Startup Work-Ex Impact, Chances , PR

Question

Hi , 
Want your opinion on 2 things :-  
a. Impact of Startup Work exp on MBA applications 
b. Post MBA prospectus, given i want to stay in a similar domain

Before we dive in, here's some background :-

Education - 
10th - 10CGPA 
12th - 95% 
UG - 7.8 CGPA

Passions -
Golf ( All India tour player in Under 16 Catgeory ) 
Yoga ( Currently pursuing Yoga Teacher training with a credited institution ) 
Runner ( 100+ KMs every month )

I am a  2020  engineering Graduate from a  T1 School  
Was clear on joining the non tech domain post engineering - secured a  Pre Placement offer at India's 3rd highest valued startup  in 2019   (   2 PPOs in a cohort of 30 T1 final year students )  
Role - Market Research + Business Analyst 
Experience - 1.5 Years - I was the Single  Business Analyst for the Strategy Lead  @ CEOs office, worked on launching and scaling multiple new business models.

Switch

Moved to another startup - a used car marketplace disruptor -
Role - Associate Program Manager
Experience - 2.5 years ( 2 promotions and highest rated employee over 2 appraisal cycles ) 
In the  founding team  of a new vertical in the company, which scaled from 0 to  1B$ ARR  during my tenure 
Lucky to have been trusted by VP and hence wore multiple hats - Analytics lead, Operations lead, Strategy Associate, Process Excellence ,Product Ops, GTM -  ...   leading 200 + people ,  Accrued leverage due to analytical prowess, and know how of everything in the vertical.

Now,

Quit my job,  in May becuase of 2 reasons :-

a.  Was working 6-7 days a week for around 4 years  - earlier had multiple burount cycles but somehow managed to survive by unhealthy coping mechanisms - but this time was mistreated by direct manager, and moreover I was not satisfied by the startegy of leadership, which had been on a constant downfall for the past 2 quarters. Needed some time off to recalibrate - decided for a 3 month break where I build my profile for MBA applications this year and ace the GMAT. Planning to start working again by August

b. Being a heavy generalist i  want to now acquire depth within a certain field  - in order of preference - consulting, process excellence, supply chain management, business anayltics, sales operations.
Start up work ex has given me immense breadth but little to no  DEPTH, which i feel is necessary  to go up the ladder as my years of experience increase.

To address (b.) i  applied at many corporates but to no avail , likely baucase they are currently prefering T1 MBAs and there is a surplus of T1 MBAs in India, who are willing to join at not so handsome compensations given the market situation.
Concluded that  exit opportunites for Non MBAs at startups are limited to only other startups  which, again, offer very ad hoc generalist roles given my experience.

So now  I am 100% sure that i need the MBA to break into the desired fields at a decent designation and comp level , with prospectus to grow and make lateral moves if desired . Last drawn comp was 80% of average T1 mba comp placement.

Concerns :- 
1. I have heard that work ex in big brand names is benefical in cracking admits to T1 schools like ISB. Does my startup experience not hold up in comparision ? I can surely weave a very compelling story on my imapct at these firms and I have LORs from the senior directors at these firms to back my claims.

2. Post the MBA - I want to stay in similar domains - heard typically people do the MBA to pivot roles, so will this reason be compelling enough to the adcoms ?

MBAGuide · Answer

dhruvshawarma hope this finds you well. I like how you have shared the growth trajectory of the startup during the period you were associated with the company. Thats the benchmark schools will use to evaluate your potential. Well done Concerns :- 1. I have heard that work ex in big brand names is benefical in cracking admits to T1 schools like ISB. Does my startup experience not hold up in comparision ? I can surely weave a very compelling story on my imapct at these firms and I have LORs from the senior directors at these firms to back my claims. What you have heard about feeder brands being a safe route to top B schools is an overly generalized statement. Business schools love to see interest from candidates who have hustled and worn many caps in dynamic environments. Startup stints are highly valued, especially when it comes to young candidates who can present a narrative around how their contributions in each area have taken the company's position from 0 to 1 in the areas of expertise. To demonstrate a high level of ownership, you should also unpack your experiences and reconstruct your stories in a way that shows how working closely with leadership on tech strategy, business building blocks, and implementation has given you much more practical experience, experiential maturity, and ability to contextualize business problems (specifically for your area of work) than most others who come from similar backgrounds and are your age. Outline the issues you are currently facing and how the ISB network would benefit you or the future employer. You are not at any disadvantage except for the fact that you are currently not employed. You will have to address your career break very strategically. 2. Post the MBA - I want to stay in similar domains - heard typically people do the MBA to pivot roles, so will this reason be compelling enough to the adcoms ? You are free to pursue any path you choose with your MBA/PGP degree. Admissions committees primarily assess whether your reasons for pursuing an MBA/PGP are justified. Given your experience in scaling up operations across products and processes, you would be well-suited for roles in consulting or program management, including process excellence, supply chain management, business analytics, and sales operations. Expert tip - You should contemplate which of these fields excites you the most and then devise a strategy to highlight the relevant transferable skill sets for that area. Doing so will enhance your position during the ISB interview. Having said the above, you should also not underestimate the importance of the LORs. Cultural misalignment is a common reason for employee separations. If you believe that a cultural mismatch impacted your decision to separate, it is important to address this issue thoughtfully in your MBA applications. Avoid blaming others or getting caught up in office politics when explaining the employment gap. Post MBA transitions from start-ups to larger bureaucratic organizations, or vice versa, can also result in a sense of cultural misfit. Similarly, individuals accustomed to large organizations may struggle with the fast-paced and dynamic nature of start-ups. Regardless of which professional culture resonates with you, crafting an authentic narrative that demonstrates how you will thrive in that environment post-MBA is important. If you are applying to other schools, this will help you identify schools that align with your preferred style and culture. Transform the Employment Gap into a period of Personal Growth Effectively managing the employment gap requires proactive steps and careful consideration. Even if you attribute the separation to cultural or economic factors, it may take several months to secure the right new job. During this period, consider pursuing social work or joining a non-profit organization. Good to know that you are pursuing Yoga Teacher training with a credited institution This will allow you to utilize your skills outside of your core area and gain validation and also help you to showcase personal growth while rebuilding your financial security and self-confidence. Focus on regaining stability and momentum in your career journey. Continue to actively look for roles. The employment gap has traditionally been a dreaded topic of conversation for job seekers and MBA applicants alike. But optimistically, the employment gap can also be seen as an opportunity to pursue passion projects or activities that give your life meaning. Presenting your conviction to remain productive and learn new skills during the employment gap will have a positive impact on your applicant profile. Feel free to connect for professional guidance Get personalized advice tailored to your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process. Reapplying? Get a free ding analysis Best wishes Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alum, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer) Founder, MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

admitStreet · Answer

@dhruvshawarma - Broadly, B-schools assess your work-ex across 4 parameters: brand-name, impact on the role, growth (e.g. promotions) and transferable skills (to post MBA roles). Lacking a strong brand name (or any other dimension) means you'll have to over-compensate for it across the other dimensions. For example, by demonstratic your learning arc, impact on the roles (and how it moved the needle, which is more likely in a start-up than in a big company) etc. Regarding transitions, as long as your rationale is logical and clear, it wouldn't matter whether you're looking at changing sector/ function, or moving to a bigger brand within the same sector/ function post-MBA. What's crucial is a compelling narrative linking your experiences, plans, and how the MBA will help achieve them. This would also involve understanding the skill-set gaps, beyond the brand association and network. Hope this helps a bit. Feel free to reach out for a deeper chat. Regards, Arvind Founder, admitStreet | Schedule a free chat W: https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com | LinkedIn

gmatacer2023333 · Answer

Can someone please evaluate my profile

10th : 9.4 CGPA
12th : 95%
B.Tech : Mechanical from NIT Dgp - 8.79/10
Work Experience :
1 Year - Metal & mining based company as a maintenance engineer
5 years - Military Officer
GMAT FE : 715 (Q90 V84 DI82)

I'm planning for 2025 intake of ISB, IIM ABC, LBS & INSEAD. Can someone please guide about the chances of acceptance and scholarship at INSEAD and LBS.

admitStreet · Answer

@gmatacer2023333 - The acads and GMAT are good. A few clarifications, to understand your profile better: 1. What are your post-MBA career goals? 2. Schools like INSEAD particularly value international exposure - anything on that front? 3. What about ExtraCurricular Activities? Regards, Arvind Founder, admitStreet | Schedule a free chat W: https://admitstreet.com | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com | LinkedIn

gmatacer2023333 · Answer

1. I am interested in consulting.
2. No international deputation.
3. I am into geopolitical analysis and trekking etc.

ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hello  dhruvshawarma ,

Thanks for writing in.

To answer your questions:
1. Yes, it is true that brand value is important and generally it makes things simpler; however, saying this does not imply that one cannot craft a strong narrative without having the bigger brands on your resume; yes, in the absence of a big brand, you will need to work harder to compensate on other fronts such as GMAT, essays, etc; but

2. It is absolutely fine if you do not wish to change domains; in fact, a straight forward career trajectory is often preferred; as long as your career goals are in sync, whether or not you choose to pivot roles is immaterial.

Hope this helps.

All the best!

ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hello  gmatacer2023333 ,

Hope this finds you well.

You have a stellar GMAT score as well as a strong GPA. While we do not have your proposed career goals or your achievements in front of us, you do stand a good chance at the IIM's and ISB (assuming your military career would have given you a number of diverse talking points coupled with managerial exposure).

In so far as INSEAD goes, your having either strong entrepreneurial experience or international exposure would have helped as INSEAD has a strong preference for these. Chances at INSEAD and LBS cannot really be predicted owing to how competitive these schools are; if you feel like these are sync with your goals, you may give them a shot; chances of scholarships with most UK and European schools are very low.

Hope this helps.

All the best!

MBAandBeyond · Answer

Hey  dhruvshawarma ,

Your startup experience is a goldmine for your MBA applications! Top schools like ISB value candidates who can thrive in fast-paced environments and demonstrate initiative. You've clearly been a leader, wearing multiple hats and achieving impressive results like scaling a vertical to $1 billion ARR. With a compelling story and strong recommendations, your experience can be just as impactful as big brand names.

Now, wanting to stay in a similar domain after your MBA is perfectly reasonable. Many successful MBAs use their degree to deepen their expertise. The key is to connect your startup experience to your desired field (consulting, process excellence, etc.) and highlight how the MBA will provide the specific skills and knowledge you need to excel. Your focus on career growth and specialization is a strong motivator for any MBA program.

Think of this as a springboard to launch your next chapter. If you'd like to delve deeper and craft a personalized strategy, let's chat! We offer a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your unique profile and goals in detail. We can help you showcase your strengths and position you for success at top MBA programs.

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE 1:1 ANALYSIS SESSION WITH US.

Startup Work-Ex Impact, Chances , PR

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