I want to pursue a career in M&A.;Here is what i thought of, please let me know if this will work out or else your advice.I am planning to appear for PSBs now( to change my sector and also to get a basic knowledge of the financial sector).
You are making it too complicated for yourself, Saurav. - A PSB stint won't open up M&A; opportunities for you. - Having an Indian MBA and two job changes and a second international MBA is also adding too much uncertainty.
Either make the switch into the role you want right now and continue. Or go for an MBA and try to switch on graduation.
Assume that you'll just get one shot to switch and make the best of it.
I would like to have an advice from you regarding my applications to some B- schools. I applied to Virginia Darden, CMU Tepper and Rotman (Toronto) more than a month back .. In some cases even 6-8 weeks ... I would like to know .. whether I shall approach them myself or wait out this period of uncertainity because there is complete radio silence right now..\
They must've mentioned about the decision dates on their website, right? If not, then a polite note to the admissions office asking them about the expected timeline should be fine.
Also, Can you please let me know of prospects of Investment banking OR corporate finance IF I pursue my MBA from Sauder school of Business, University fo British Columbia
The region itself isn't exactly the hot-bed for I-banking jobs. So your pre-MBA experience and your skills will matter more when you start knocking on Ibank doors.
What have you give thrice, sir? CAT, GMAT, Indian Idol auditions? Pleejh clarify.You are making it too complicated for yourself, Saurav. - A PSB stint won't open up M&A; opportunities for you. - Having an Indian MBA and two job changes and a second international MBA is also adding too much uncertainty.Either make the switch into the role you want right now and continue. Or go for an MBA and try to switch on graduation.Assume that you'll just get one shot to switch and make the best of it.- Sameer KamatAuthor | Beyond The...something something
Thanks sir for your advice...
On the number of attempts..yes i should have clarified...have given cat thrice....will be goinh for it again...and will also be giving gmat now....
The question i wanted to ask was : does having few.years of experience in IT sector deter my chances.of getting into the financial sector post graduation??
On the pleasantries part .. I am a bit classical and I would prefer to stay the same.. :D
So again.. hope you are doing well!!
I just have One more question.. I currently have two options .. One go for an Indian MBA from a tier 2 institution (IMT Ghaziabad or IMI delhi) .. work for 3-4 years in corporate banking and then leverage all this profile to get One year executive MBA from top 5 B school (to get a Front end I-banking job profile)... (total 5-6 years work experience before Ex-MBA)
Another option is to wait out in IT sector for 2 more years(which is a back end R & D job).. then go for a top 15 b-school in USA or Europe...
One more thing I would like to add My long terms goals are Big, and a top class MBA is the only thing that can appreciate the gravity of situation.
I would like to have your suggestion on how to approach these options.
The question i wanted to ask was : does having few.years of experience in IT sector deter my chances.of getting into the financial sector post graduation??Thanks
Depends on the role you'd be targetting after your MBA.
If it is aligned with what you have been doing (e.g. Financial Technology) and you want to stay in the Financial Services industry, but in a front office role, then you have a slight advantage over IT guys who never had any exposure to the finance side.
@MartianOnEarth I just have One more question.. I currently have two options .. One go for an Indian MBA from a tier 2 institution (IMT Ghaziabad or IMI delhi) .. work for 3-4 years in corporate banking and then leverage all this profile to get One year executive MBA from top 5 B school (to get a Front end I-banking job profile)...(total 5-6 years work experience before Ex-MBA)
I don't like the double MBA approach. I think it has too much redundant stuff built into it. Double the time, money and effort to get to your goal.
Another option is to wait out in IT sector for 2 more years(which is a back end R & D job).. then go for a top 15 b-school in USA or Europe... One more thing I would like to add My long terms goals are Big, and a top class MBA is the only thing that can appreciate the gravity of situation.
If your goals are big, then that's more reason to target the right school once and get to the other side. If there are too many stepping stones, it's confusing for everyone involved:
- the international school needs an additional justification of why you want a second MBA - the recruiter wants to know what you did between the two MBAs (and before) - at some point in time along the loooong journey, you might end up getting burnt out. You would want to know where you are coming from and where you are going.
Avoid the multiple hops, if you can.
- Sameer
Small update: 'Beyond The MBA Hype' has been Sold Out on Flipkart. Thank you everyone for making it a success !
How should an Indian IT(IIT) applicant approach the application process for US schools. There are hordes of other applicants from similar background with not-so-different experiences.
Congrats on the success of your book .How should I order a copy now?
SAmeer i am totally in a fix now. I am working in core sector electrical maintenance for 3 and 1/2 yrs. Wrote CAT only twice in 2011 and 12. in 2011 i got 97.8 and final convert in IIM raipur and XIMB. could not join due to some personal reasons. 2012 was not great. Also not much future in present job and job market is dry for core. Also i am completing 27 yr in may. I have a question should age be a hindrance for me in summers and finals do i try for 2 yr MBA in india for 2014-16 batch. Also keeping in view the same should i go for Executive MBAs from IIM, XLRI for 2015. plz show me some light. I really want to get ahead in my career as the present job is monotonous and lack challenges. pls
Its likely that you have already been asked this question.
But here goes... I am an engg (mech) with an MBA from Nirma. Pre+Post MBA work-ex of approx. 4 years across B2B, B2C Sales and Marketing and the past 1.5 years in Business Analytics. I plan to do a second MBA from a US university with the course structured around electives focused on Marketing analytics and am also planning to take up some electives on Social enterprise. These 2 are the primary domains that i plan to build a career on. Long term plan is to work in the US for some time and come back to India after that to open a NGO of my own. As doing an MBA from abroad would be a huge investment, its obvious that it will make sense only if i do it from a top 25 institute in the US.
So considering all this, would my present MBA degree be a big hurdle if I have to get admission to one of the top 2-year programs in the US..? I have already taken GMAT and have got a score of 710... and I was planning to start applying in the first round starting this August.. Please let me know if it is a good move to make considering my goals...?
Hi Sameer @MartianOnEarth ,How should an Indian IT(IIT) applicant approach the application process for US schools.There are hordes of other applicants from similar background with not-so-different experiences.
The basic process doesn't change. Guys from non-IT background also face the same challenge.
That's why you need to go beyond purely highlighting your 9-to-5 accomplishments. Dip into your personal life and bring out elements that other candidates will not be able to talk about.
Congrats on the success of your book .How should I order a copy now?Thanks!!
Thanks. Some of the book stores (Landmark, Crossword etc) might have a few copies left. if not, the next edition should be out in a few weeks. Flipkart is taking advance orders till then.
As doing an MBA from abroad would be a huge investment, its obvious that it will make sense only if i do it from a top 25 institute in the US.
On the contrary, in your case it might make sense to be a little more flexible with the school list as you are planning to open an NGO. With the debt of a top-school that might become difficult.
I have already taken GMAT and have got a score of 710... and I was planning to start applying in the first round starting this August.. Please let me know if it is a good move to make considering my goals...?
Repeating the primary message from 'Beyond The MBA Hype', if you keep your expectations at a moderate level and target the right programs, it will be a good move.
Hello Sameer Sir, Hope you are doing good. I got an admit to CUHK Business School and am planning to join the same next year 2014 (deferred). I am right now in US and am planning to gather some money till next year and invest the same in the my education next year (which is the main reason I had deferred my admissions).
Before going there and considering it's in Hong Kong, what do you suggest me to do as pre MBA course work which I can utilize post my MBA, as I am aiming to stay in South East Asia post MBA ( not necessarily though).
Hello Sameer Sir, Hope you are doing good. I got an admit to CUHK Business School and am planning to join the same next year 2014 (deferred). I am right now in US and am planning to gather some money till next year and invest the same in the my education next year (which is the main reason I had deferred my admissions).Before going there and considering it's in Hong Kong, what do you suggest me to do as pre MBA course work which I can utilize post my MBA, as I am aiming to stay in South East Asia post MBA ( not necessarily though).Let me know your pointers. Thanks in advance. 😃
More than the course work, what will help you more are the contacts that you build in HK. As it's a new region for you, it'll be good if you can start the process early.
On a related note, wondering if you'd be interested in sharing your application story on the MBA Crystal Ball site. We don't have anything on CUHK yet.
More than the course work, what will help you more are the contacts that you build in HK. As it's a new region for you, it'll be good if you can start the process early.
On a related note, wondering if you'd be interested in sharing your application story on the MBA Crystal Ball site. We don't have anything on CUHK yet.
Sure...i would love to do that ..Please share with me the related links...My email ID [email protected].That's true.....I would build some contacts in HK and the "jugad" process has already started :). Taking into account I would have to learn Mandarin to get adjusted to the Business culture as most people do Business with China, I am planning to start it in may be a month or two.
I have some confusions regarding future prospects after IT. It will be great if you can tell me, what kind of Job profiles are offered to those who are interested in MBA - Corporate finance and are doing CFA certifications (Read Ghost13 😛 :)). Which companies will be willin to hire someone who will have this profile.
I am looking to do MBA from any destination(preferably USA and Singapore) which will have attractive ROI and great Job Prospects. However recenly Canada and Australia are also coming up.
Whats your take. If I have to be in India it will be ISB. Out of all these countries which one has better job prospects for IT Engineer like me. Moreover I was thinking of MBA less than 2yrs, but I guess that will be bit hard regarding my profile.
Work Ex: 4yrs in 2014(yr I am planing to go fr MBA)
GMAT : 700
Acads: 75% Avg
Extra CC: Above Avg
P.S: Sometimes I wonder, U must be getting bored from typical "IT Engineer" queries. 😛
But I really appreciate your effort and way to tackle queries!! Great Going Man!!!
BTW Ill let you in on a secret, I am also trying to retire from Corporate life before 40!
Hi Sameer, I'm a Civil Engineer with a PGP in Advanced Construction Management looking to pursue MBA in 2015 preferably in the US. My Post MBA goal is to get into Real Estate Consulting. From all the read up I've done most Bschools have their own Real Estate Post graduate programs. How are these programs different from a conventional MBA?If I am still unsure about Real Estate consulting is it alright to join a MBA program and see how it goes?Please advice.Thanks !
Hi Sameer, I just ordered your book. Hoping to find answers to all my questions with that.
My career ambition is to start a company after 35 before which I would like to get as much experience and yes, money of course, as possible. I want to do an MBA in the appropriate time.
I'm currently working in Amazon for an year now in a technical role. As such, the career path is all too technical. I'm caught in a dilemma whether to move up the technical ladder or to quit the company and join a more management-oriented designation in one of the Big 4's. As everyone say, I need atleast 3+ work-ex for to have good profile for MBA. What do I do ? I also have a dilemma on whether to choose MBA in India or MBA abroad. Kindly advise.
- Have received scholarships and medals in school. Have a state government scholarship. Was in dean's list in college for all the 4 years (top 10%). Have won 2 inter college debates and drama competitions.
- Won harbinger award in TCS. Got several appreciation from clients and ISU head. Have worked on some big successful RFP's. Worked with around 15 clients to help them improve and increase the test automation in their projects.
- ISTQB certified software tester. Business consulting certification from TCS Domain academy. Published a research paper at work.
- Member of the Toastmasters Club at office. Served as Secretary and Vice President PR for the club. A TMI certified Competent communicator. Currently pursuing Advanced communicators bronze and Competent leader program. Editor for the club magazine for an year. Won prize in club's humorous speech contest.
I am interested in an MBA program which is strong in technology management in the US, Europe. My experience is on the lower side. Will it be better to go for MIS program in colleges like Mays, Kelley, Cincinnati, SUNY, Arizona ?
Check for MBA in a college where they don't look for higher for work like SUNY buffalo or Pittsburgh (KATZ) ?
Which will be a better decision ? Will write GMAT by March. Expecting around 700 score.
I have been considering the HKU MBA and was reading its essay prompt.. a bit confused could you help? Here is how it goes:
Please provide below a statement explaining why you are interested in doing this programme, why you are suitable for it and the value of the MBA programme to your future career. Here's how i interpret this:
1. Please provide below a statement explaining why you are interested in doing this programme i.e. Why HKU MBA
2. value of the MBA programme to your future career. ie. why MBA .. and now the dilemma..
3. why you are suitable for it.. does this mean why MBA now or what value would I add to the HKU class?
approach the application process for US schools.