Is it better to quit?

Question

I am currently working almost 6-7 days a week and usually 10-11 hours a day which leaves me with almost no time/ energy to prepare for gmat.

I have been speculating with the thought of quitting my current job and prepare for GMAT and write my GMAT test by Mid october 2009.

To fill the gap on my resume, I plan to volunteer for an NGO (either till Mid october or untill session starts)

Please suggest me if this looks like an OK plan or do you think QUITTING my current job would be an absolute no-no?

Do you think finding a new job soon after writing the GMAT can work? However I think it be too much of fragmentation on my resume?

Finances are not a trouble... I have enough savings.

nink · Answer

That depends on strength of your resolution and determination.

There are tons of people who work 60-90 hrs a week and still manage to study for GMAT exam.

When I prepared for my GMAT exam, I worked anywhere from 60-80 hrs per week, traveling all over US to meet clients, managing 3 to 6 different project teams as project manager, and still forced myself to do 25 questions every day - during lunch, on Amtrak, on airplanes/airports, in the subway etc etc.

It's tough managing both your career and GMAT preparation at the same time. But when others can do it, that means you can probably do it too.

Don't give up without dedicating 110% to your goals/objectives and without trying.
Every step in your bschool journey, including the GMAT prep, is part of process to improve yourself. This is something you have to overcome and it feels so good once you reach the finish line.

bb · Answer

Wow Nink!

I had a slightly different approach - after about a month of trying to prep and working, I asked my boss to revise my working hours and though I had 8 hour+ working days, I was able to work Noon - 10 PM (rarely can this be arranged, but I managed to) and 8 am to noon was spent on GMAT. When I got home at 10:30 and was done with dinner, I would read English Fiction books (i am not a native speaker so I needed all the help I could get). Then the next morning I would review my results and start a new chapter in the books. I would also bring exercises with me to work to do on lunch break. In the subway I would read fiction books. I would not study after work though - i felt my brain was done.

I would not quit, at least not yet. Take a gmatprep or another practice test and see how you do. maybe you don't need to. You are correct with issues related to work experience. I would take a month of vacation or personal leave instead and definitely not quit at all. There are ways to explain it to the Ad Coms but why add this extra hassle?

Quitting should be the last resort.

Skitalets · Answer

I agree -- if you're at the stage where you're willing to quit to study for the GMAT, what could possibly be lost by asking your boss to accommodate your studying (or just ask for fewer hours)? It seems kind of senseless to up and quit when the worst that could happen from asking for fewer hours/more flexible schedule is that you get fired. :-)

Anyhow, studying effectively for GMAT should definitely be easy to do on a 60 hour a week work schedule and should be possible with dedication on an 80 hour a week schedule. For better or worse, the test is the gateway to a life-changing (or at least career-changing) experience. It's worth making time for, even if it means you have no social life after work for a couple months.

billyjeans · Answer

I did something similar to nink did. I had the questions sets loaded on my tilt phone. I did practice problems wherever I went. People usually read wsj in the bathroom, I was busy doing SC or CR. You will be amazed how many practice you can do a day! Do them while you ride the train/bus, go take a dump (i used to take serveral a day during work when i was prep), waiting in the line at mcdonalds, waiting in the line at the dentist, going to the gym, before I sleep (can't sleep), waiting my girlfriend to put on makeup, waiting my gf change while shopping. I think you can do 50 problems a day easily!

If you prep for 3 month, that 50x90=4500problems grand total minimum, and if you try harder you can easily do 80x90=7200 practice problems in 3 month without even putting any strain on your lifestyle.

I know your situation might be different than mine, but I think to quit your job to study for GMAT is a big mistake. The whole reason to get MBA is to get ahead at work, not quitting! You can do it, bro! Grind this out, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

pm4553 · Answer

Wow! I wish I had that kind of dedication.

Pathfinder · Answer

I moved into another depratment just to have more time to study for GMAT and CFA. Specificaly, I accepted higher position in lower ranked department (slower career advancement, fewer opportunities for promotions, somewhat boring job) and than explained it something like "I rounded up the whole process of XYZ, having x years of experience here and y there. Now it is the right time to do an MBA."

That way, I had more time to study, showed clear career progress and got the answer to the "Why now" question. :wink:

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phoenix09 · Answer

Speaking as someone who has been out of work (finance) for several months and is having a nasty experience re-entering the workforce, I suggest you keep your job and make arrangements around it. It can be done. Every half hour here and there adds up, you just need to become more efficient with your time. Cut out things that take up time that you can do w/o.

Treat it like any goal, marathon etc. Break it up into small benchmarks. Do 10 questions on the train to work, 10 at lunch, 10 train home, 10 before bed, etc..........before you know it you will be able to walk into a Petersens center and sit for a high score....

tashu · Answer

If you are feeling down watch this movie. How this guy managed to achieve his goal with all the obstacles. It is based on true life story of Chris Gardner. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454921/

perfectstranger · Answer

I think it's a bad idea . For B-schools , it's important to you have work experience as well as GMAT score. Top schools want at least two years experience IMO. The best plan is to study GMAT is spreading your study to time . All the world is suffering from economic recession or depression in that time it's a fault to give up your job. I work 40 hours a week , yet I spent 6 hours for studying and 6 hours(max) for sleeping.

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