Hi,
I am an Indian female with six years of experience, currently working as an Operations Manager in a consumer goods company in India. I’ve received admission offers from Ivey, RSM, ESMT, and SMU for their full-time MBA programs, starting in January/Spring 2025.
My career goal is to transition into consulting, specifically focusing on operational excellence. My work experience spans finance, project management, and operations, making my professional background quite diverse. While this diversity was manageable during the application/admissions process, I’m concerned about how it might affect my job search post-MBA, especially in securing high-paying roles. I assume employers prefer to hire MBA grads with extensive expertise in a single domain.
From my research and conversations with alumni, I understand that each school has its strengths and challenges:
Ivey: The school is strong in consulting, but I’ve learned that only a small percentage of students secure top-tier consulting roles. Considering the high cost of the program, I’m concerned about the return on investment, especially given the adverse job market in Canada.
ESMT: Feedback suggests that German employers tend to favor graduates from other top German schools, and there are concerns about the effectiveness of the career services at ESMT. Only about 60% of the school's MBA graduates find jobs within 3 months post graduation and the career services don't help much said some.
RSM: Similar concerns have been raised about the career services at RSM, and I’ve also heard about challenges faced by international students, particularly those from Asia, in their treatment specially from the faculty's end. There seems to be bare minimum to no support from the caeer services department of the school.
SMU: Most SMU MBA graduates seem to get into banking. I’ve been informed that consulting opportunities might be more limited, and the market may favor candidates with tech backgrounds.
I’ve also heard that most employers in these countries tend to favor international candidates with engineering or tech backgrounds for post-MBA roles. Is that accurate? Given my non-tech background, I’m concerned about how this might impact my job prospects.
Another thing I've noticed is that employment outcomes post MBA seem to be inflated and exaggerated by the schools considering what alumni have to say about the same.
Language barriers in Germany and the Netherlands also pose a challenge, although I’m actively learning both languages, hoping to initially secure an English-speaking role before transitioning into a more local context.
Given these insights, I’m finding it difficult to justify the significant financial investment required for an MBA, especially with the challenges in securing high-paying jobs in these regions. I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice from those familiar with these programs or who have navigated similar decisions.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
I am an Indian female with six years of experience, currently working as an Operations Manager in a consumer goods company in India. I’ve received admission offers from Ivey, RSM, ESMT, and SMU for their full-time MBA programs, starting in January/Spring 2025.
My career goal is to transition into consulting, specifically focusing on operational excellence. My work experience spans finance, project management, and operations, making my professional background quite diverse. While this diversity was manageable during the application/admissions process, I’m concerned about how it might affect my job search post-MBA, especially in securing high-paying roles. I assume employers prefer to hire MBA grads with extensive expertise in a single domain.
From my research and conversations with alumni, I understand that each school has its strengths and challenges:
Ivey: The school is strong in consulting, but I’ve learned that only a small percentage of students secure top-tier consulting roles. Considering the high cost of the program, I’m concerned about the return on investment, especially given the adverse job market in Canada.
ESMT: Feedback suggests that German employers tend to favor graduates from other top German schools, and there are concerns about the effectiveness of the career services at ESMT. Only about 60% of the school's MBA graduates find jobs within 3 months post graduation and the career services don't help much said some.
RSM: Similar concerns have been raised about the career services at RSM, and I’ve also heard about challenges faced by international students, particularly those from Asia, in their treatment specially from the faculty's end. There seems to be bare minimum to no support from the caeer services department of the school.
SMU: Most SMU MBA graduates seem to get into banking. I’ve been informed that consulting opportunities might be more limited, and the market may favor candidates with tech backgrounds.
I’ve also heard that most employers in these countries tend to favor international candidates with engineering or tech backgrounds for post-MBA roles. Is that accurate? Given my non-tech background, I’m concerned about how this might impact my job prospects.
Another thing I've noticed is that employment outcomes post MBA seem to be inflated and exaggerated by the schools considering what alumni have to say about the same.
Language barriers in Germany and the Netherlands also pose a challenge, although I’m actively learning both languages, hoping to initially secure an English-speaking role before transitioning into a more local context.
Given these insights, I’m finding it difficult to justify the significant financial investment required for an MBA, especially with the challenges in securing high-paying jobs in these regions. I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice from those familiar with these programs or who have navigated similar decisions.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
