Hi Mr. Todd.
You definitely have an interesting background. Congrats on having the courage to forge your own path.
Let me try to answer your questions to the best I can.
1. You are clearly on the older side. The second MBA factor won't be helpful either. I would encourage you to look at executive MBA programs.
2. No - it shows an entrepreneurial spirit. The lessons you have from this journey might actually be valuable to your classmates. Finally, it seems like a fun experience as well - so more points for that. There are some caveats about entrepreneurial/freelance careers that I would like to highlight though - they are difficult to validate. But if you've done it, then your language in the essays, resume, and interveiws will be reflective of that. So nothing to worry there.
3. About the move to taking up a PM role at a large organisation - do it if it is a good career move without the MBA question hanging in the background. Is this something that you would enjoy doing? Is this something that offers you better opportunities than your current role? If yes, then take it up. We'll do the explaining in the B-school application later.
Please get in touch using the link below if you wish to discuss further.
Regards,
Karthik
MrTodd wrote:
Hi,
Kindly evaluate my profile
Age at Matriculation - 39 years
Matriculation yr - Aug 2019 or Jan/Mar 2020
Education - BE (GPA 3.0), MBA (Tier II school in India)
Programs interested - Full time MBA (1yr & 2yr)
Locations preferred - Europe & Canada
GMAT - 710, planning a retake in November, aiming 750+
Nationality - Indian
Extracurriculars - Powerlifting team captain at university, Bronze medalist at National level Powerlifting competition, Black Belt in Taekwondo, Winner of various State/National level Bodybuilding competitions
Community work - Taught Martial arts & guitar to children at a foster home, which took care of children born in brothels.
Taught the basics of fitness & nutrition to underprivileged teenagers at local community, to prepare them for a career in Personal training.
Experience - 9 years in Sales Support managerial role in Top companies in the Consumer Electronics Industry in India.
6 months Sabbatical, then for the last 1.5 years as a full time Freelance Fitness/Nutrition/Kick-boxing Coach. As a fitness coach i exclusively work with HNI's & provide customized Personal training & Diet programs. I also train fitness athletes to get them ready for Bodybuilding contests.
Global exposure - None, other than working for Chinese & South Korean firms, hence constant interaction with Global offices.
Post MBA goals - To get into Consumer Electronics Industry on an international level, to gain Global exposure working for Top brands primarily in Europe & North America. Hoping to someday be at the CXO level position.
Schools Targeted - Safe schools - Schulich, Ivey, HEC(Montreal), Smith, Mannheim, Leipzig,
Dream schools - Rotman, Erasmus, IMD, INSEAD, HEC(Paris)
Now my questions are
1. How do you rate my chances at the above schools, considering my age & untraditional current career choice?
2. Does my move away from corporate to start something on my own (which is very non traditional & untypical of a Bschool aspirant), looks bad on my resume, so much as to hamper my chances at these schools?
3. I have recently been offered a role back in the corporate as a Product manager. This role is new to me & is very attractive & also its a great opportunity for me to restart my career in corporate. However I am skeptical about leaving my business, which i built from scratch & is doing quite well.
I would not want to move back to corporate, unless it will help in showcasing my profile in good light, in a very traditional way. Will a move back to corporate look bad on my resume or will it be show a good shift, since i will be kind of re inventing myself again?
Thanks. Appreciate your inputs