1. To Be or Not To Be ?
Post MBA Blues, Glamour, Reality & Expectations of experienced
(8+ yrs.) full time MBA grads
Nachi Sharma
2012 MSBA General Management
Simon Graduate School of Business
University of Rochester
2001 NIT Trichy
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2. Introduction
• 2012 MSBA General Management from Simon Graduate School of
Business- University of Rochester
• 2001 Bachelor of Engineering from NIT, Trichy
• Post MSBA had offers from:
– Ernst & Young- PI- SCM Group
– Dell’s Procurement Strategy & Analytics Consulting
– Deloitte’s Oracle Practice ( Same as Previous Job)
– Interest from Private Equity ( What does that mean ? )
• Shortlisted for McKinsey’s BTO
• Networked with close to 100 executive leaders
(CEO’s, VP’s)
• Founder of Sandhi (A 501c3 Non Profit)
• Supply Chain Consulting Manager with Wipro US
12/30/2012 Confidential 2

3. Agenda
• Why MBA ?
• During MBA
• Hiring Challenges & Expectations
• Post MBA
• Next Steps
12/30/2012 Confidential 3

4. Why MBA ?
• What did I do after NIT, Trichy ?
– Is brand important ?
– What you make of brand ?
– Focus on learning and content
• How would my job be different after MBA ?
• Critical Decisions
– Cost
– Lost Salary
– Role Post MBA
• What are my personal strengths and weaknesses?
– Business Communication 
– Consulting Mindset 
– People Oriented 
– Strategic 
– Too quantitative 
– Ability to handle large datasets (thousands of rows in excel) 
• Look at your life story – Instances which excited you
– Was it the code
12/30/2012 Confidential 4

5. During MBA
• Study with lot younger, learning style could be different
• Networking
– Meet people, share story, find the fit and opportunities will follow
– Above all , stay genuine
• Some exciting courses and what I learnt
– Managerial Economics – Introduction to Economics
• People act out of their own self interest
– Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Basic Accounting
– Why some companies issue bonds and some equity ?-Corporate Finance
– How do I price my consulting services ?- Marketing Management
– How do I allocate decision rights ? Organization Architecture
– How do you evaluate investments ( New Company, Product, Project) – Corporate Finance
– How do I decide on my next product launch - Game Theory
– Supply Chain Management Concepts
– Business Modeling- Helps in What-If Analysis, Pricing Decisions. I don’t use it.
• Take more courses to build depth in certain areas
December 30, 2012 Confidential 5

6. Getting a Job
• US hiring is highly networked
• Professor’s Feedback
• Alumni Feedback
• CMC’s Feedback
• Think of things your friend’s notice about you
• Its not what you say but what you do that matters
• Grades only will not take you any where. Traditional shift in
mindset.
• At the end, its what you are good at!
December 30, 2012 Confidential 6

7. Hiring Challenges
• Highly experienced in one industry
• Role expectations
• Previous salary and your expectations
• Highly paid jobs other then Finance were in Consulting.
– Flip side was traveling
– Consider your life situation, age, stage of life. Can you do it ? Is it worth it ?
– Switching career can be very-very difficult. Its not impossible. Be ready to compromise on
salary, role etc.
• Some typical roles with technology background are:
– Product Managers
– Consultants ( IT, Strategy)
– Business Analysts
December 30, 2012 Confidential 7

8. Post MBA
• Business Graduate from one of better known schools in east
coast
• Lifelong network of US/global business leaders
– This could be important if you are going to stay in US. But , useless, if you don’t contribute to
it. Focus on giving.
• Attend NIT Alumni meets
• Attend Simon Alumni meets
• Loan of USD 42000
• Cost of Living USD 25000 ( With Family)
• Lost Salary of 1 Year
12/30/2012 Confidential 8

9. Roadmap
Look at long term
horizon (5-10 yrs.)
Keep learning and
Make stakeholders seize opportunities
successful
( Friends, Peers, Co-Workers,
Focus on giving Alumni, Company, Community &
Family)
Contribute to
your networks
12/30/2012 Confidential 9

10. Thank You
12/30/2012 Confidential 10