Profile Evaluation- Help

[ashu23202]

Hi,

Please provide expert advice over my brief profile.

Indian male,26, Engineer, Industry: Elearning (Instructional Design), 3 years exp.
GMAT: 720

I joined my firm as a Linux engineer, but shifted to Instructional design, due to interest in it.

Served as a module lead, and provided consulting to clients and sales teams over the learning strategies to use in various projects. Though this is in e-learning and is rudimentary skill, am planning to switch to strategy consulting, as i find myself innovative; plus, the line matches, somewhat, to my existing profile.

1.) Am i planning a far-fetched jump?
2.) Is Instructional Design viewed as healthy as any other IT experience?
3.) Am i at an advantage due to diversity in my profile (at least, somewhat different)?
4.) Is, zilch experience in strategy consulting viewed negatively by employers after US/UK MBA, considering the fact that there are no campus placements at US/UK schools.
5.) How big is a school's brand name in getting a job in my field of choice, post MBA? ( this factor alone, not others)
6.) Please suggest how does the future market for strategy consulting look like.
7.)Is targeting a 15-20 month program less advantageous than a conventional 2 year program?

Thanks and Regards,
Ashutosh

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Ashutosh,

1.) Am i planning a far-fetched jump?
It is not a far-fetched jump, but it moving to strategy consulting is a significant career change for you. Additionally, strategy consulting firms are highly selective so the competition to secure an opportunity is fierce.

2.) Is Instructional Design viewed as healthy as any other IT experience?
3.) Am i at an advantage due to diversity in my profile (at least, somewhat different)?
To be honest, I don't really see how your profile is different from the large number of other Indian engineers with IT experience. While your experience is in instructional design, it is still in IT. Your details on other aspects are very brief, so I don't see any other points of differentiation offered.

4.) Is, zilch experience in strategy consulting viewed negatively by employers after US/UK MBA, considering the fact that there are no campus placements at US/UK schools.
5.) How big is a school's brand name in getting a job in my field of choice, post MBA? ( this factor alone, not others)
For any industry, having previous industry experience can be helpful. For consulting, have specific industry experience can also be helpful as consulting firms work with companies in multiple industries. However, IT sector experience is highly common in the applicant pool for strategy consulting firms, so it is not necessarily industry experience that will be an asset for you. Where you get your MBA does matter for some industries, and not as much for other industries. For top tier strategy consulting firms, going to an MBA program where there is a recruiting relationship and/or alumni connection can be an advantage as it gives you a point of access to start your networking. However, the name of the school does not guarantee anyone a job in any company or industry, and there have been people that have landed a job with a strategy firm that graduated from schools not on the recruiting list.

6.) Please suggest how does the future market for strategy consulting look like.
Companies will always need help; it comes down to whether or not they can afford it. Strategy consulting, much like any other industry, has its ups and downs in the market. And like in those industries, the firms that survive are the ones with the right leadership to navigate the challenges.

7.)Is targeting a 15-20 month program less advantageous than a conventional 2 year program?
It depends on how you view the differences between the two. Since you are wanting to make a career change, having an opportunity to do an internship can be valuable in redirecting your career and gaining relevant experience.

Good luck,
Lisa

[ashu23202]

Thanks Lisa. That was crisp and frank. I ll work on my Apps, keeping this in mind.


Regards,
Ashutosh