How to select specialization?

[madmichael]

Hi All,

I am a student of Pune university. we have to select a specialization in the second year. alternatives are marketing, HRM, Production & materials, finance. ppl say that one shd take a specialization according to one's liking and nature. I don't know what really interests me? how shd I find out?

[mindsmith]

i am not an mba guy. however, i felt like answering your question.

mike,
do you play games ? there are so many games... cricket, soccer, hockey, chess, carrom, etc... which one do you like and how did you find out that you like it ? isn't it by playing all those games and knowing which you enjoy the most. similarly, if u want to know which specialization you like, you should work on all of those for some time and find out which interests you...

[anuragxp]

Originally Posted by madmichael

Hi All,

I am a student of Pune university. we have to select a specialization in the second year. alternatives are marketing, HRM, Production & materials, finance. ppl say that one shd take a specialization according to one's liking and nature. I don't know what really interests me? how shd I find out?

Ok, let me help you out. First, tell us more about your academic background in detail. Answer the following questions honestly and you will get an idea of where you can make your career:

Do you have a liking for number crunching?
Do you like to work in teams or u like to work alone?
Do you find it easy to convince people to do what you want?
Do you have a creative mind?
Do you like travelling?
Do you find it easy to talk to strangers?

More questions later, if required.

Cheers!

[srikrishnan]

Originally Posted by anuragxp

Ok, let me help you out. First, tell us more about your academic background in detail. Answer the following questions honestly and you will get an idea of where you can make your career:

Do you have a liking for number crunching?
Do you like to work in teams or u like to work alone?
Do you find it easy to convince people to do what you want?
Do you have a creative mind?
Do you like travelling?
Do you find it easy to talk to strangers?

More questions later, if required.

Cheers!

1.I hate number crunching
2.I'd like to work alone(team aint at all a prob)
3.yes I find it easy to convince others to do what I want
4.Yes I do have a creative mind as long as it has nothing to do with Image Processing and the likes...
5.Dont mind travelling
6.Yes I am quite comfortable talking to strangers

What do you think I should go for???(By the by I havent yet got any GD/PI but i suppose no harm learning)

also what if the answers to the second and sixth questions carry opposite answers to what I've given and in that case what can be by specializtion.

[MSD]

Originally Posted by mindsmith

i am not an mba guy. however, i felt like answering your question.

mike,
do you play games ? there are so many games... cricket, soccer, hockey, chess, carrom, etc... which one do you like and how did you find out that you like it ? isn't it by playing all those games and knowing which you enjoy the most. similarly, if u want to know which specialization you like, you should work on all of those for some time and find out which interests you...

Ok, Ok, I'll jus translate this into a few practical pointers:

1. You will be having introductory subjects from all streams in your first year, and probably thus will have some idea of each stream before u need to select a stream. U will know what u can extend and apply practically and what u have a tough time even understanding...

2. Based on your prior workex or grad degree, you may have developed a liking/dislike.

2. Maybe your insti. may have some criteria for specialisation, for the hotly contested streams...like its possible that if a particlar stream has more applicants than seats, u r insti. may decide a filter...be aware of these criteria if any, ask u r seniors...

3. If u still feel u r indifferent choosing among streams...then U r insti will be known best for a particual stream, have the best profs, or maybe one stream has the best placements among all streams...to be on a safe side u may want to major in that stream then...

4. In case you have a Major/Minor spec. concept, u would do well to diversify risk and choose a gud minor spec....enquire with seniors that maybe some gud companies may place a preimum on majors spec. as opposed to minors spec....then take a decision...

5. If 1,2,3,4 above dont' work, use a random number generator function and decide...

[anuragxp]

Originally Posted by srikrishnan

1.I hate number crunching
2.I'd like to work alone(team aint at all a prob)
3.yes I find it easy to convince others to do what I want
4.Yes I do have a creative mind as long as it has nothing to do with Image Processing and the likes...
5.Dont mind travelling
6.Yes I am quite comfortable talking to strangers

What do you think I should go for???(By the by I havent yet got any GD/PI but i suppose no harm learning)

also what if the answers to the second and sixth questions carry opposite answers to what I've given and in that case what can be by specializtion.

You match a consultant's profile perfectly Take Finance and join a big consultancy firm. Alternately, if you have a tech. background, you can take Systems and go into IT Consulting/Domain Specialist/Business Analyst kind of job roles.

Enjoy!

[madmichael]

Hey folks,

Thanks a lot for the replies!
lemme introduce myself. I am a student of Sinhgad Institute of Management (Pune Univ.). I have 3 yrs work ex. in production & logistics and I did well when I was working. I am a BE (Polymer engg.).

The answers to the questions may be simple:
I am comfortable with number crunching.
I like to work alone but can adjust myself in a team also.
I haven't shown to have a creative mind and probably I don't have one.
I like travelling for recreation and once in a while. surely not for work!
I am not the type of person who will go and talk to strangers on his own unless the situation calls for.
I don't find it easy to convince others but would like everyone to do things my way.

please post further questions also as it would add to my clarity.

We at our inst. can select any specialization w/o any problem. no screening etc. marketing is the hottest and has max placements followed by finance. Operations follows them and HR and system follow the first three in terms of placements. we don't have a dual specialization.
I had Operations ( Production & Materials as it is called at our college) in mind since my work ex is in production and if I take mktg I would waste it.

Guys continue the discussions so that I would select the right specialization. I would also help others with this experience.

Thank you very much.

[iday]

Do you have a liking for number crunching? - YES
Do you like to work in teams or u like to work alone? - Either way is fine...
Do you find it easy to convince people to do what you want? - almost always!!!
Do you have a creative mind? - Yes i do.
Do you like travelling? - As a recreation. Not for work on a routine basis.
Do you find it easy to talk to strangers? - Yeah!!!

Now kindly lemme know where i fit in. I'm still only a B-school aspirant. But it might help me take a second look at things

thanks in advance...

Iday

[anuragxp]

Originally Posted by madmichael

I have 3 yrs work ex. in production & logistics and I did well when I was working. I am a BE (Polymer engg.).
.
.
please post further questions also as it would add to my clarity.

Based on your reply, and based on the theory of core competence , it appears that Operations suits you the best. But before we arrive at a conclusion, it would be better if u answer these questions also:

1) Why did you decide to go for MBA, were you frustrated with your existing job role or you just wanted to have better growth opportunities?

2) What do you want to become, what are your ambitions? Do you have any particular profile in mind? If yes, then will a MBA in Operations help you in getting there?

3) Having studied the basic subjects in the first year, have you developed a liking for any other specialization (Finance) or you still are passionate about operations?

Will post some more questions, if we are still not able to arrive at a conclusion.

[anuragxp]

Originally Posted by iday

Do you have a liking for number crunching? - YES
Do you like to work in teams or u like to work alone? - Either way is fine...
Do you find it easy to convince people to do what you want? - almost always!!!
Do you have a creative mind? - Yes i do.
Do you like travelling? - As a recreation. Not for work on a routine basis.
Do you find it easy to talk to strangers? - Yeah!!!

Now kindly lemme know where i fit in. I'm still only a B-school aspirant. But it might help me take a second look at things

thanks in advance...

Iday

Write more details please, we don't know your academic background, why do you want to do MBA (don't say "for money" ) your strong areas, your ambition etc. Most marketing jobs require you to travel extensively, so you may not like to take up a core marketing job...but you may go into Brand Management, Business Development (s/w co.s), Business Analysis, Consulting, Project Management etc..depends on what you can do / want to do.

ciao