Post
by baccardisprite » June 22nd, 2012, 2:23 pm
What (functionally) would you like to do after the MBA? Could mean consulting, finance, marketing, product management, SCM etc.
Given my experience I am targeting consulting specializing in IT. Over the last 9 years I have been through the entire life cycle (from day one of we want something to handing over a functional system) of IT Infra projects hence it would be easy for me to fit in easily and hit the ground running.
Pragmatic and sensible
In what industry / type of company (give me a few names)?
The usual big 4 in consulting as that would give me a good exposure but I am open to the idea of joining a boutique firm specializing in IT consulting. I am not targeting organizations like IBM, Accenture because their focus is applications, they outsource the Infra part totally. That is what I have noticed here and from what I have heard from my contacts that is the case abroad as well.
Good! While IMD has a strong network in these firms, you might not find as many in the IT Infra / IT Strategy part; since most of IMD's entrants into this sector are in the Strategy & Functional practices. Would suggest you take a longer look at INSEAD which has much stronger networks in the IT Consulting & Infra space in both the consulting & the product companies
Where (geography)?
Europe (preferably UK). By the way, did you speak any of the language spoken in Switzerland when you joined IMD? How easy / hard is it to learn French / German? At this point in time my plan is to work abroad for couple of years after MBA ( I am single), gain international exposure, move up the 'ladder' and then move back. This isn't carved in stone though.
The older one gets, the more challenging to learn any language! I joined an American MNC in Switzerland, so wasn't required to learn German, but it does create its challenges to integrate with society in general. My job, which is more Core Supply Chain / Network Strategy & Operations, so language skills aren't immediately critical. In client facing roles though (consulting / sales / marketing) you will find that language skills will make you more attractive to employers
Alternatively, give me a couple of examples of jobs / assignments you see yourself doing after the MBA. What's a plan A and do you have your plan B?
Like I said my first preference is Consulting, second option could be joining the internal consulting division of a firm, third option could be getting into operations. Ultimately I want to go to the top of the corporate ladder and not just be a highly skilled IT resource. The gap that is there right now is knowledge of business functions such as finance, marketing, sales, operations, hr etc. I feel MBA will give me the opportunity to bridge this gap. I am particularly interested in IMD given their focus on developing leadership skills.
Plan A is MBA and like I said earlier move into consulting and work abroad for couple of years. (I have applied to ESADE also given their strength in Consulting). Plan B is to move to a bigger organization, experience and understand business at a bigger stage and keep working towards making it to the top.
Operations in an industrial company is Supply Chain, Manufacuring, Planning, Distribution. IT Operations (if that's what you're talking about) is an entirely different animal. You can have a good career path going up to the CIO of a business / corporate... These are pretty senior roles that require IT, business / commercial and leadership skills. You're right that an MBA can bridge certain gaps, but getting to the top is all you, your performance and competencies you gain while on the job :-)
As an Indian - your GMAT will matter. While your experience is probably quite strong and relevant, you're in a competitive and undifferentiated pool of Indian applicants. A strong GMAT (700+) will help you potentially break the tie with another applicant with a profile similar to yours (there will be many).
All the best
Baccardisprite
