Female/33/survivor - Next move?

Question

Hello Gmatclubbers,

I have been struggling with these questions for a lot of time and I have finally gathered the courage to ask them. Before I ask my questions I want you to know a little bit of my situation so you can help me better. I was suffering from a condition for about 17 years that remained undiagnosed until 3 years ago. It has been a journey to hell and back. But nevertheless it has been an amazing experience that has changed my perspective on life and has made me a stronger person. The only flipside to this has been that the MBA had to be kept on hold. I have once gain started preparing for GMAT and pursue my dream but few negative thoughts keep lingering at the back of my mind. 
I call them negative because I believe if you put your heart and soul you can achieve anything. My health recovery is an example of that. I had a very unconventional story of diagnosis and treatment, which I will share some time. Also I had to face all of social and economic challenges to pursue my education and get a career. I come from a small town in India. I have worked hard and have always been in the top 5 during my Engineering days. I was admitted with Full scholarship for the Masters of Science program in the United States. I completed my MS in 2005 and have been working here since then.

1.Experience:
I have 12 years of experience: 2 yrs as a Research assistant+ 10 years in consumer electronics/automotive infotaintment industry
I have grown up the following ladder: Software engineer ->lead engineer->Project manager.

2. My career goal - To get into high level executive position

3. My plan :
Get into a Big name MBA school and get into leadership rotational program.

4. Dream schools:

INSEAD,Kellogg (1 year MBA).

Now what is bothering me:

1.My age: Too old for B-school?
The negative side of me thinks it could be a minus on my application. The positive side of me wants me to think of my age as a factor to indicate my passion for higher studies and passion to grow and excel in life. My MBA plans were delayed for health reasons. Maybe I can use this point in the essays to reflect my qualities: determination, perseverance and never give up attitude. What do you think - Are schools going to reject me because of the age factor?

2. My current company does not offer rotational programs. I want to get on fast track leadership programs and hence looking at rotational programs. Does anybody know anyone who is in a rotational program at Nissan/GE/GM? I need some feedback. Also age would be a factor. Generally, rotational programs require students with 6-8 years of exp.

3.If the rotational program does not work can I get into consulting?Iam willing to change careers.

4. INSEAD suggests executive global MBA for candidates with more than 10 years of experience. Can I get into rotational programs or change careers with EMBA? The Full time MBA seems to offer more benefits than the EMBA. When I say benefits I mean - career services for alumni/opportunities to switch career/plus dedicated time for studies (unlike in EMBA, you're working Full time). I attended a BOOTH admission event and there I was told that their EMBA requires a sponsorship letter from the company and hence they don’t offer career services for EMBA students. Can someone share their thoughts on EMBA?

5. What schools do you recommend for my career goals?

I will appreciate your insight/thoughts. Thanks.

goalsnr · Answer

47 view 0 replies ! What happened to the GMATclub spirit ? C'mon people.

refurb · Answer

Your asking too many questions! People reply if it will take them a minute or so, not 15 mins!

I'll answer the first question.

No.

RF

refurb · Answer

OK, I'm feeling generous and will answer questions #2 and #3.

#2. Yes, all three companies you mentioned have rotational programs. Do a google search for details.

#3. You can try. Consulting is usually open to anyone, although not everyone has the aptitude for it. You need to be very structured and analytical in your thinking. I know some VERY smart people who couldn't land consulting jobs (at least not for the top firms).

RF

goalsnr · Answer

Refurb...Thanks for replies. But with all respect I dont agree with your "People reply if it will take them a minute or so, not 15 mins! " comment ( I wanted to call "crap" but I want in "want to be polite mood" so calling it "comment). GmatClub is such a wonderful resource for MBA aspirants. Look at posts from Rhyme, RiverRipper,BB,Bunuel,Walker and other legends here. For sure they have typed pages on a single post and I bet it has taken them more than 15 minutes. That is the spirit of Gmatclub.

Now coming to my point about too many questions. If you read posts about career/choice of schools/evals Gmatclubbers usually ask for more information so they can provide they inputs.
Thats the only reason I typed a detailed post to give people an idea about my background, reason for the delay and so on so forth.

Nevertheless, Thanks for your inputs. I appreciate your effort.

AmrithS · Answer

I think the ratio of number of responses to number of views is pretty low because most of the people who saw your post were not in a position to supply you with the required info! In come cases people get lucky and the first person to read the post would coincidentally be able to address the query in the best manner possible.
However, the questions you ask are tough to answer. I for one am not qualified to answer them

I posted because I feel the time to type a response (1 minute... 15 minutes or 1 billion minutes) has nothing to do with the number of replies.

You're a veteran member of this community

and I hope your questions are answered soon!

I posted because I feel the time to type a response (1 minute... 15 minutes or 1 billion minutes) has nothing to do with the number of replies. You're a veteran member of this community

and I hope your questions are answered soon!

goalsnr · Answer

Entwisle,

If those are some tough questions to answer I hope you can imagine how Iam dealing with those day in day out ! Maybe not many applicants go thru this phase and hence many clubbers here may not have anything to share. Thats OK. I plan to go with a consultant . I just went thru 760 quest and admire you for your determination. All the best Buddy.You will do well. Keep the faith!

refurb · Answer

Well I think one difference is that a lot of the stuff those guys post is relevant to a pretty large group, not just one person. Your questions were quite personal in nature. I do think there is a correlation between how long your post is, how many questions you ask and how many replies you get. Straightforward, short questions get a lot more attention!

RF

nosferatudracon · Answer

As for the age question there are two thoughts I have.

1) European schools favor older candidates for their one year programs, not sure if the US auto companies you want to work at hire there though...then again I imagine the European auto companies do if that's an option for you.

2) If you can convey a message of why you waited so long to get your MBA, which it sounds like you have a reasonable story, that is more important than your raw age. What schools don't want to see is someone who was "lazy" with their career and only just (after 10+ years) decided to get serious about their career. In your case you've had decent career growth while dealing with your illness. How admissions perceives your story is all in how you tell it. If you spin a tale of perserverence and dedication to excellence dispite hardship and adversity, that's a much stronger story than just simply saying I was sick so I had to wait.

Nos

geeman · Answer

Hey - as someone currently in insead - some quick comments

1.My age: Too old for B-school?
Not sure about other schools - but INSEAD should be fine. Mean age is around 29, and I have classmates who are in the mid 30s. Its strange, but age isn't really that big of an issue here. Yes you'll find some kids (26ish) but generally rare. I'll advise you to do the straight mba, especially if you want to career change (or geography change). But nevertheless, just go for an open day to find out more.

2. Question abt careers. 
To be honest, there is no sure-shot. For industry, there are a couple of rotational programmes, but networking is really critical. Meet-ups with alum, going for various campus events, landing an internship.. all these are probably necc for getting in. Generally, for consulting, it should be relatively "easier" (partly because the school does throw quite a lot of resources to train you up to get past the interviews, also M/B/B throws a lot of resources into hiring from insead) but again, theres no guarantee.

Hope it helps

3underscore · Answer

I think if your story is as compelling as you suggest, all age limits and experience limits fall by the wayside. These "limits" are never set in stone because exceptional items will mean that people will reconsider them.

Given that you are changing career track I would recommend an internship, though I know Samsung picks up a lot of people straight into FT. Does involve moving to Korea though.

Female/33/survivor - Next move?

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