience on-the-job, the learnings from which need to be surrounded by strong skills and education in areas like marketing, finance and strategy. This is not too bad, because Indian retail will not grow the way it classically did in the west (or even in China) given our democracy, infrastructure and of course our beloved mon-and-pop shops; it does provide & develop skills that new entrants to this market will value tremendously, enhancing your prospects... In your case, given the above and your passion for the industry, I would not recommend leaving now for a full time program.

Instead, look for a well known Executive Modular or Distance based (with some contact hours) Quantitative Master's Program in Finance and Strategy or an MBA with a strong set of electives in Finance and Strategy, that allows you to study, work and apply your learning to your work. I would look at MSc Finance (major: Economic Policy) - University of London - School of Oriental and African Studies - External System - Key points. This is a proper, genuine, and globally recognized University of London degree you can complete in 2.5 years at a cost of <9-10L in this period, while earning; of course with the strong support of the local British Council, which can become both a study resource as well as an exam centre.

For distance learning MBAs - look no further than Henley Business School (University of Reading) or Warwick Business School or Manchester Business School Worldwide Manchester Business School Worldwide. All of these programs deliver genuine degrees, recognized globally. I see you're based in Chennai, so you should be able to apply to these universities and do the program with the support of the local British Council. While technical advances and faster-broadband internet have enabled many Indian and Global universities to deliver distance education, the British Universities are probably the most professionally oriented advanced in the world at delivering distance education. These programs will require some face-time with your classmates, either at the school or at designated centres around the world. These degrees will cost you between 12-15L over 3 years, which if you're earning should be no issues for you.

Good luck
Baccardisprite

[thakku]

I am a Sloan Fellowship Admit of London Business School for the course starting Aug 2009. Now in the short list of IIM-A PGPX course.
Would be grateful if you can give a comparison between the two.
My profile B.Tech+MBA(pt) with 15 years of experience in wide cross section of Industries predominantly in Manufacturing and General Management

[baccardisprite]

Originally Posted by thakku

I am a Sloan Fellowship Admit of London Business School for the course starting Aug 2009. Now in the short list of IIM-A PGPX course. Would be grateful if you can give a comparison between the two.
My profile B.Tech+MBA(pt) with 15 years of experience in wide cross section of Industries predominantly in Manufacturing and General Management

What do want to do after the Sloan / PGPX and where would you like to work (geography)? Impossible for me to advise otherwise. They're both strong for differing reasons.

Good luck

[thakku]

Dear baccardisprite,
Thanx for your speedy reply.
After my studies I prefer to work as the profit centre head for some MNC in manufacturing sector ,preferably in Food processing/Agro Processing in India.
Presently I am heading a medium scale industry in Agro Processing and leaving my job for higher studues.

[baccardisprite]

Originally Posted by thakku

Dear baccardisprite, Thanx for your speedy reply.
After my studies I prefer to work as the profit centre head for some MNC in manufacturing sector ,preferably in Food processing/Agro Processing in India. Presently I am heading a medium scale industry in Agro Processing and leaving my job for higher studues.

If India's where you'll resume your career, PGPX is a preferable option.

[g_nikhil7]

hi,
this is a very informative thread .... i wanted to ask you about a section where you wrote about freshers just out of college not sure about what they want to do in life .... well, i am one of them and would be grateful if u could help me out
i am currently in my final year doing my bachelors in business (3 yr course) ... In the long run around 4-5 yrs from now i am looking forward to become an entrepreneur and setting up my own business probably a manufacturing concern or somethin (not yet decided)
i wanted to go for MBA in finance in a top university abroad and then work for 1-2 years to gain industry exposure. But as far as i have heard one needs atleast 2-3 yrs of work experience to apply for an MBA abroad. Please tell me if there are any good universities accepting freshers with good scores for an MBA? if i get a very good score in GMAT, is there any chance of getting into a good b-school?
i have often heard that nothing can replace an MBA .... but i dont think it is true... What are the other alternative courses i could opt for considering my future goals
(maybe in finance field , manufacturing)? and what are the job prospects after finishing the course ?
further more i have heard that US is the best for further education esp for MBA or finance... please advice which countries should i target ?

[baccardisprite]

Originally Posted by g_nikhil7

hi, this is a very informative thread .... i wanted to ask you about a section where you wrote about freshers just out of college not sure about what they want to do in life .... well, i am one of them and would be grateful if u could help me out. i am currently in my final year doing my bachelors in business (3 yr course) ... In the long run around 4-5 yrs from now i am looking forward to become an entrepreneur and setting up my own business probably a manufacturing concern or somethin (not yet decided). i wanted to go for MBA in finance in a top university abroad and then work for 1-2 years to gain industry exposure. But as far as i have heard one needs atleast 2-3 yrs of work experience to apply for an MBA abroad. Please tell me if there are any good universities accepting freshers with good scores for an MBA? if i get a very good score in GMAT, is there any chance of getting into a good b-school? i have often heard that nothing can replace an MBA .... but i dont think it is true... What are the other alternative courses i could opt for considering my future goals. (maybe in finance field , manufacturing)? and what are the job prospects after finishing the course? further more i have heard that US is the best for further education esp for MBA or finance... please advice which countries should i target ?

- If you're thinking about an MBA straight out of college, give the CAT, and do it in India.

- If you want to go for an MBA abroad, but right out of college - you will NOT get into a top or reknowned program even with a good GMAT; because the MBA is by global concept post-experience education that turns technocrats into business managers / leaders! That concept has been twisted in India, which is an entirely different discussion. All I know is, it doesn't work outside India!

- The "nothing-can-replace-an-MBA" is just ****! I have an MBA, yet know a lot of smart(er) and successful colleagues / friends who don't. Always remember that education doesn't make you a better professional, it merely helps you upskill towards becoming a better one - a tool for a job, a means to an end!!!

- If you want to become an entrepreneur in the field of manufacturing, you need (over the next 5-6 years) experience and education towards that end. Since this is manufacturing - try getting a job (no matter the pay) in a small to medium, but entrepreneur owned manufacturing company!! Use your parent's / family connections if these are available / possible.

- Work for 4-5 years, learn the ropes - while educating yourself in finance through a distance learning M.Sc in Finance or ACMA or ICWA or similar. After 5 years - go for a proper and true-blue top MBA. Then work in a corporate environment for 3-4 years and then look to start your own business. You can actually use this period to judge whether entrepreneurship is really something you have passion for.

- Unless you're tremendously rich or tremendously lucky - you'll need about 8-10 years of hard work before being professionally, and financially capable of starting your own business.

Good luck