Calling all IIM Calcutta PGPEX Applicants:(2019 Intake) Class of 2020

Any idea about the GMAT score range for this batch along with the work experiences?

Please pm me your Whatsapp number.

If any such whatsapp group exists for IIMC PGPEX BATCH 2019-20, Please add me to it.

Dear all,

The IIMC PGPEX deadlines are now out. The Round I application opens on June 1 2019 and the last date for submitting the application is September 15, 2019.

You can find more details here:
https://www.apphelp.co.in/IIM-C-PGPEX-Essay-Tips-Deadlines.htm

Feel free to reach out for profile and application discussions.

adkikani, could you please create a new thread for this?

Thank you LeoN88

Please continue fruitful discussions here.

Hi

I re-took my GMAT today and scored 650 (Q48,V33), IR-5, AWA-5. My first attempt score was 620 (Q47,V29).

I am male, 35, India, with work experience of 13+ years predominantly in PSUs. 11 months in HAL, Sukohi-30MKI assembly, 6-months in NMDC, Iron-ore mines and since 2007 in a steel PSU.

Academics:

Xth - 73.5% Army School
XIIth - 80% Army School
B Tech (Electrical & Electronics Engineering) from MAHATMA GANDHI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, HYDERABAD - 63.5%

Extra-Ciricular activities

Won many elocution and debate competitions at the school level and even at my workplace.
Have participated twice in National Competition for Young Managers, NCYM held by AIMA. Secured regional 3rd once in Kolkata.
Work as a faculty at the workplace (apart from my regular work) as a part of the Skill Development initiative by National Skill Development Corporation, Govt. Of India.
Passion for biking. I have been a part of a few biking expeditions (self-organized).
I am a life member of the Youth Hostels Association of India, YHAI and participated in National Himalayan Trekking Expedition-SARPASS.
Later, a knee injury in an accident led me to quit my adventurous side.
After recuperating from my injury, started a software, data entry startup (20 seaters) along with my wife. (As I work for a PSU, I cannot hold any office of profit)
But, being in a tier-2 city made it difficult for the start-up to sustain as getting projects was extremely difficult and the market was full of fraudsters. After running the start-up for a year and a half, handed over to one of our influential partners.

Why MBA?

I feel after so many years in PSUs, my career has hit a plateau and further, I see little scope of growth. It is difficult to rise in a PSU, even when equipped with a suitable skill set.
I feel a 1 year MBA would equip me with a definite skill set, apart from honing my existing ones, that would allow for a career shift within the domain of operations and strategy. I am looking forward to a more challenging work environment that would boost my career. I am looking forward for a domain change too but not at the cost of losing perspective of my 13+ years of experience in operations.

Target Schools
ISB, IIM-A, B, C, I
I have not thought of schools outside India, but would welcome suggestions.

Suggestions
Is my score worth it?
Or am I aiming too high?
Should I retake GMAT?...With the Round-1 deadlines round the corner, I have very little time to decide. I can't just apply for the sake of it as my boss will have to give his LOR and I don't want to spill beans if I am not sure of an interview call at least.

Roles and responsibilities
At HAL I was part of a team looking over Final Assembly of Sukhoi-30MKI multi-role combat aircraft. I was in charge of the electrical section but often the lines of discipline were blurred and the team used to oversee the job holistically.
NMDC was a short stint at open-cast iron-ore mines, basically looking over electrical maintenance part.
At my current workplace, a steel PSU, I started as a Management Trainee(Technical). Primarily looking after electrical maintenance of equipment in Steel Melt Shop. Promotions were mostly time-bound as per policy - Junior Manager, Assistant Manager, Deputy Manager and now Manager.
But my responsibilities have not changed much over the years - it is electrical maintenance. I had the opportunity to be in procurement and planning activities, that gave me a chance to look at the functioning of a huge organization from a supply-chain management perspective. I visited Dalian, China to have the first-hand experience of new equipment that the company had procured as a part of massive expansion and modernization. Further, I was a part of the modernization team, which gave me a deep insight into various commissioning activities of a huge plant such as ours.
Of late, I have been a part of Consultancy firm (Read McKinsey & Company) which was hired to increase the profitability of our organization..(yes, we r in losses!!!) Being a part of a global consulting company has given me an opportunity to look at broader aspects of the organization. Logistics, supply chain management at the plant level, marketing of steel and the functioning of other departments (it is highly unlikely for us to visit other departments during our lifetime unless we are transferred).
For the record, I am the only non-metallurgist from the whole organization (of strength >6000 executives and >18000 employees as a whole) who was selected in the McKinsey team. And I feel this has been the greatest responsibility till date at my work-place.

Thanks in advance

You can apply to the top IIMs and ISB. However, with 13+ years of work experience, IIM A, C & I will be better choices as the avg. age of the batch is slightly on the higher side in these colleges. Your unique PSU background (aeronautics) is definitely a plus point in your profile. While 650 is a decent GMAT score, a 700+ score will increase your chances. You can try the free profile evaluation tool to get a better picture - https://form.jotform.com/201452400984046

For more information regarding MBA and career switch from PSU to Private sector check the free resources at https://psutoprivate.com/.
All the best!

Hi All

Can you please evaluate my profile and the chance of getting into Executive program for IIM - A and IIM - C.
Honest feedback is much appreciated.

GMAT - 720
Graduation - B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering (CGPA - 7.5)
Overall Experience - 15 years in IT (out of that 9 years spent in onsite; UK - 1 year & US - 8 years)
Role - Leading Service Management Team of 25 members

Finance Background:
FRM - Cleared Part 1 & Part 2
CFA - Cleared Level 1

Other Important Certifications:
1. ITIL Expert
2. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certified
3. PMP
4. Agile Scrum Master

Hi GreenBeans

Good GMAT Score, decent academics. You haven't written much about you work experience, but we are assuming that as you are leading a team of 25 members, you can bring out stories and examples of leadership that will make your candidature stand out. The international experience definitely helps and will give you a competitive advantage.

You should focus on ensuring your SOPs and essays are articulated well and showcase your candidature effectively from a leadership perspective. Your goals would be very important. With 15 years of experience, you must have very reasonable and achievable goals.

With higher work experience, you need to work harder on your application and interview as the process is extremely competitive. Having said that, we would say that you stand a decent chance if the above points are taken care of.

Feel free to reach out in case of any queries.

Thanks for the feedback and am cent percent in agreement with you.

However, will the FRM (Part 1 & Part 2) along with CFA Level 1 give an added competitive advantage? I did those to bring some versatility in the profile.