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17 Dec 2018, 09:26
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Hello everybody.
I was thinking of applying to a B-school after suffering a major working disappointment. This event brought me to consider the idea to change field and specialise in the business and consulting sector. I have a Master’s Degree in International Relations (1st class honours) from the University of Bologna (Italy) and two postgraduate certificates in Diplomatic Studies from two of the most important Italian think tanks.
Studying at a B-School would be really interesting for me as it would complement my major. However, I am a little bit wavering about applying due to the following:
a) On the one hand, I am well above the average age if one thinks – for instance – of applying to a Master in Management ( I am 28 years old). I took the ill-conceived decision to spend the last couple of years focusing exclusively on studying to pass (unsuccessfully) a public exam to enter the Diplomatic Corps
b) On the other hand, if one considers an MBA (which would be a much more suited choice for me), I have little work experience (less than 2 years). And what's more, I have been working in a sector that is completely different from my education (I am self-employed in a pharmacy owned by my family).
To sum up, although having an extensive knowledge in my field – i.e., diplomacy and international affairs (economics, trade, and law too) –, a good command of English and French, and an international mindset, unfortunately, I have little work experience and I am not a good fit in terms of age.
What would you advise me?
I am undecided between trying to apply (R4) to a MiM at a top-tier European B-school (e.g., LBS, HEC, ESSEC); then landing a job and eventually after some years of work experience apply to an MBA program. Or trying asap to land a job in a sector akin to my education and apply to an MBA after a few years.
I need the skills and expertise that a Master in Management can give you to be considered to certain vacancies. But a Master in Business Administration would be the ideal choice.
Many thanks to all of you who'll resolve my doubt!!
I was thinking of applying to a B-school after suffering a major working disappointment. This event brought me to consider the idea to change field and specialise in the business and consulting sector. I have a Master’s Degree in International Relations (1st class honours) from the University of Bologna (Italy) and two postgraduate certificates in Diplomatic Studies from two of the most important Italian think tanks.
Studying at a B-School would be really interesting for me as it would complement my major. However, I am a little bit wavering about applying due to the following:
a) On the one hand, I am well above the average age if one thinks – for instance – of applying to a Master in Management ( I am 28 years old). I took the ill-conceived decision to spend the last couple of years focusing exclusively on studying to pass (unsuccessfully) a public exam to enter the Diplomatic Corps
b) On the other hand, if one considers an MBA (which would be a much more suited choice for me), I have little work experience (less than 2 years). And what's more, I have been working in a sector that is completely different from my education (I am self-employed in a pharmacy owned by my family).
To sum up, although having an extensive knowledge in my field – i.e., diplomacy and international affairs (economics, trade, and law too) –, a good command of English and French, and an international mindset, unfortunately, I have little work experience and I am not a good fit in terms of age.
What would you advise me?
I am undecided between trying to apply (R4) to a MiM at a top-tier European B-school (e.g., LBS, HEC, ESSEC); then landing a job and eventually after some years of work experience apply to an MBA program. Or trying asap to land a job in a sector akin to my education and apply to an MBA after a few years.
I need the skills and expertise that a Master in Management can give you to be considered to certain vacancies. But a Master in Business Administration would be the ideal choice.
Many thanks to all of you who'll resolve my doubt!!
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Expert reply
19 Dec 2018, 21:43
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Darius20
Hi Darius,
Thanks for posting! Are you planning to apply to only international MBAs or US programs as well?
A couple of things - first, many people apply for an MBA after being in teaching/politics/diplomacy in an effort to apply what they have learned in foreign affairs to the business setting.
What type of work do you do for your family's pharmacy? Do you help with operations, bookkeeping, supply chain, etc? If so, you could definitely weave these things into your story and explain how you've developed a love of business through the experience and how you feel an MBA would give you the expertise to either grow/expand the family business or branch out into a diferent field.
If you're an interesting person (as it seems you are!), then there are always ways to take what you've done in the past and link it to your future goals, as long as those goals make sense.
28 is not old for an MBA and may people are in their early 30's when they matriculate. If you were to go out into the workforce now, what types of roles and in what industries would you be looking at?
Regards,
Personal MBA Coach
www.personalmbacoach.com
