Trying to figure out if I am Indian IT male and ways I can stand out

Question

My Background:

Indian-American (US Citizen)

Undergrad from a pretty good Southern school (think Vanderbilt, Rice, Emory)

Graduated with a double major in Computer Science and English Literature

Work Experience:

2 years as a software engineer at a Fortune 100 Pharmaceutical company (building Salesforce apps, data engineering, backend configuration)

1 year as product manager on a data strategy initiative at the pharma company to improve forecasting and data quality (heavy data and analytics focus, worked with data engineers).

I will have an additional year of experience as product manager by the time I apply. I will be a PM on a Generative AI initiative to help with internal corporate strategy at the F100 pharma company (will be working with pharma program managers, data engineers and data scientists)

I will have two years of product management experience when I apply. Will I be seen by the admission committee as an Indian IT male? Or would my sector (Pharmaceuticals) and title (product manager) put me in the Healthcare/Pharma product manager bucket?

If am going to be placed in the Indian IT male bucket, what can I do to make myself look less like a stereotypical Indian IT male applicant? Would working on something at the company that isn't technology related help? (for example, a product manager working on wearable health tracking pilot projects?)

I'm aiming for T25 schools (full time MBA). Thanks a bunch.

MBAGuide · Answer

Hi austinmba hope you are doing great I am wondering how you developed the notion that you would be compared with Indian applicants

If you are a US citizen, you will be considered part of the US applicant pool and evaluated accordingly. However, living at the intersection of multiple cultures, you can enrich your stories with a fascinating mix of perspectives and experiences. Regardless of the applicant pool, your experience as a software engineer and then in product management within the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in working on forecasting models, is quite interesting. Your plans (goals) for leveraging your prior experience in pharma and technical expertise alongside pursuing an MBA will play an important role in determining whether the admissions committees see you as an excellent fit for their programs. At first glance, your profile appears promising. Best wishes Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer) MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

AdmitExpert · Answer

Hi austinmba , Your Indian heritage and US citizenship can make for a good story and be an advantage to you Admission committees are likely to view you as a healthcare/pharma product manager rather than an Indian IT male. You need to highlight your uniqueness, your work contributions and impact including any leadership experiences, and craft a compelling narrative that explains your goals clearly and your genuine enthusiasm for the specific school. Additionally, your double major in Computer Science and English Literature can be used to show your ability to effectively communicate complex ideas. Your multicultural background can further strengthen this idea and show your capability to navigate the increasingly interconnected business landscape. Overall, your profile seems competitive and we don't see why you should worry about being seen as an overrepresented Indian male. If you create good application materials, you will be a competitive candidate for most schools on your list. For a more detailed 1-1 strategy session, please write to contactus@admitexpert.com or fill the form at http://www.admitexpert.com Good luck!

austinmba · Answer

Thank you both for your detailed responses

MBAandBeyond · Answer

Hey austinmba , Thank you for sharing your profile. Your profile looks good on the surface. To begin with, graduating with a double major in Computer Science and English Literature from a reputable Southern school demonstrates a well-rounded educational background. This combination of technical skills and proficiency in literature can showcase your diverse interests and intellectual capabilities. Speaking about your work experience, your experience as a software engineer at a Fortune 100 Pharmaceutical company, followed by transitioning to a product manager role, demonstrates your ability to work in both technical and strategic capacities. The focus on data, analytics, and working with cross-functional teams adds value to your profile. While you mention concerns about being seen as an Indian IT male applicant, your sector (Pharmaceuticals) and role as a product manager in healthcare/pharma-related initiatives can differentiate you from the stereotypical IT candidate. Emphasize your industry knowledge, the impact of your work on healthcare/pharma outcomes, and your understanding of the complexities of the industry. Additionally, leveraging your background in English Literature could help highlight your communication and storytelling skills. Although you didn't mention specific extracurricular activities, highlighting any involvement outside of work that demonstrates leadership, teamwork, community engagement, or other relevant skills would add depth to your profile and make you stand out. To make yourself look less like a stereotypical Indian IT male applicant, consider the following strategies: 1. Showcasing Industry Impact: Emphasize the unique challenges and impact you've had in the healthcare/pharma sector. Highlight projects, initiatives, or collaborations that demonstrate your understanding of the industry and your ability to contribute beyond technical expertise. 2. Leadership and Soft Skills: Showcase your leadership abilities, collaboration skills, and ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders. Highlight examples of leading cross-functional teams, managing projects, and driving innovation in a corporate setting. 3. Extracurricular Involvement: Engage in extracurricular activities that are outside the realm of technology to demonstrate a well-rounded profile. This could include volunteering, participating in community initiatives, or pursuing hobbies that showcase your broader interests and passions. 4. Essays and Recommendations: Leverage your essays and recommendations to provide a comprehensive picture of who you are beyond your professional background. Share personal stories, challenges overcome, and lessons learned that highlight your unique perspective and individuality. When considering T25 schools for your full-time MBA, research each school thoroughly to understand their values, curriculum, and fit with your future goals. Consider schools that have strong healthcare or pharma programs or those that emphasize technology and entrepreneurship. Some examples include: Duke University (Fuqua) University of Michigan (Ross) University of Texas at Austin (McCombs) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler) Indiana University (Kelley) Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper) Overall your profile looks good, and you stand a chance at the top B-schools. Remember, your profile is not solely defined by your ethnicity or professional background. It's essential to highlight your unique experiences, achievements, and potential for growth and contribution to the MBA community. We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools. Book a free profile evaluation call now! Good luck with your application process! Neha Hadke Strategy Manager Testimonials Meet our Panel of Consultants. Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com MBA and Beyond

ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hello austinmba , Apologies for the delayed response but we hope this finds you in time still. If you are a US citizen, you needn't worry about belonging to an over-represented pool of Indian applicants.

On the flip side, you should utilize the mixed heritage to really add interesting talking points to your essays. You appear to have a strong profile as per the information you have shared with us; however, there are a fair bit of details you have missed out from your post. In any case, if you have a strong theme going for you as well as a narrative that does justice to your case, you should be able to make it to some of your target programs. All the best!

Trying to figure out if I am Indian IT male and ways I can stand out

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