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sailormarine
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Is my profile eligible for MBA? Ex Merchant Marines 25 Jun 2019, 07:07
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Good day y'all. I am a Marine Engineer and my work involves sailing onboard foreign going container ships. I am responsible for keeping the engines and various machinery that power a ship, in good state. I have altogether a 3 years work ex with the world's biggest shipping company.

Profile highlights:

Work ex: 3 years

Extra Curriculars: leadership roles at undergrad maritime college, published a paper pitching a business idea for online booking of shipping containers

Undergrad school / major: BITS Pilani (India), B. tech. Marine Engineering

Nationality : Indian

Age/Sex: 25/Male

GMAT: plan to undertake soon

Undegrad score: 8.36 on 10 gpa


Since I want to venture into Management roles (somewhat related to my industry) hence I have decided to pursue a General MBA specializing in Logistics or Supply Chain. I wrote to NTU (Nanyang) in Singapore and the recruiter at Nanyang replied :

"I am afraid based on your current profile, it would be difficult for you to transit into a role in logistics even if you have completed the Nanyang MBA with us. This is due to the largely technical side of your career so far. You may therefore wish to accumulate some years of experience in the logistics industry before embarking on an MBA or you may wish to consider a specialised Masters that focuses on logistics in order to gain the credentials necessary for you to gain a understanding and footing in this industry."

This has depressed and confused me at the same time. I have the following questions that I am looking for answers to:

1. If Nanyang rejected my profile then it means all other top schools would also reject it because my career aspiration would not relate to their course. Right? If yes then how am I supposed to make this switch from sailing career to Management role?

2. What do typical engineering profiles list their primary reasons as for doing an MBA? I believe the major one is change of industry. If yes, then how do they get into B-Schools?

3. I am confused to the state that I feel like I will need managerial experience to go for an MBA. Is this true?

Please share your valuable feedback. Thanks in advance!

Posted from my mobile device
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Is my profile eligible for MBA? Ex Merchant Marines 25 Jun 2019, 09:13
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sailormarine
Good day y'all. I am a Marine Engineer and my work involves sailing onboard foreign going container ships. I am responsible for keeping the engines and various machinery that power a ship, in good state. I have altogether a 3 years work ex with the world's biggest shipping company.

Profile highlights:

Work ex: 3 years

Extra Curriculars: leadership roles at undergrad maritime college, published a paper pitching a business idea for online booking of shipping containers

Undergrad school / major: BITS Pilani (India), B. tech. Marine Engineering

Nationality : Indian

Age/Sex: 25/Male

GMAT: plan to undertake soon

Undegrad score: 8.36 on 10 gpa


Since I want to venture into Management roles (somewhat related to my industry) hence I have decided to pursue a General MBA specializing in Logistics or Supply Chain. I wrote to NTU (Nanyang) in Singapore and the recruiter at Nanyang replied :

"I am afraid based on your current profile, it would be difficult for you to transit into a role in logistics even if you have completed the Nanyang MBA with us. This is due to the largely technical side of your career so far. You may therefore wish to accumulate some years of experience in the logistics industry before embarking on an MBA or you may wish to consider a specialised Masters that focuses on logistics in order to gain the credentials necessary for you to gain a understanding and footing in this industry."

This has depressed and confused me at the same time. I have the following questions that I am looking for answers to:

1. If Nanyang rejected my profile then it means all other top schools would also reject it because my career aspiration would not relate to their course. Right? If yes then how am I supposed to make this switch from sailing career to Management role?

2. What do typical engineering profiles list their primary reasons as for doing an MBA? I believe the major one is change of industry. If yes, then how do they get into B-Schools?

3. I am confused to the state that I feel like I will need managerial experience to go for an MBA. Is this true?

Please share your valuable feedback. Thanks in advance!

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Hi, Don't worry about Nanyang reply. There are lot of B-schools looking for the deversified applicants. I know one of the alumni from ISB, who is from the Merchant Navy profile. He got admission with 660 GMAT score, and Post-MBA, he switched his industry. all the best :thumbup:
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Is my profile eligible for MBA? Ex Merchant Marines 25 Jun 2019, 11:09
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sailormarine
Good day y'all. I am a Marine Engineer and my work involves sailing onboard foreign going container ships. I am responsible for keeping the engines and various machinery that power a ship, in good state. I have altogether a 3 years work ex with the world's biggest shipping company.

Profile highlights:

Work ex: 3 years

Extra Curriculars: leadership roles at undergrad maritime college, published a paper pitching a business idea for online booking of shipping containers

Undergrad school / major: BITS Pilani (India), B. tech. Marine Engineering

Nationality : Indian

Age/Sex: 25/Male

GMAT: plan to undertake soon

Undegrad score: 8.36 on 10 gpa


Since I want to venture into Management roles (somewhat related to my industry) hence I have decided to pursue a General MBA specializing in Logistics or Supply Chain. I wrote to NTU (Nanyang) in Singapore and the recruiter at Nanyang replied :

"I am afraid based on your current profile, it would be difficult for you to transit into a role in logistics even if you have completed the Nanyang MBA with us. This is due to the largely technical side of your career so far. You may therefore wish to accumulate some years of experience in the logistics industry before embarking on an MBA or you may wish to consider a specialised Masters that focuses on logistics in order to gain the credentials necessary for you to gain a understanding and footing in this industry."

This has depressed and confused me at the same time. I have the following questions that I am looking for answers to:

1. If Nanyang rejected my profile then it means all other top schools would also reject it because my career aspiration would not relate to their course. Right? If yes then how am I supposed to make this switch from sailing career to Management role?

2. What do typical engineering profiles list their primary reasons as for doing an MBA? I believe the major one is change of industry. If yes, then how do they get into B-Schools?

3. I am confused to the state that I feel like I will need managerial experience to go for an MBA. Is this true?

Please share your valuable feedback. Thanks in advance!

Posted from my mobile device
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Ahoy, sailormarine,

First, I have a doubt. Are you in merchant navy, who I believe sail for only 6 months a year? If that's the case, then what do you do for the other six months when you are not sailing?

This aside, I don't agree with the feedback you were given by NTU. I guess someone was having a rough day there. If you knew it all about a particular industry or function, then why would you need an MBA to make that career change? The purpose of an MBA for most students is so that they are able to change their careers- this could be either industry or function or geography or all three dimensions. Let this feedback not deter you from applying to other MBA programs.

What you should demonstrate is your leadership skills and good career trajectory. Its perfectly alright to have attained skills that can be transferred to your next role after the MBA. We have worked with applicants with your profile who mentioned getting into operations and even logistics/ supply chain as career goals. Infact I remember MBA students being hired in Amazon for the Pathways program (its an operations leadership program) and in other operations roles.

With 3 years of experience under your belt, b-schools will not expect you to have managerial responsibilities. However, they will evaluate you for your leadership skills. Think of the times you took initiatives, challenged the status quo, improved processes, handled difficult situations and difficult team members, and you'll have some good stories to tell.
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sailormarine
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Location: India
Concentration: Operations, International Business
Schools: MBS '22 (D) Smurfit "21 (A$)  (A$) Alberta "22 (D) HEC Montreal '21 (A)
GPA: 3.35
WE:Operations (Transportation)
Schools: MBS '22 (D) Smurfit "21 (A$)  (A$) Alberta "22 (D) HEC Montreal '21 (A)
Posts: 29
Kudos: 21
Is my profile eligible for MBA? Ex Merchant Marines 25 Jun 2019, 11:21
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sailormarine
Good day y'all. I am a Marine Engineer and my work involves sailing onboard foreign going container ships. I am responsible for keeping the engines and various machinery that power a ship, in good state. I have altogether a 3 years work ex with the world's biggest shipping company.

Profile highlights:

Work ex: 3 years

Extra Curriculars: leadership roles at undergrad maritime college, published a paper pitching a business idea for online booking of shipping containers

Undergrad school / major: BITS Pilani (India), B. tech. Marine Engineering

Nationality : Indian

Age/Sex: 25/Male

GMAT: plan to undertake soon

Undegrad score: 8.36 on 10 gpa


Since I want to venture into Management roles (somewhat related to my industry) hence I have decided to pursue a General MBA specializing in Logistics or Supply Chain. I wrote to NTU (Nanyang) in Singapore and the recruiter at Nanyang replied :

"I am afraid based on your current profile, it would be difficult for you to transit into a role in logistics even if you have completed the Nanyang MBA with us. This is due to the largely technical side of your career so far. You may therefore wish to accumulate some years of experience in the logistics industry before embarking on an MBA or you may wish to consider a specialised Masters that focuses on logistics in order to gain the credentials necessary for you to gain a understanding and footing in this industry."

This has depressed and confused me at the same time. I have the following questions that I am looking for answers to:

1. If Nanyang rejected my profile then it means all other top schools would also reject it because my career aspiration would not relate to their course. Right? If yes then how am I supposed to make this switch from sailing career to Management role?

2. What do typical engineering profiles list their primary reasons as for doing an MBA? I believe the major one is change of industry. If yes, then how do they get into B-Schools?

3. I am confused to the state that I feel like I will need managerial experience to go for an MBA. Is this true?

Please share your valuable feedback. Thanks in advance!

Posted from my mobile device




First, I have a doubt. Are you in merchant navy, who I believe sail for only 6 months a year? If that's the case, then what do you do for the other six months when you are not sailing?

This aside, I don't agree with the feedback you were given by NTU. I guess someone was having a rough day there. If you knew it all about a particular industry or function, then why would you need an MBA to make that career change? The purpose of an MBA for most students is so that they are able to change their careers- this could be either industry or function or geography or all three dimensions. Let this feedback not deter you from applying to other MBA programs.

What you should demonstrate is your leadership skills and good career trajectory. Its perfectly alright to have attained skills that can be transferred to your next role after the MBA. We have worked with applicants with your profile who mentioned getting into operations and even logistics/ supply chain as career goals. Infact I remember MBA students being hired in Amazon for the Pathways program (its an operations leadership program) and in other operations roles.

With 3 years of experience under your belt, b-schools will not expect you to have managerial responsibilities. However, they will evaluate you for your leadership skills. Think of the times you took initiatives, challenged the status quo, improved processes, handled difficult situations and difficult team members, and you'll have some good stories to tell.
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Hi Namita,

Thankyou so much for your reply. Appreciate the time and effort you took to answer the query.

Yes I'm a Merchant Navy Officer. We don't sit idle for 6 months. My contract is 5 months on and 2.5 months off (paid leave). These 2.5 months are pure vacation that I devote to travel or spend with family or simply relax.

The NTU's CV Review has questioned my motive and has disheartened me. Thankyou for the assurance and I absolutely agree with you on what you said. Considering it, do you think I should still consider applying to NTU or NUS and SMU? I would want to study in Singapore because it's close to India and is the hub for Logistics.

The two downsides that I studying in Sungapore are, First NTU or NUS don't have a specialized track leading to Logistics/Supply Chain. It will broadely fall under the General Management domain. Second, Singapore with it's length and breath is in no position to offer a post study work entitlement. What do you feel about these concerns?
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Is my profile eligible for MBA? Ex Merchant Marines 26 Jun 2019, 07:11
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Yes, you should definitely apply to SMU and NUS. If you talked to a person in the NTU adcom, then I think they have given you a direction already - you can skip applying there.

NUS and NTU both value leadership skills. If you are applying to NUS this year, you will have to ensure that your application showcases your leadership ability. This doesn't necessarily mean leading people who are reporting to you. Refer to what I wrote in the first post to understand what leadership encompasses. Also read this article

If you are going abroad to study, be mindful that you will have to work hard to find a job, be it Singapore or anywhere else. Visas often depend upon the company you join and whether its ready to sponsor your visa. Also, its wise to be open to working anywhere in the Asian region - maybe the company that hires you puts you in another country and not Singapore.

Regarding the coursework- a track is a bunch of courses in a particular subject. Even if NUS does not have a specialized track in logistics, find out about their electives in operations/ supply chain / logistics- that will give you an idea whether the MBA appeals to you.

You could also aim for several MBAs in the US with specialization in your target fields. Check these
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Is my profile eligible for MBA? Ex Merchant Marines 28 Jun 2019, 02:04
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Hey
No need to feel depressed. Your work ex seems good. I am a sailor too. I came back in Sep and started preparing for GMAT in Dec. Guessing by your age i would say you are a 3rd engineer or 4th engineer which is actually not a management level rank on board even Though we do have crew working under as we are officers. Some colleges consider that. You can consider a specialized Masters that focuses on logistics if that is what you want to to instead of a general mba. There are some good colleges who do offer masters in what you are pursuing to do.

Best of luck