Profile evaluation - Underemployed
[#permalink]
02 Nov 2009, 14:12
Hello,
I appreciate any kind of advice for the following profile:
UNDERGRADUATE:
Age:27
Ethnicity: Turkish
B.S. Industrial Engineering, top school in Turkey
GPA: 3.14, Honors
Exchange Student for 1 semester at UIUC
GMAT:730
Other: ranked in top %0.01 percentile in University Entrance Exam
WORK EXPERIENCE
[*]2 years as an Analyst in a US Consulting Firm in Istanbul, Turkey.
Assigned in Management Consulting Projects for leading banks
Led client teams for Change Management activities
Business & process analysis
[*]1 year as an Options Trader for a multinational trading firm in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Pricing and trading major European market derivatives.
Why did I switch to trading? : No problem in consulting. However, I figured out that financial markets are fascinating after I started working in Management Consulting. Hence I set up a goal, educated myself - no masters, certificates etc. - did some good networking and found a spot in Amsterdam.
Here is the tricky part: The job was contract based - the risk I had to take at the time - At the time of crisis, the contract was not renewed, I was out of job. However, I may get a good recommendation letter from the director.
[*]6 months as a Sergeant in Military. Serving my community was the best choice during financial crisis. I don't know whether it counts as work experience.
[*]Currently working for a small-local FX brokerage firm as trader & investment consultant
Position is home-office, profit-share based.
Developing and executing trading strategies for computerized systems.
Preperation of special research reports for clients.
Why am I underemployed?: I couldn't find a good job right after I completed military service. I thought it is better to be underemployed than unemployed. In this job, my duties are aligned with my future goals & expectations, and it pays my bills. However, I know that a paid consulting or banking job with no relation to financial markets seems to be more prestigious.
EXTRACURRICULAR
Exchange study in US.
Critics & Articles published in several university magazines. - Mainly on cinema and politics.
Joined Business Case Study Contest in a team of four at senior year - we represented Turkey in European Finals.
Former licensed under-16 soccer player - I quitted soccer for full-time education.
Former Member of Economists platform, a popular NGO in Turkey
FUTURE PLANS:
Get a Prestigious MBA, find a well-respected position in fund management, investment consulting or private banking, get experience & good connections to prepare myself for future leadership needed in enhancing Financial Markets Sector in Turkey.
WHY MBA?
MBA has always been one of the steps I want to take, especially after I decided to switch to Financial Markets sector. I thought it was better to get a technical experience first, then combine this experience with MBA education to reach future managerial positions. I believe a solid MBA education will provide necessary soft skills, organizational perspective that I may be lacking of. I also need to know the most enhanced business practices in order to implement or adapt them in my country as a future leader.
SCHOOLS:
Top 10 or 20 Schools, especially in New York or closer areas: Columbia, Cornell, and NYU. Maybe Chicago. I may consider applying lower-ranked schools, however only small number of schools - mostly top 20 - provide loans for international students. That's a big consideration.
WORRIES
I think the job-loss and my current position will look unappealing. I know a supervisory position in a well-known firm will be more competitive, however I think it's a waste of time if this position is not related to my future goals. What should I do?
No managerial positions, only leading client teams in projects.
I can only apply to top schools which provide loans for international students. I am not sure that I am competitive for these schools.
Thank you for your time and suggestions.