Profile Evaluation - GMAT 710, WE 3+ yrs. (India, US), Hold Master's

Question

Hello,

Can you please help evaluate my profile. Thanks.

General Information:
Nationality - Indian
Gender - Male
Age - 25

GMAT - 710 (Q48, V40, IR5, AWA5) (1st and only attempt)

Academics:
M.S. Mechanical Engineering - State University of New York, Stony Brook - Class of 2011
CGPA: 3.58 (Completed in 1.5 yrs. with research thesis and one conference paper)

B.E. Mechanical Engineering (sandwich) - University of Pune, India - Class of 2010
GPA: 71.46% - First class with Distinction (In the top 15 in the university) - Among the top 10% during all four years.
The sandwich course is a combination of classroom coursework and industry experience. During the 4 yrs of engineering we do classroom coursework for 3 yrs. and work FT for 1 yr. (6 months in Junior year, and 6 months in Senior year).

Work Experience:
- Ford Motor Company, Michigan (2+ yrs.) - Held two positions;
1. Value management engineer (currently holding) - Design automotive components and manage the cost of these components. I work with all the different suppliers to generate cost saving ideas and then with the different groups internally (Marketing, Finance, Engineering) to implement the changes.
2. Design variation engineer - Managed the deliverable's of the different groups internally (Engineering, Clay modelling, etc.) to ensure the new model vehicles are issue free and have a smooth launch.

- Valeo, Michigan (7 months) - Mechanical design engineer - Worked with OEM (Nissan) and suppliers for designing and release of automotive engine cooling components.

- Intelligent Product Solutions, New York (14 months) - Mechanical engineering co-op - Worked as a engineering services consultant for Motorola solutions. Worked with the Motorola 'Customer Response Team' to resolve design/functionality issues that the customers face in the field.

- Bosch, India (6 months during senior year) - Mechanical Engineer - Worked in the process planning group to improve the efficiency of the manufacturing processes by introducing new technology and making process design changes. On one of my bigger projects saved INR 1.66 million/year cost to company.

- Thermax, India (6 months during junior year) - Mechanical Engineer - Worked in the safety engineering group and implemented safety improving equipment's in the factory.

Extracurricular's:
- 2 patents for a 'Hinge design'.
- District level Basketball player (during high school).
- Finalist at a national level 'Robotics' competition (during undergrad). Participated in about 7 competitions.
- Extraordinary effort/performance award from Ford.

Target programs:
- ISB-Hyderabad - Class of 2016 (Round 2).

Post MBA goal:
- Want to work as Brand/Product Manager in a technology/consumer products industry in Asia.

Thanks
Sagar

MBADecoder · Answer

Hi Sagar,

You have it going good for you. ISB is going to love you because of the heavy international work experience. However, don't let this make you complacent at all. Put in your best into the application, and you'll rock.

Just wondering why you are not applying to any other b-school?

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

Dear Sagar,

A few more perspectives on the profile:
 
  Though the work experience looks good at the outset, the relatively short stints (especially at Valeo) could do with some explanation. Moving from automotive OEM to Tier 1 and then with Motorola too looks a bit random - you'll have to make sure you weave these changes as part of a larger plan (if true) or defend them well in the application 
  Though the GMAT is just about average for the school, but your good academic performance and international experience will definitely help there 
  Your post-MBA goal isnt super clear. Brand and Product Management can be really very different things - many high-tech firms may not be B2C and brand management may not be possible there. With your experience, FMCG will be a HUGE shift and not recommended. It is also not clear when you say technology if you mean the high-tech space or the IT/applications space. Another thing to bear in mind is ISB would primarily mean an Indian (and not even Asian) career. Clarity on all these fronts will go a long way in presenting a coherent story

Hope this sparks a few more thoughts

Cheers,

sanantwar · Answer

Hello MG4MBACrystalBall / MBADecoder,

Thank you for your feedback. And I completely agree with the points made by MG4MBACrystalBall. I am planning to address these issues mainly the frequent changing of jobs question in my 300 words goals essay (I am also expecting the AdComs to ask, "what will prevent me from doing this post MBA?"). I plan to have a career in India (which is what I meant by Asia). Also, please find below my short-term and long-term goals to address the concern. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.

My story for changing jobs and my long and short term goals.

My longer term aim is to take up the role as a VP/Director in the technology industry (Amazon, Microsoft, Google or a similar firm). During my job after master's as an engineer at Ford working on design variation issue resolution I gained valuable problem-solving, people management and decision making skills but, in-due time the number of challenges and the scope for growth reduced so I decided to take on a different role. In my next job, while working on product designs and managing product cost I gained finance management skills. When I was presented my current opportunity, I found the position more challenging as it required me to think differently, for each project was different from the other. My current position, has taught me to look at things differently and question everything.

Following my MBA I wish to join the technology industry as a Brand Manager. But, to achieve my goal of becoming a successful Brand Manager I lack sales, marketing and overall finance skills and the PGP from ISB will prepare me for this journey.

Thanks
Sagar

GeneralEducation · Answer

Hi Sagar,

You have remarkable profile. And you have very good chances of getting admission to ISB. You may also try your chances of getting admission to other top B-Schools by trying this chances of B-School tool  https://bit.ly/1rRCod5

Hope that helps.

Cheers!

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

Sagar,

A detailed essay review is beyond the scope of public forums but overall, the pitch looks a bit generic and the post-MBA goal is still not correctly worded in my opinion. Make sure you have done enough research and know the right industry terminology!

Cheers,

Profile Evaluation - GMAT 710, WE 3+ yrs. (India, US), Hold Master's

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