-
Semper Eruditio
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2011 5:56 pm
Hello,
I am in a bit of a dilemma. To frame the situation, the reader must understand that I am fully committed to applying to full-time MBA programs this year with the intent of matriculating in 2016. I am not flexible with this application timing due in part to my age (will be 35 at matriculation) and career momentum.
So here is the situation. I wear two hats at my company, serving as a consultant and an international adviser, and am based in the US. This week, a short term international rotational opportunity with my firm presented itself to me suddenly and urgently. The opportunity consists of 4-5 months in one of our foreign offices, and involves cross-training to develop US/foreign consulting skills sets. This rotation is highly selective as only 4 candidates (including myself) were informed of the opportunity directly from leadership. Unfortunately, there is not much time to decide as the rotation is tentatively set to begin early May of this year. That would mean being in the foreign country from May-Sept/Oct (critical months for the application process) of this year.
World travel and working together with people of different cultures are two of my passions, and I believe accepting this opportunity would further demonstrate my rapid career ascension, thus strengthening my candidacy. So what is the dilemma? Following through with this would mean making the below sacrifices, which could in turn diminish my candidacy.
1) GMAT and Essays: I just started studying for the GMAT and my intent was to take it late May/early June. I know it will be unrealistic for me to study for the GMAT while acclimating to a new work environment, new clients, with the added pressure to excel with the foreign firm and report back success to US leadership. Should I chose to accept the rotation, I would do myself a disservice by shortening my GMAT prep time and would be cramming the next month trying to sit for the exam (while logistically planning for the move) prior to leaving for the foreign country. Studying for the GMAT upon my return is not out of the question, but would mean foregoing round 1 applications, while leaving me in the undesirable situation of juggling work, studying, and application essays.
2) Veteran's Initiative: I am currently heavily involved in the launch of two separate employee organizations at my company. The organizations would serve as platforms to bring together underrepresented groups and give them a voice. My heavier involvement is with a proposed veteran's association, which is being led by myself and a fellow colleague who also happens to be a veteran. We are anticipating launch of the the veteran's association by early summer, and I know that strong leadership and direction will be critical at this early junction. Needless to say, I would not be able to give this the attention it needs.
3) Current Key Projects: I am currently assisting my company's national consulting leader, and working with affiliated firms in over 100 countries, on a project to streamline the global client pursuit process. Additionally, I am leading an internal operations process improvement project for our firm's international team in order to create efficiencies and improve upon the timeliness and accuracy of data and reporting.
Your insight as to whether heading abroad to pursue the international rotation, or staying put to focus on GMAT and local projects, would position me best as a candidate to a top program would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Semper Eruditio
I am in a bit of a dilemma. To frame the situation, the reader must understand that I am fully committed to applying to full-time MBA programs this year with the intent of matriculating in 2016. I am not flexible with this application timing due in part to my age (will be 35 at matriculation) and career momentum.
So here is the situation. I wear two hats at my company, serving as a consultant and an international adviser, and am based in the US. This week, a short term international rotational opportunity with my firm presented itself to me suddenly and urgently. The opportunity consists of 4-5 months in one of our foreign offices, and involves cross-training to develop US/foreign consulting skills sets. This rotation is highly selective as only 4 candidates (including myself) were informed of the opportunity directly from leadership. Unfortunately, there is not much time to decide as the rotation is tentatively set to begin early May of this year. That would mean being in the foreign country from May-Sept/Oct (critical months for the application process) of this year.
World travel and working together with people of different cultures are two of my passions, and I believe accepting this opportunity would further demonstrate my rapid career ascension, thus strengthening my candidacy. So what is the dilemma? Following through with this would mean making the below sacrifices, which could in turn diminish my candidacy.
1) GMAT and Essays: I just started studying for the GMAT and my intent was to take it late May/early June. I know it will be unrealistic for me to study for the GMAT while acclimating to a new work environment, new clients, with the added pressure to excel with the foreign firm and report back success to US leadership. Should I chose to accept the rotation, I would do myself a disservice by shortening my GMAT prep time and would be cramming the next month trying to sit for the exam (while logistically planning for the move) prior to leaving for the foreign country. Studying for the GMAT upon my return is not out of the question, but would mean foregoing round 1 applications, while leaving me in the undesirable situation of juggling work, studying, and application essays.
2) Veteran's Initiative: I am currently heavily involved in the launch of two separate employee organizations at my company. The organizations would serve as platforms to bring together underrepresented groups and give them a voice. My heavier involvement is with a proposed veteran's association, which is being led by myself and a fellow colleague who also happens to be a veteran. We are anticipating launch of the the veteran's association by early summer, and I know that strong leadership and direction will be critical at this early junction. Needless to say, I would not be able to give this the attention it needs.
3) Current Key Projects: I am currently assisting my company's national consulting leader, and working with affiliated firms in over 100 countries, on a project to streamline the global client pursuit process. Additionally, I am leading an internal operations process improvement project for our firm's international team in order to create efficiencies and improve upon the timeliness and accuracy of data and reporting.
Your insight as to whether heading abroad to pursue the international rotation, or staying put to focus on GMAT and local projects, would position me best as a candidate to a top program would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Semper Eruditio
