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Family business as work ex? [#permalink]
 04 Feb 2013, 00:21
Hi,
I wanted to know if working for my father's business would count towards "work experience".
I have a 2+ year work experience with a major IT consultancy and I plan to leave this job to work for my father.
Will this be treated differently from any other form of work experience?
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Director
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Re: Family business as work ex? [#permalink]
04 Feb 2013, 00:55
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Work experience is work experience regardless if you're working for a giant corporation or for mom & dad. Just be sure that wherever you are that you're contributing to the business and have solid accomplishments and responsibilities to speak/write about later, should you apply to bschool. Posted from my mobile device 
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Re: Family business as work ex? [#permalink]
04 Feb 2013, 02:12
Thanks aerien. That is really encouraging.
I am planning to take my GMAT somewhere in July/August 2013. Most probably I will leave my IT consultancy job in July and then work on boosting my profile for another year or so until I think that I'm fit to apply for B schools in the US. This includes working for my dad's company and/or social work of some sort.
What really put me off was the reply of GMATLA on this thread :
gmatclub (dot) com (slash) forum (slash) working-for-a-family-business-and-letter-of-recommendation-128828.html
How true is this and why is it so contradictory to what you have mentioned?
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Manager
Joined: 08 Sep 2011
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Re: Family business as work ex? [#permalink]
04 Feb 2013, 02:22
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nitishgera wrote: Thanks aerien. That is really encouraging.
I am planning to take my GMAT somewhere in July/August 2013. Most probably I will leave my IT consultancy job in July and then work on boosting my profile for another year or so until I think that I'm fit to apply for B schools in the US. This includes working for my dad's company and/or social work of some sort.
What really put me off was the reply of GMATLA on this thread :
gmatclub (dot) com (slash) forum (slash) working-for-a-family-business-and-letter-of-recommendation-128828.html
How true is this and why is it so contradictory to what you have mentioned? Yes, you leaving an IT consulting gig to work for the family business may raise some questions about why you did so, as it may raise questions of why you need an MBA at all. That said, the noteworthy aspect of an MBA application from someone working for the family business is the letter of recommendation. I am not an admissions consultant, but I would say you should NOT get a letter of recommendation from dear ol' dad. Many schools will not even accept such letters. That is where you will need to strategize, whether it means reaching out to managers/supervisors at your current workplace to get the recommendations or someone else who could talk about your achievements.
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Manager
Joined: 08 Sep 2011
Posts: 133
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Concentration: Strategy, Entrepreneurship
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Re: Family business as work ex? [#permalink]
04 Feb 2013, 02:24
Also, from your name I take it that you're Indian?
Adcoms will most likely understand that traditions in Asia regarding taking over the family business.Your best bet will be to talk to them.
Every year top schools take in students who will go back and work for the family business. They can guide you on how to prepare your application where your work experience and achievements with the family is an asset, not a liability.
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Re: Family business as work ex? [#permalink]
04 Feb 2013, 02:27
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For starters everyone has different opinions on the matter. I agree with GMATLA that it is more difficult to get rec letters when working in a family business since having your dad write won't be looked at well. You'd be better off getting a client or advisor writing it. That being said, gaining work experience in a family business IS working. Nothing can take away what you've learned working with other people. When looking at bschools though you will have to find the schools that fit for you -- some may be friendlier than others when looking at your background. Posted from my mobile device Posted from my mobile device
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Re: Family business as work ex? [#permalink]
04 Feb 2013, 03:37
westsidah408 wrote:
Yes, you leaving an IT consulting gig to work for the family business may raise some questions about why you did so, as it may raise questions of why you need an MBA at all.
Thanks westsidah408. The main reason I would leave my IT job for the family business is primarily to streamline the IT aspect of the family business. I guess an year down the line I would have done something substantial in this regard, so as to justify my switch. westsidah408 wrote: That said, the noteworthy aspect of an MBA application from someone working for the family business is the letter of recommendation. I am not an admissions consultant, but I would say you should NOT get a letter of recommendation from dear ol' dad. Many schools will not even accept such letters. That is where you will need to strategize, whether it means reaching out to managers/supervisors at your current workplace to get the recommendations or someone else who could talk about your achievements.
Yes. I agree with you on that. I will be getting all my recommendations from my current supervisors. So hopefully that aspect is sorted.
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Re: Family business as work ex? [#permalink]
04 Feb 2013, 06:07
westsidah408 wrote: Also, from your name I take it that you're Indian?
Adcoms will most likely understand that traditions in Asia regarding taking over the family business.Your best bet will be to talk to them.
Haha yes. Good observation  Well, yes. That is the general tradition in India. The reason I want an MBA from one the top B schools is to gain that exposure so as to take my family business global. My knowledge in IT systems and processes will hopefully complement what I learn in B school, when I need to apply it to my family business. I hope I am able to convince the adcoms on this.
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Joined: 08 Sep 2011
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Re: Family business as work ex? [#permalink]
04 Feb 2013, 08:10
nitishgera wrote: westsidah408 wrote: Also, from your name I take it that you're Indian?
Adcoms will most likely understand that traditions in Asia regarding taking over the family business.Your best bet will be to talk to them.
Haha yes. Good observation Well, yes. That is the general tradition in India. The reason I want an MBA from one the top B schools is to gain that exposure so as to take my family business global. My knowledge in IT systems and processes will hopefully complement what I learn in B school, when I need to apply it to my family business. I hope I am able to convince the adcoms on this. It's virtually the same here in Thailand. My advice would be to just speak to the adcoms regarding your situation. Tell them that you're making this move, why you're doing it (streamline the company's IT systems etc.) and you think that you will achieve a lot - but that you will want an MBA to take it to the next step, i.e. management training or something like that. What are their thoughts? Also, you should consider which schools you will apply to since their strengths are different; also consider their alumni base in your location/industry etc. Good luck 
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Re: Family business as work ex?
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04 Feb 2013, 08:10
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