How important is working in well known companies

[chaitu_suvanam]

Hi all,

I am currently working with CFO of $1.5 Bn group helping him in Equity & debt fund raising and other strategic initiatives with in the company.

How ever the group I am working is not an MNC (Indian promoter driven company). Now i have option to take up not-so-good role in companies well known in US like CITI or Deutsche bank etc. So please help me sort out this question...


How much will it be useful to work in a brand that is known in US compared to working with Top management in Indian company at strategic levels? I have gone through students profile of few B.Schools and very rarely come across people coming from lesser known companies...

Thoughts please?? Should I make a shift to well known brands before applying for B.Schools??

[Bryant@VeritasPrep]

I fyou are applying to US schools from India, you can definitely help distinguish yourself by working for a Fortune 500 US company. Many Indian applicants lack work experience in the WEst, and trust me, as an Indian applicant, you need all the uniqueness you can get because your applicant pool is very deep with thousands of applicants of Indian origin applying every year.

[Kaneisha Grayson]

Hi chaitu_suvanam,

First of all, congratulations on your work experience thus far working with top management of your company. This is something that few people have the opportunity to do pre-MBA and that many MBAs don't get to do in a meaningful way until years after they graduate from their programs.

I'm going to strongly disagree with Bryant.

AdCom members aren't blindly looking at your application for buzzwords (or buzz-companies in your case) that jump out at them. They are looking for meaningful work experience where you have been able to grow as a leader, learn more about your strengths and weaknesses, and have an impact. If you are getting these things in your present role, are enjoying the work you are doing, and foresee growth opportunities in your role at your current company, I do not recommend that you jump ship for (what you call) a not-so-good role with a US company. Yes, having work experience with a US-based company would be a strength in your application, but it can also turn on you and be a weakness if that work experience ends up not helping you stand out.

Yes, as an Indian national, you do have many other people applying who share your national origin, but you should not sacrifice your professional development (and gamble by "guessing" what AdCom members will like) by taking a job you are fairly certain will be less rewarding than your current one.

I wish you the best of luck with your applications and congrats on having options!

Kaneisha

[chaitu_suvanam]

Thanks to both of you (Kaneisha and Bryant).

I have made up my mind to give preference to role over company. Also I am thinking of this only one step at a time. So first I'm concentrating on GMAT, which I will be giving by May end. I hope that's enough time to prepare.


Once again thanks to both for taking time and interest in my query,

Chaitanya

[Kaneisha Grayson]

Hi Chaitanya,

I'm pleased to hear that. If you continue to pursue roles that interest, challenge, and excite you, you will not go wrong. And this isn't just me saying that. They pounded this into our heads at HBS (in a loving way).

Kaneisha