I had almost decided to apply to HEC Paris, but then the Europe job scene is tough anyday for non-Europeans. I can definitely get a job, but only based on my previous experience. Changing careers would be difficult. INSEAD and LBS can open doors to new careers but they are too costly.
Is there any good one-year MBA in US? There are a few good ones but they need an undergraduate degree in business. One which is decent is Emory University's Goizueta School of Business. It has very good one year MBA which doesn't require a degree in business. I again almost fixed my mind into this one.
But after talking to a few more friends, I thought, I'll think long-term. One year or two doesn't matter much in a career of 25-year more years, but two year MBA will open up many options which one-year cannot. I should not decide based only on one year shorter time out of work, because the extra options more than make up for it.
So I started looking at US schools. Schools which can give me some scholarship. UNC with scholarship is a reach, but I will try. Emory is possible. I don't know much about Indiana but I think I can get some. So these three are decided. Vanderbilt has a strong program with good academics too. I'm thinking about it. Most probably I'll apply.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Which school? --- Part 1
In the name of researching schools, I have been spoiling my head for last 6-8 months and still not reached any solid conclusion.
I started with ISB, Hyderabad. Then thought I'll give IIM PGPX a shot too. But then these two programs are too rigorous and I won't get any time to spend with my family. My daughter will be a year when I join and she would need my time then. If I am not able to talk to her even once in a day in that stage of hers, what's the use? One thing decided then. No MBA in India.
But foreign MBA costs money, and a lot of it. I'll be returning to India anyway when my daughter turns four, so that her education is all in India. Then does it make sense to take a loan of $120,000?
No, not for me. People do that, but somehow, it's not for me. I would rather spend money in making my life better than giving away all my savings for 10-12 years to school.
I do value good education. In fact my belief has always been that when it comes to education, there should be no compromise. But the situation is different now. I am responsible to my family too. If I were a bachelor, I could have taken any loan to study in the best university. But now I have more constraints.
Then I came to know about GISMA, a one-year MBA course in Germany. The degree is given by Purdue University, education is in Europe. I could get full scholarship so the total cost be less than $15K. It sounded like the best of both worlds! But somehow this MBA program is not lifting off even though it has been existing since 7-8 years. Hardly anyone knows about it. What's the use of an MBA degree if no one even knows such a school exists? The costs are less, but the benefits are even lesser. So forget about that.
While going through the websites, I came to know of some other schools in Germany, like WHU, Mannheim and also of St. Gallen in Switzerland. But somehow the Germany business schools are not recognized much outside Germany, and even in Germany. St. Gallen is an excellent program but then there are no scholarships and the costs would be too much. Not too much in absolute amount, but for a person living in India, paying loans in Euros or Dollars (or CHF) is always tough. And also, it is always difficult to get a job of my choice in Europe given that I am not from Europe.
By the way, I was not even thinking about the top programs like INSEAD, IMD or LBS because of the huge loans.
Then I talked to my friend who is an alum of HEC Paris. He told me to go for best ones as my profile is good and I can get an admit. And he also told not to worry about loans as everyone pays it off, and that it is an experience of a lifetime and I would always be better off going to a top school. Good points. But again, if one thinks about career only. For me, career comes second, and my family first. I can do with a little compromise on the school pedigree. I have been in the top performers in my company and from what I have seen, I am sure I can succeed even with a decent school, as long as the education is good.
I started with ISB, Hyderabad. Then thought I'll give IIM PGPX a shot too. But then these two programs are too rigorous and I won't get any time to spend with my family. My daughter will be a year when I join and she would need my time then. If I am not able to talk to her even once in a day in that stage of hers, what's the use? One thing decided then. No MBA in India.
But foreign MBA costs money, and a lot of it. I'll be returning to India anyway when my daughter turns four, so that her education is all in India. Then does it make sense to take a loan of $120,000?
No, not for me. People do that, but somehow, it's not for me. I would rather spend money in making my life better than giving away all my savings for 10-12 years to school.
I do value good education. In fact my belief has always been that when it comes to education, there should be no compromise. But the situation is different now. I am responsible to my family too. If I were a bachelor, I could have taken any loan to study in the best university. But now I have more constraints.
Then I came to know about GISMA, a one-year MBA course in Germany. The degree is given by Purdue University, education is in Europe. I could get full scholarship so the total cost be less than $15K. It sounded like the best of both worlds! But somehow this MBA program is not lifting off even though it has been existing since 7-8 years. Hardly anyone knows about it. What's the use of an MBA degree if no one even knows such a school exists? The costs are less, but the benefits are even lesser. So forget about that.
While going through the websites, I came to know of some other schools in Germany, like WHU, Mannheim and also of St. Gallen in Switzerland. But somehow the Germany business schools are not recognized much outside Germany, and even in Germany. St. Gallen is an excellent program but then there are no scholarships and the costs would be too much. Not too much in absolute amount, but for a person living in India, paying loans in Euros or Dollars (or CHF) is always tough. And also, it is always difficult to get a job of my choice in Europe given that I am not from Europe.
By the way, I was not even thinking about the top programs like INSEAD, IMD or LBS because of the huge loans.
Then I talked to my friend who is an alum of HEC Paris. He told me to go for best ones as my profile is good and I can get an admit. And he also told not to worry about loans as everyone pays it off, and that it is an experience of a lifetime and I would always be better off going to a top school. Good points. But again, if one thinks about career only. For me, career comes second, and my family first. I can do with a little compromise on the school pedigree. I have been in the top performers in my company and from what I have seen, I am sure I can succeed even with a decent school, as long as the education is good.
Why MBA?
Mainly to gain knowledge about and to get permission to work in business. I have done pretty much ok and achieved all my goals so far. But I have this feeling that I can do much more. And also that the work I am doing does not do justice to my intelligence. My brain is rusting! Project Management in IT doesn't take much brains... And when it comes to brain, "use it or lose it" applies very well and I am afraid of losing it :-)
Besides, full-time study after 7 years of work would be a good break to rejuvenate and also revisit my career plan...
Besides, full-time study after 7 years of work would be a good break to rejuvenate and also revisit my career plan...
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Purpose
Purpose of this blog - To record my musings on my MBA Journey.
I am tired of thinking the same things again and again and coming to the same conclusions. This will be a record so that I can refer back to the decisions already taken and not worry about it again.
I am tired of thinking the same things again and again and coming to the same conclusions. This will be a record so that I can refer back to the decisions already taken and not worry about it again.
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