Job Dilemma : Credit Suisse versus Oracle Retail

[reetendrachauhan]

Hi,

I am a final year engineering student from India. I will be embarking on my professional career soon, and really needed advice on choosing from the jobs that I have in hand right now. I plan to work for 3 to 5 years and then apply for an MBA in the USA / Europe.

1) Credit Suisse:

I will be starting as a Risk Analyst. I have interned here, so have a fair idea of the place. The big pro with Credit Suisse is the brand value.

But the work is slightly back office, learning opportunities are slightly less as well, and there is very less opportunity to grow (in terms of increased responsibility, promotions etc). The back office where I am joining doesn't really support candidates leaving them for MBAs.

2) Oracle Retail:

The profile is related to Consulting / Analytics, and not software development. I will be advising retail clients on their inventory, discount, pricing strategy.

The pro is that there is scope for client interaction (limited, but still yes) if I stick around with the company for 3 years or so. The learning curve too is steep, and growth seems to be slightly better then that at Credit Suisse (although its too early to comment on this now). The team in Oracle supports candidates going for MBAs.

The con is that the brand value is not as high as Credit Suisse. There might be a chance that inspite of being in Retail Consulting, AdComs might stereotype me as an Indian IT professional (please correct me if I am wrong here), which forms a very large pool of applications. This might not give me an edge when it comes to being 'unique'.

I plan to go neither to finance nor to consulting post MBA, my aim is something like Brand Management / Marketing Strategy etc. Fortunately, the other aspects of my profile (GMAT, Undergraduate University Ranking, Undergraduate GPA, Extra Curriculars etc.) are really good I feel. I would really appreciate any advice on what I should choose.

Thank you so much.

[Heidi Granner]

reetendrachauhan,

Thanks for your post and congratulations on securing two attractive job offers.

My advice on deciding between the two is as follows:
-The jobs appear to require quite varied skillsets - I suggest reflecting on where you think you will do best. The most important dimension is that you are one of the strongest performers in your class of peers at the firm over the next 3-5 years.
-The Oracle Retail position seems like it would better prepare you for your later career goals, so that will be important in the eyes of the admissions officers
-Having the support from your firm (and the track record for sending employees) to MBA programs is important, so I would prioritize Oracle Retail in this dimension.
-It appears you would develop a broader and more relevant skillset at Oracle, so that seems to be a strength as well

While brand name is important, it is less important if there is not a strong track record for sending employees into MBA programs and if it is in a field where you don't plan to spend much time.

Good luck!

Best,
Heidi

[reetendrachauhan]

Thanks Heidi for all your help.

[reetendrachauhan]

Hi Heidi, I just had one last follow up question.

When you say ' (and the track record for sending employees) to MBA programs is important', do you imply the specific office / location of the firm should have a track record or the company in general ?

I am sure that Credit Suisse as a bank has a great track record of sending applicants to B Schools, its just that Credit Suisse is new to the country where I am, so the specific office might not have a good record.

Thanks a lot !