vs1512 wrote:
Hello
Thanks a lot for your time and inputs. Really appreciate.
Demographics: Indian, Male, 34 years, IT??
I am 34 and held delivery, practice management , project management ( managed global teams) and operational management positions in mid-size ( 25 Million USD) IT services company.
I have had 2 indepth experiences so far in early stage companies. Both in Technology services companies. I have worked very closely with these entrepreuners and appreciated what it takes to run a business and go from an idea to executing successfully. I have perspective ( ofcourse limited to my experience), on struggles to stay afloat, manage growth, strategies and thought process on inorganic growth,resistence to outside equity participation etc.
Now I am looking to build on these experiences. Three different but related careers interest me at this time. These would allow me to build on the experiences I had so far. I am sure the 2.5 - 3 years I would spend a part time program allows me to explore and experiment with these.
1. Private Equity.
2. Corporate Finance
3. Corporate Strategy
Key progressioins of my 10 year career:
1. From 1997 - 2001 , did regular IT delivery work as individual contributor and leading teams upto 5 people.
During this period worked at indian IT major and a big 4 US management consulting firm in US. Got exceeded expectations ratings through out.
Key AccomplishmentI wrote a strategy paper for post year 2000 scenario in response to suggestions for vision, mission and values statements. Based on my paper, I was invited to be part of special products team that reports directly to CEO. There were more than 2000 employees at that time.
2. From 2002 -2005, joined startup IT consulting firm in US that went from 0 to 25 Million USD by the time I quit. I was part of executive leadership team. I got this opportunity for leadership position and jumped at it. It was substantial risk since the timing was post dot com bust. But I took it for the growth and responsibilities I'd handle. I held different roles at this company at Director level. Here are the key highlights
a) I didnt have prior experience in Finance but I started as Director finance and operations.I was leading finance function with 2 accountants and a analyst reporting to me. I Setup financial processes, systems from ground up.During the year of highly aggresive growth ( 1 MM to 9.7 MM is single year) managed cashflows by doing recievables financing, negottiating advance payments from customers. Extremey high pressure in terms of decision making regarding cashflow management particularly to meet payroll needs.
b) to manage gowth, I raised 2 Million USD from 2 banks ( one in India and 1 in US) for working capital and long term loans. This included negotiation, financial analysis, networking to find banks that work with business with no credit history.This effort was led by me and almost single handedly done by me.
c) I went to India for brief period to set up Indian subsidiary operations again single handedly covering legal, regualtory, banking. Hired initial management , operations and technical team.
I setup entire operations from scratch to inaguration with 20 member team ( including CEO , Finance and HR leads) with in 60 days.
d) Later I returned to Indian subsidiary to setup Oracle practice as director and setup process , systems for delivering projects from India. Ramped up team from 0 to 40. I was able to do this because of my prior IT experience. I was responsible for managing this practice inclduding leading project teams ( that are dual shore in India - US), performance management, career management, mentoring. I was managing this 40 people practice through 6 managers.
e) I was involved as a team member for evaluating acquisition targets to do due diligence and financial evaluation. I had experience integrating with acquired firm and associated backroom issues around personnel, processes and acquired company's owners.
Overall I was executing most of the green field projects in this firm.
2005 - Current - Director, IT service Delivery focusing on Chicago area in a IT servicess company. I am part of management team here.
Besides delievering several projects as project manager, subject matter expert, solution architect, I helped position the company towards broad based services. Created positionng statement, website content, messaging , marketing collateral etc. Standardized delivey processes, proposal templates, client communications.
As a recogntion, begining this year, I was given a 10% share in profits in the company . I have been promised a share in stock coming year.
My education:
I already have an Post graduate diploma in Business Administration ( MBA equivalent) - 1995 - 97 ( 3.2 GPA)
I also completed all 3 levels of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification program concurrently during this time.
Before that I completed under grduation in electrical engg with GPA 3.2
Accomplishments at school
My summer project was adjudged as best finance project and best overall project at national level contest/ convention for the year 1996.
A Case study I presented was awarded second best case study at a national level contest for the year 1996.
Leadership at school
Member of placement committe at business school. Utilizing the network I built during my summer internship and participation in related conventions, I could directly influnce 3 companies to come to campus for placements. This was particularly important since ours was the first passing out class of this program.
President of the cultural association at business school.
I published year book for the graduating class out of my initiative.(One more effect of being first batch out of program)
Organized and led cultural teams and events atcollege during under graduation.During this time, I got corporate sponsorship for college events for the first time ever. Infact the idea itself was alien at that time .
Community involvement and leadership
I believe I have made positive difference to several people on my team and made careers for few outside my work by mentoring and coaching them. I can talk about specific examples in my essays.
Begining this year, I have co-sponsored along with my parents a grass root level Non Governmental organization. I have built the website, drafted message, donation letters and mailers. I am actively doing fund raising. we have got > 15,000 USD at this time. I have donated 2,500 USD from my side. I am not sure if I should include this piece of information.
Why (second) MBA now
Though I have 2 years of management education, I am feeling the need for MBA now because
1. I did MBA straight out of college diminishing the learning I got out of the program
2. In Indian context, getting a post graduate degree was a job earning tool more than anything else.
3. The context, time and environment are 10 years ago and I feel strong urge to get current. Rather than an Exective education program or something similar, I want to do it the right way.
4. Our class was the first graduating class of the program. For obvious reasons, there were number of startup troubles and the learning would have been much better at an established program. I think this aspect contributed quite a bit to the aspect of diminisedh learning.
4. With flexible curriculum specially at GSB, I think I have good chance of not having to repeat the courses I already did earlier. I hope to choose set of complimentary courses to cover all aspects
5. I feel a strong need for a platform and launch pad to propel my career to next level
How an MBA would help me now?
Now I believe I have matured and got experience to take advantage of an MBA program such as GSB or Kellogg. I am looking for these programs to provide me an opportnity, platform and support group to achieve these following goals.
1. One option is corporate career. In the short term, ( 3-5 years) get into executive positions that are responsible for corporate strategy and operations. I'd like to build up on my financial management experience to move to executive positions. The ultimate goal if I continue to puruse corporate career is CXO position.
2. Second is a career in PE. GSB has outstanding entrepreneurship support program through Polsky center for entrepreneurship. Ofcourse its focus on finance is second to none. I am looking to utilize the support and resources offered by this center. I am looking to build on my understanding of early stage companies and launch into career in private equity.
3. Entrepreneurship.I am currently in process of doing proof of concept for a data archival product which I believe has good potential. I am again looking to utilize the resources to help launch this.
GMAT
I will write GMAT shortly. But I am looking good for 680 - 700 band. I still have 7 weeks to go, so I should defientely make improvement.
Schools
Because of location proximity and need to ensure my time and effort is worthwhile, I am mainly looking at GSB or Kelloggs part time. I have met few current students and alumni of both schools. I attended GSB open house last week and will be attending a live class shortly. I am also visiting kelloggs shortly.
Assuming a 680 on GMAT, is my profile competitive for their part time program?
While I am very inclined towards part time programs of GSB/Kelloggs, circumstances permitting, I am also open to Full time. Can you please tell me at which schools would I be competitive for a full time program. My main cocern for full time is my fit because of my age, and secondly how recruiters would view some one at that age and experience level. I am particularly interested in programs offering strong finance and entrepreneurship programs. Appreciate your comments.
Also I am not sure if I'd be placed under typical Indian, Male ,IT. I am hoping I have some differentiators. Can you please comment on that aspect as well.
Thanks again for your inputs. I know its a long post and apologize for that. But I wanted to get it as close as possible to the core theme I was going to use in essay.in fact I have been refining my post since I first posted few days ago.
As you mentioned elsewhere even though its a marketing exercise from your end, I can imagine amount of time it consumes to read so many lengthy posts and give quality advice. I really appreciate.
regards
vs1512,
Despite your age, which is a bit old for U.S. programs, I think you will be competitive for Chicago and Kellogg's part-time programs if you get a 680 or higher. Even given your age, your accomplishments seem ahead of the curve, and as you say you have several differentiators that break you out of the Male Indian IT profile (though you still will be held to high standard). As for these two schools' full-time programs, I certainly would not discourage you from applying to them, though both seem long-shot-ish for you to me, especially Kellogg which is more community oriented and that does not seem to be your strong suit. As for other full-time programs strong in entrepreneurship and finance where you would be competitive, consider MIT Sloan, Duke, Michigan, Haas (maybe), and Texas.
Good luck,