180 degree career shift

nick_mask · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 8:51 am Post subject: 180 degree career shift

Hi,

I just want to get your view on the issue of career shift. I have an engineering education form the best school in India. For 9 months after my post-grad, I worked in an automobile company. However, since I always wanted a more quantitative role, I decided to shift to a reputed marketing analytics and consulting firm. In the current company, where I have worked for close to 1.5 years now, I design statistical models and have so far consulted various reputed companies.

My question is, will such a dramatic shift in career go down badly with the ad com? Or, what is the best way to present or defend this shift?

Thanks in anticipation

VP_MBA_Guru · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:31 am Post subject:

Hi Nick,

Thanks for your post!

From AdCom's perspective, there is nothing wrong with making a career switch, provided you explain your rationale. In your essays, describe your interest for more quant-oriented work, which lead to joining the new company. At the same time, do not down play your previous experience. Demonstrate that you were successful in the previous position, but realized you wanted more quant work.

Here is something to consider (without knowing your post-MBA career interests): when answering the WHY MBA question... you could argue that your interest (and success) in quant-oriented work has led you to pursue an MBA. For example, you are interested in transitioning from market analysis to advanced finance and therefore require an MBA. Since you have some consulting experience from your current position, you could make a similar argument about transiting into management consulting.

Regards,

NP

nick_mask · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 10:32 am Post subject:

thank you nikhil

VP_MBA_Guru · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:31 am Post subject:

Happy to help. Good luck -

NP