Profile Evaluation + Guidance on improving skill-set
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10 Nov 2013, 12:23
Hello everyone,
I am a 24 year old Indian, working in Germany. I recently completed my Master of Science in Engineering ( Semiconductors background) in Germany, and I am working for one of the top semiconductor companies here.
In a few years time, I would like to do an MBA from the top reputed schools and I would like to seek your valuable inputs and guidance.
A brief overview of my profile:
1. Living in Germany for a little more than 3 years now and can converse in German to a reasonable extent ( not a fluent speaker yet, but can handle conversations both in office and in day-to-day circumstances)
2. Proactively, assumed the role of an a volunteering co-ordinator for my site and driving volunteer projects within the first 15 days of joining work
3. Play badminton and table-tennis ( just as a hobby, not for any professional league)
4.Co-ordinated technical fests during my undergrad days
5. Hosted events both during under-grad and during my Master's days
6. Above average acads ( not the class-topper but was more like within the top 10-15%)
I have a few questions and I wish to seek your valuable opinion:
1. In four-five years time, I wish to do an MBA ( preferably in Finance/ related disciplines). However, since I don't have any finance background, I am a bit skeptical if I will be able to make the most of my discussions with classmates and professors during my MBA studies. Therefore, I am considering to prepare for CFA ( aim is to complete 2/3 levels before enrolling for an MBA). Would this be the right strategy to follow or are there any better ways? Initially, I thought that I will do a part-time bachelor's course in finance/ business to get the basics, but there are no relevant courses near the area I live.
2.My main reason for an MBA is that I believe that in addition to the technical skills, an engineer must also know the managerial challenges/ limitations and therefore, I am interested in doing an MBA. I wish to return back to the semiconductor industry, since I believe that I will be able to make the most of my post-MS work experience + MBA. However, I haven't really seen a lot of my colleagues following this approach. Am I following a very narrow path ?
3. Since I am living in Germany, and within the next 21 months, I will have an unrestricted work access across the EU and subsequently a permanent resident ( most probably, by the time I apply for an MBA, I will be a permanent resident/ German citizen ( which I am still thinking about?). Therefore, I am strongly considering pursuing an MBA in Europe and also an MBA in USA. Given the present economic situation, which would you suggest is a better place to study in and for jobs? From my limited research, I often hear that there are more MBA's than needed in USA. Is this really the case? In Europe ( atleast in the semiconductor industry), I have not seen a lot of people with an MBA degree. Personally, I am more inclined to work in Europe ( given the huge benefits) but I am also willing to work in USA.
4. Although, there is still some time before I give my GMAT, I am aiming for a score between 730-750. My target universities in Europe are INSEAD, IE and LBS. In USA, my dream universities are Wharton, Kellogg, Haas, Stern ( I think HBS/ Stanford might be a bit too difficult for me). Do you think that I have a reasonable chance at these universities and what do I need to do to add diversity to my profile?
Thank you for your valuable time and efforts. Sorry for posting such a huge post.