Post
by sunil » February 19th, 2013, 11:06 pm
Hi Sameer,
I follow your online posts on MBA. I find them very useful. Thanks a lot for your inputs. Please provide your opinion on my analysis of my career so far, my future goals and the MBA option.
2005 in electrical and electronic engineering with a consistent above 75% percentage in all semesters and overall 79.2%.
GMAT – 2nd attempt 740 (Q 50, V 41) IR- 3/8, 3rd Attempt 730 (Q 49, V 40) IR- 7/8
COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, Programmer Analyst — 1.5 years (2005 – 2007).
Had the opportunity of transferring two modules of a newly acquired project dealing directly with client SMEs of a healthcare client, Pacific Health Services. I was the owner of these two modules during my stay.
PAVANI GANGA, designation COO — 3 years.
I studied the behavioral aspects of delivery teams and based on it introduced an incentive scheme based on customer acquisition and customer retention. This helped double customer base in 1 year.
I partnered with my delivery teams to transfer the financial risk associated with distribution, as the business climate soared pushing margins to the rock bottom. This decision stabilized our business but the government inaction on policy front offored little scope for further expansion. So I left Pavani Ganga to my father and joined Vizag Steel in a managerial position.
VIZAG STEEL, A Government of India Undertaking (PSU), awarded Navratna. designation– Junior Manager. 2010 jan – till date (3 years)
As a project Manager
Commissioned an overhead crane worth $600,000. I lead 3 teams representing ABB, Contractor and Vizag steel, a total of 15 members. In spite of unexpected delays in supply logistics and issues in execution, I completed the project under non-negotiable deadlines.
As an Internal consultant.
Studied the condition of a fleet of 31 locomotives. In spite of issues with the archived data on the equipment, I pooled data from various sources. Devised criteria for evaluating the condition. Classified the locomotives based on useful life left and gave my recommendations for overhauling 5 locomotives at the cost of $1.2 million. My recommendations are implemented resulting in a 25% increase in the productive life of logistics equipment.
Worked with consultants from General Electric and Dastur & Co. Identified the drawbacks in the design of advanced equipment supplied by General Electric. Proposed changes and perused the issue with senior management to implement them. This helped customize the GE equipment to the specific needs of Vizag Steel logistics.
I will be promoted as Assistant Manager in 4 months.
Extra-Curricular
President of Eelectrical Engineering Students Association during college. Organized many cultural activities and industry visits.
Lead a team of 6 on an election campaign educating people on the need to vote in right candidates.
Collected funds for victims during 2009 floods. I mobilized people, prepared the campaign material, collected and deposited the money to PM relief fund.
Provided low cost housing to employees of Pavani Ganga, to best align our social responsibility with needs of business.
Won few prizes in dance and extempore competition at inter-college level.
Won best performer award for the year 2011 in logistics department.
Won contest for managers on the topic “innovation across value chain a mantra for growth”
So far, I have been very satisfied with my career. I had the opportunity to experiment in Entrepreneurship which tested my ability to get to the bottom of cross-functional business problems, devise and implement solutions. I had many challenging experiences in Vizag Steel. All of them challenged my abilities, tested my EQ and brought the best out of me. However, given that Vizag Steel is a government firm, the vertical mobility is time bound apart from many extraneous considerations and the horizontal mobility across functions is almost nil for the next 15 years. Moreover after the expansion projects are all commissioned and stabilized, the learning curve will straighten. Having had the privilege of working in roles only 15-years experienced people get in Vizag Steel, I want to take up more challenging and rewarding roles in general management. Preferably higher management roles which provide cross-functional experiences in World Class MNCs. I am open to the industry. Also, if I get an opportunity, I want to work in Consulting for a few years before taking up leadership roles at senior management level. I read the book The McKinsey Way. The variety of experiences Consulting industry has to offer fascinates me.
My assessment. A two year MBA from abroad will give the leeway to have an internship and helps with decision on the industry as well as in final placement. Indian MBA is good but I want to add international exposure and work-experience to my Resume. I am looking for loans, and substantial scholarships and financial aid.
My concerns: I would have 9 years experience by sep 2014, and would cross 30 in dec 2013, would that make regular MBA unsuitable for me. How practical is telling Adcom my aspiration for Consulting experience strictly for 3 to 4 years post MBA. Would that scare MBA adcom. What would pitch me for a full tuition waiver and for which schools. I am looking at Ivey and Schulich in Canada. Kenan Flagler, Virginia, Duke and Goizueta in USA.
Please give your analysis. Thanks you for your time.