Free MBA profile evaluation
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Re: Free MBA profile evaluation
Post by shantaram » April 20th, 2012, 1:09 am
Although I have known about MBA Crystal Ball for long, this is the first time I am visiting the sight and I am hooked!
Getting down to business, I have been thinking about an MBA for quite sometime and am in the process of collecting information. Keen to know what your comments are on the profile.
Age : 24
Qualifications :
X : 89%
XII : 79%
Under-grad : Bachelor of Technology (Mechanical), CGPA : 6.2/10 (2006-2010)
Six Sigma Green Belt
GMAT score : Yet to give. Practice scores between 680-710.
Work Experience :
Partner at an ISO certified firm dealing in the assembly and supply of Electrical, Mechanical and other allied equipment to the Government of India (Clients: Indian Navy, CPWD, IOCL, FCI etc.). Annual Turnover of >USD 1 million.
In charge of personnel management and mobilization of resources for on-site function, responsible for supervision of projects, scouting and procurement of new projects.
Role : Partner since 2005.
Some important points :
National level quiz and debate competition winner in school.
Founder of Robotics club, responsible for introduction of SAE chapter, organiser and participant in college festivals in various capacities.
One of the founding members of the now defunct Bharat Young group, actively involved in spreading political awareness in rural areas, and active participant in GAP, theatre group.
Started 2 new business centres for my firm in Bangalore (2006) and Chennai (2009)
Annual turnover increased by 25% in the period of 2009-2011.
Started undertaking projects in new areas like Orissa, Pondicherry etc since 2010.
Amateur photographer.
Avid enthusiast of the automobile industry and regulary invited by local social groups to give talks on automobiles, industry trends etc.
Reason for MBA :
I realised my learning curve is flattening and planned on starting a new venture (manufacturing sector) but realised how China could play spoilsport in my Business plan (after a detailed study of almost 8 months!!). It was then that I started paying attention to various concepts like globalization and its effects,current economic conditions etc and started looking for ideas, interfaced with people from the corporate sector.I then realised the extent of progress that can be made in MSME's (medium and small scale enterprises) by borrowing management ideas from the more organised and efficient corporates.Hence, the need for a MBA and a corporate job experience cropped up.
Career Goals :
Short term : Complete MBA. Work in a consulting role (as this would give me relatively wider exposure to various industries/cases). (6-8 years)
Long term : Network with entrepreneurs. Set up venture(s). Help other MSME's by providing consultation services through a trained consultancy team. Train next-gen entrepreneurs and make them aware of various grass root level problems and their solutions (in Indian context).
Specific queries :
1) Considering my age, should I be going for a Master's program or a MBA? Average age at many FT ranked schools hovers above the 26-27 mark for the MBA program and 23-25 mark for the Master's. So what do I chose?
2) 'If you want to work in India, then study in India.' There is no telling to the number of times I have heard to this line before and I agree with it. But I still feel its important to get some international exposure too. To take a look at how manufacturing works in China, or how start-ups work in Sillicon Valley, a tourist visa just won't do. I want an international degree with an Indian connection! How much more confusing can it get?!
I would be very thankful if you could give me suitable advice on how to spruce up my profile, what kind of schools to look at and a time frame for doing all this.
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Re: Free MBA profile evaluation
Post by MBACrystalBall » April 20th, 2012, 10:40 am
//Kudos, amazing site and lot of interesting stuff! Found answers to most of the questions I had in your site…You got a real crystal ball
Thank you saar!
//Had been wondering for quite some time now on whether MBA is my cup of tea and thought will check with you before I go any further.
I'm no connoisseur of tea varieties, but I can say for sure that the MBA would be the most expensive tea you'll ever have in your life.
// Age : 31
Industry : IT (Project Management, Coordination, Customer Handling, Solution Consulting and s/w development) in one of the top Indian IT company
Total Experience - 9 Years as of now
GMAT: Planning to take in another 3 to 4 months targeting 700 +
Way to go, bro...let's give those kiddos some real competition!
// I am in to Project Coordination and solution consulting in my current role and want to move in to IT Business Development.
That would sound like a logical transition plan for most IT engineers IF you have the aptitude and inclination for selling. Let me explain why I say that.
I completed an MBA MAP y'day where the candidate had tried his hand at some business development work along with his regular project management responsibilities...and he hated it. So look beyond where the MBA can get you. Ask yourself if that is really where you want to be.
//Like every other person, I would like to start my own IT company in a couple of years time post MBA which will employ recent mothers and people who prefer work life balance (Haven’t come up with a business plan or model yet).
Nice thought. I value my work-life balance too and left the corporate world for that primary reason. So I'm sure you'll have takers for your venture. Business development skills will help you in your long-term goals.
Word of caution here. If all you have is an idea, there's nothing for you to defend if I start grilling you on this gameplan.
//I am planning for a 1 year MBA in India and drooling over XLRI ,IIM (A,B,C) and ISB, will apply in 2013.
Hold the drool back. Always good to appear cool, composed and in control even if you desperately want something.
Considering 1 year programs have been around for ages outside India, no international options? Good to balance it out.
//Looking at my profile can you let me know what needs improvement and what should be highlighted when I apply for a B School?
In simple terms, you'd need to convey to Adcoms why a business development role suits your personality. For the schools you have in mind, a high GMAT score becomes almost a necessity. You'll also have to highlight why your 9 years of work-ex are superior to hundreds of those who come in with similar profiles (I couldn't find the answer in what you've shared, but I'm sure you have cards up your sleeve that can't be shared publicly).
Hope that helps.
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Re: Free MBA profile evaluation
Post by arifahmedk » April 21st, 2012, 6:54 pm
You are doing a great job!
I was going through the various posts on this website and wanted to have my profile evaluated.
Not dragging the topic further,wanted some questions answered:
1. I am 37 years old and have been working in the Hospitality and the Tourism Industry for the past 11 years, now seek to advance my career through a management program, considering the baggage of work experience, I am looking at EMBA options but this course looks good as well,what do you think would it help me in transforming and furthering my career?I am too late to do an MBA?
2. Would it be possible to change the industry altogather?
3. Would appear for GMAT and targeting a score of 700+?
4. How rigorous are the admissions process at major universities?
5. I am a commerce graduate and the academics are as below-
XI - 85%
ICSE (XII) - 74%
B.Com. - 47%
6. Finally If MBA does not hold good for me what best you can suggest?
Sorry for asking a whole lot of questions and would appreciate a reply from you.
Thanking you for being considerate.
Best,
Arif
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Re: Free MBA profile evaluation
Post by MBACrystalBall » April 21st, 2012, 11:19 pm
//Great work going on here! An amazing site and a real treasure trove for information. Although I have known about MBA Crystal Ball for long, this is the first time I am visiting the sight and I am hooked!
Happy to hear that, sir. Stick around and share some of your real world business insights with the rest of the guys.
//Age : 24
Under-grad : Bachelor of Technology (Mechanical), CGPA : 6.2/10 (2006-2010)
GMAT score : Yet to give. Practice scores between 680-710.
Work Experience :
Partner at an ISO certified firm dealing in the assembly and supply of Electrical, Mechanical and other allied equipment to the Government of India. Annual Turnover of >USD 1 million.
If my mental calculator hasn't gone completely crazy, it is telling me that you've been Partner in this business since your teenage days. hmmm...impressive enough to make your competitors go - 'Damn these super-achiever types']
//Short term : Complete MBA. Work in a consulting role (as this would give me relatively wider exposure to various industries/cases). (6-8 years)
Not sure if it's just me, or if Adcoms will also have this query.
Why would anyone leave a stake in a million dollar business to slog it out for another employer who'll make you run from pillar-to-post in return for a fraction of the compensation?
Are the experience related takeaways SO great that you are willing to trade it for the multi-millions you can make if you go back to your original business?
Just need to add some more logic to this story, buddy.
//1) Considering my age, should I be going for a Master's program or a MBA? Average age at many FT ranked schools hovers above the 26-27 mark for the MBA program and 23-25 mark for the Master's. So what do I chose?
If a top MBA is on your mind, rather than going for another Masters program (just to tackle the age factor), I'd recommend waiting for the right break. Don't go down the some-random-Masters now just to fly off to the US and then an MBA 3-4 years down the road. Too convoluted and just not worth it.
//2) 'If you want to work in India, then study in India.' There is no telling to the number of times I have heard to this line before and I agree with it.
I don't agree with it, though. You could still get the best degree from the best universtity you can get into (wherever it is in the world) and get back to India to do some serious collateral damage (in a nice way of course).
//I want an international degree with an Indian connection! How much more confusing can it get?!
I'd recommend something slightly different. Get a GREAT education, even if it doesn't have an Indian connection. You can establish whatever connections you want after getting back to India.
//I would be very thankful if you could give me suitable advice on how to spruce up my profile, what kind of schools to look at and a time frame for doing all this.
See if you can go higher than the current GMAT range you are stuck in. Younger guys tend to score higher. So you don't want to sound apologetic in your applications about why you are strong in the work-ex department, but it wasn't your day at the GMAT test center.
Apply to a few top schools (Harvard, Stanford) if you can afford their fee structure. Now is when you'll have the best shot there. Add a few more top-10 bschools to the list. If things don't work out, you can always aim for others where you have a better chance.
Go aggressive this year. Bindaas!
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Re: Free MBA profile evaluation
Post by shantaram » April 22nd, 2012, 1:28 am
1) Build a better background story. So that adcoms will appreciate the reason behind my application.
2) Better GMAT score.Higher I go, better.
3)Right age,right time to apply to top 10 schools.
4) Should not worry about connections and get the best possible education that I can afford.
Will definitely work on this.
Also, let me thank you once again. Keep up with the wonderful work you are doing around here.
Re: Free MBA profile evaluation
Post by asi@infy » April 23rd, 2012, 6:31 pm
Hope you are well. Here are my details:
Qualifications:
10th - 82.6% CBSE
12th - 80.8% CBSE
B.tech from UP Technical University, 71.5% (5th in a class of 150 or top 10 percentile of university)
GMAT Score - Not taken yet
Work Experience - IT (Infosys), System Engineer, 2yrs
Major Achievements - Handling a team of 7 people at work. Won the Most Valuable Player award at work.
Career Goals: To build a career in marketing
I have not GMAT as of yet.
I am looking for an entry in 2014. In the next two years i can either:
OPTION 1: Pursue my career at Infosys, hopefully earn a promotion and lead a bigger team and have a cumulative experience of 4 yrs in IT only
OPTION 2: Accept an offer from Teach For India, spend two years there, diversify my work experience, take my GMAT during these two years and work on my applications.
I understand i will need a very high GMAT score. I wanted to get your thoughts, assuming for a moment i indeed get a top 2 percentile overall GMAT score on what would be a better option ( option 1 vs option 2 above) that will push the envelope for a top 10 US b-school entry.
Thanks.
ph: [personal details edited out by moderator]
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Re: Free MBA profile evaluation
Post by MBACrystalBall » April 23rd, 2012, 8:44 pm
//Not dragging the topic further,wanted some questions answered:
1. I am 37 years old ...I am looking at EMBA options but this course, what do you think would it help me in transforming and furthering my career?I am too late to do an MBA?
The extent of 'transformation' that you are looking for should address the Executive MBA vs Full-time MBA choice. An Executive MBA can't match the capabilities of its Full-time cousin.
Most Full-time 2-year MBA programs would probably close the door for you. Some of the competitive 1-year programs might consider your application if you give them a strong rationale for the 'Why MBA? Why now?' queries
//2. Would it be possible to change the industry altogather?
If you are planning to change industries, but retain your role, then sure. But if you are looking for a change of industry and role, then it's going to be tougher.
//3. Would appear for GMAT and targeting a score of 700+?
Missed out the question here? If you meant to ask, would a high GMAT score help. Yes, it would. It's been a long time since you last sat in a class. So the high GMAT score will tell Admission officers that you are still good to go back to class.
//4. How rigorous are the admissions process at major universities?
Short answer. Very rigorous
//5. I am a commerce graduate and the academics are as below-
I'm assuming that's a statement rather than a question.
//6. Finally If MBA does not hold good for me what best you can suggest?
This is addressed in a fair amount of detail in Beyond The MBA Hype. Read it before you jump into the MBA application frenzy.
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Re: Free MBA profile evaluation
Post by ankurmgr » April 24th, 2012, 12:00 pm
//I am aiming to get into this year ISB's program.
Academics:
1)GMAT 740(q50, v40, AWA- 6.0)
2)graduated from Dr. M.G.R University, Chennai- CGPA-9.6, first class with honors
:
Work Ex:
Excellent work, buddy! I like your profile.
//Sameer, the issue is that i have just 2+ years of experience and by the time i get into the program, i will have earned 3 years of experience. What are the areas I need to work on. Please suggest
I think you've answered that yourself. Adding a year or two will only make your profile better, assuming you continue the good track record you've got so far. The rest of the profile is pretty well-balanced.
Aren't you looking at international schools? If you apply to the right schools, you might get a substantial scholarship and a great education.
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Re: Free MBA profile evaluation
Post by arifahmedk » April 24th, 2012, 1:59 pm
Well disheartened to hear that I may not be able to do a two year full time program,what good schools can you suggest in India and abroad.Well, I wanted to apply to IIFT,SP Jain and had NUS on my radar, would they be useful in my case.
You don't have to be disheartened. If you feel strongly about a few 2-year programs, go ahead and apply. Just don't end up having a huge proportion of such programs.
Even if a school where you don't fit in accepts you, your 2 years may not be very enjoyable. So be careful what you wish for.
In India, the 'closest match' is IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) PGPX. With ISB you'd face the same problem that you'd have with US based 2-year programs.
Considering my industry what other industries can I get in where I get to apply my skills?
Your original post only mentions that you've been working in the Hospitality and the Tourism Industry for 11 years and nothing about the specific role there (operations, finance, accounts, HR etc).
[Btw, I still have an open question of why the experience isn't in sync with the age, but we'll save that for another time and place].
If your role (say finance) is transferrable across industries e.g. Finance in Media, Finance in manufacturing etc, then your jump across industries would be easier.