Government sector/Social Impact professional-Profile evaluationrequest

Question

Hi,
I am a Program Officer in the UNICEF supported/run thinktank for the Department of Women and Child Development - Government of the state of Maharashtra (population over 112 million)
The mission reports to the senior-most bureaucrat of the Women and Child Development deptt and the UNICEF state nutrition head.

- I am a finance turned social impact professional:
Education- 
1. Professional course- Chartered Accountancy (similar to US CPA, one of the most difficult exams of the country) 
2. Master's in Business Management - CGPA 4.0 
Gold medalist from one of the top 10 commerce colleges in India 
3. Bachelor's in Commerce -
CGPA 3.74 
Top 2% of class of 800+ in one of the top 10 commerce colleges in India
4. Diploma in French- 
Level 4/6 from the official international French language accreditation institution (also assisted as a French interpreter for an Indian film short shoot)
5. Diploma in Spanish- 
Level 4/6 from the official international Spanish language accreditation institution
(I love languages and engaging with people from different cultures- one reason why I wish to get an international MBA which has a diverse class)

- Work experience- 4 years 10 months
1. Program officer- 8 months
2. Deloitte Consulting - Strategy and Business design - Social impact vertical- 1 year 2 months
3. Deloitte Risk Advisory -
Senior Associate- 1 year (Post graduation)
Associate - 2 years (Pre graduation)
Work hours- 7hours+, not an internship

Highlights-
1. Program officer:
a. 2nd National CS conference -
Worked in a team of 5 for the Chief Secretary of the State for the national strategy discussion conference for Economic empowerment of Women chaired by the Hon. Prime Minister
Policy suggestions drafted by me taken up by the central government and orders issued
Collaborated with the Central Ministry for Women and Child Development, 17 state ministries, senior bureaucrats, state officials from Maharashtra and 17 other states and non-profits to prepare the national theme strategy note
b. Asset monetization - 
Led negotiations for a project that would generate benefits (nutritious food and employment) valuing to ~$10mn annually for vulnerable women and children under state protection along with the first City-level intervention for severely acute malnourished children in Mumbai
- Introduced in-person quarterly organization meeting considering the traction in the organisation (It is a decentralised team working across the state- Divisional officers reported that they get less-face time, involvement with the seniors and belonging to the organisation)

2. Consultant, Deloitte Consulting 
- Early confirmation of fixed term contractor to payroll employee conversion within 5 months for exceptional performance before the completion of the contract period 12 months
- Responsible for programmatic and financial reviews for over 50 implementing partner (IP) grants valuing over $10 million, in the fields of health, food distribution, Covid aid, education and skilling, etc. as a part of Corporate social advisory for global banks
• Introduced and co-authored a thought leadership POV on Adverse Childhood Experiences with Deloitte Monitor
• Initiated and led development of tools to help standardize periodic MIS reporting process for IPs by applying learnings from various reviews
• Responsible for financial evaluation of budget proposals of 15 IPs for Deloitte WorldClass’ $2mn grant- Deloitte Global’ s Corporate responsibility initiative in India. Drove budget standardization, negotiation and assisted final IPs’ selection

Extra Curriculars-
Chief Operating Officer- Deloitte SAMA (Strategy, Analytics and M&A) Women’s Network- 120-woman practitioners 
• Assisted the implementation of the first Women mentorship program in SAMA
• Hosted leadership connect with the Executive Director, Deloitte Consulting as a motivational session to encourage women for leadership roles
• Hosted conversation with Partner/ Climate and Sustainability leader, Deloitte Consulting for Earth Day connect

Volunteering-
- Mentor for a 14 y/o girl from a municipal school - program aimed to increase the self-esteem of economically challenged children from municipal schools for better transition into high schools and jobs
- Content editor for progress reports issued to contributors to various NGOs
- Developed course content module for an NGO

College Extra Curriculars-
1. Miss Mumbai University 2018-19
2. College Contingent leader for youth festival- team 50+
3. Founding chairperson of the 1st TEDx event in the college-
team of over 50, event reach 5000+
The event now takes place every year
4. Founder- French Forum
Efforts led to the first student immersion in Paris
5. Represented Mumbai University at the National level

Post MBA goals-
a. Overall strategy/ lead role in leading global funding agencies (eg- the BMGF) or international agencies like World Bank and UNICEF
Why- While working with the government, I observed the importance of voicing one's ideas at the decision table and having a good network to get a seat at the table. I could leverage the intersection of finance and social impact skills and this is why I wish to get an MBA at this point of my life to polish my skills better and get involved in important global strategies for social impact, especially for women and nutrition through an extended network
b. VC - impact investing and blended finance
Impact financing, especially blended finance is a means to collaborative, impactful and long term social impact. Through my interaction with professionals from the sector across India and Africa, I could understand that an MBA can open the gates to non-entry level roles in the impact investing space. An MBA will help me get a bumped up career beginning in the impact investing space.

GMAT score-
Targeting 730-750
Currently at 710 level
Would need financial aid

Target schools
HBS, GSB, Wharton
(September 2023 application cycle)

Requesting your comments and guidance regarding the following -
1. Overall profile
2. Areas in which I can work on
3. Target GMAT score to get a scholarship

Really looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you!

Admissionado · Answer

RenB : 1. Overall profile A: Very strong. You will make a good candidate for a top school assuming your application is in tip top shape. I'm not 100% sure about HSW but it's not unreasonable for you to try one or all of them. Make sure you have backup plans. 2. Areas in which I can work on There is not a ton you can or should do at this point other than the GMAT. Your volunteer work is decent but if you want to pick up one more thing over the summer, that might not hurt. The essays, LORs, and CV/resume are key for you. 3. Target GMAT score to get a scholarship I would target 750+ for these schools. For just admission, a 730 would be ideal. It looks like you are close, so keep pushing. FYI, Harvard financial aid is not merit-based. If we can be of help, please reach out to us for a free consultation. https://admissionado.com/free-consultation/

RenB · Answer

Hi Admissionado team,

Thank you so much for writing in.

Can you tell me how much is the impact of LORs in the application process? And to what degree it matters who you take the LORs from?

I have spoken to my managers and bosses. A state head at UNICEF, Senior consultants at UNICEF and the Principal Secretary of the Department would most likely be my recommenders. How much of a boost would that give my profile?

Also, how can I better plan my LORs? What would be the specifics that I should discuss with them/ ask them to mention in the LORs?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Admissionado · Answer

RenB : It's our pleasure! Q: Can you tell me how much is the impact of LORs in the application process? And to what degree it matters who you take the LORs from? A: They are significant, though perhaps a little less so than decades back. Your recommenders matter as far as how well they know you and your work product/skills. Title, seniority, etc. are less important than most people think. Q: I have spoken to my managers and bosses. A state head at UNICEF, Senior consultants at UNICEF and the Principal Secretary of the Department would most likely be my recommenders. How much of a boost would that give my profile? A: If they know you well and you trust them, then it will boost your profile because it will lead to a high quality recommendation. Their titles don't carry much weight. Q: Also, how can I better plan my LORs? What would be the specifics that I should discuss with them/ ask them to mention in the LORs? A: You can have a conversation or two with them to review your experience, relationship with them, your career (post-MBA) goals, etc. We have a blueprint (in terms of timing and structure) for reaching out for recommenders. I strongly suggest you get in touch with my team to learn more! https://admissionado.com/free-consultation/

Government sector/Social Impact professional-Profile evaluationrequest

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