MBA + Strategy Career + R2I

[desihometown]

I'm in (kind of) a fix.

Need suggestions from folks with MBA who have done this type of thing or
any folks who have insight into this. No speculation please. This is a real situation.

Anyways, I have around 8 years experience in wireless/embedded world.

I want to try out a career in strategy (corporate/product) or try starting a
business of my own with VC funding if available.

I'm expecting an admission from a top tier US MBA school for part-time MBA
in a week or two. (I think I'm in. But I'm waiting for formal confirmation)

The deal is, the MBA will cost me around 100K USD (all inclusive) and will take 3 years from now to complete. My employer is not giving me anything for this. (They dont particualrly care about MBA).
So, assuming I self finance this, I'm trying to figure out the ROI on this.
(both in the US and in India).

Could someone please comment on what kind of strategy roles are available to someone who just graduates with a MBA (assume its a top 10 school) ?
(both US and India)
I'm not too keen on a consulting role which involves travel every week.
That is why I'm looking for sticking with strategy roles in tech companies
with minimal travel.

Now, 3 years from now, is when I'm contemplating R2I as well. So, is the ROI going to be pretty poor if I do this and R2I immediately. What roles in strategy/management are available in India ? Is the fresh MBA going to be
a disadvantage ? Would I need to work in business roles in US before R2Iing ? Are salaries in strategy/middle management roles in INdia comparable to
(say) technology management roles ?

This number (100K) really scares me. (although I can afford it, I'm not sure If I can recover it). I suppose, if one goes to Ibanking/MC, they can recover it faster.

Any inputs would be welcome.
Thanks
DHT

[nand]

strategy roles are not necessarily higher paying at the entry level. Where you gain in strategy roles is that you have visibility into top management and they may start to know you. That part is good.

I dont think other than consulting or ibanking the MBA will strictly pay off in a monetary sense. And if you are moving to India, a top school MBA is no different from a local one in general. Also most of the MBA jobs will be in mumbai or delhi as the corporate offices are out there. think about all these things.

disclaimer: I am a top school MBA

[r2i_100]

I agree with #2.

The only strategy roles that could be high paying will be with consulting companies - Bain and BCG are good examples. Else, selectively you can also enter boutique consulting outfits that solely specialize in "strategy". Clayton Christensen (harvard prof and author of Innovator's Dilema) has a boutique firm - Innosight, that's a good example as well.

Strategy, I Banking, M&A roles pay high. Strategy in a big mature company like AMD, Intel is all big bull. Typically strategy in these companies is handled at the Executive level and it is very hard to get into that layer soon after an MBA.

After a few years of practice in a consulting company, then a mid management level job in fortune 10 company, you could settle down doing strategy work in a medium size company at the exec level Or start your own company.

FYI: I have MBA from a top tier school as well.

Good Luck for your admission. MBA is fun and gruelling. Seen several 4am mornings....[/quote]
Most large companies have Strategy groups, initially within company transfer is the best bet to gain experience, the biggest advantage is that internal candidates generally don't start from the very bottom, where as if you look outside you may have to start afresh as your past technical experience may not always be counted. There are M&A, venture groups as well that you can consider. the best is if you ask your transfer after you get admission and say 1 year before you complete you MBA .

[babu_babu]

I'm in (kind of) a fix.

Need suggestions from folks with MBA who have done this type of thing or
any folks who have insight into this. No speculation please. This is a real situation.

Anyways, I have around 8 years experience in wireless/embedded world.

I want to try out a career in strategy (corporate/product) or try starting a
business of my own with VC funding if available.

I'm expecting an admission from a top tier US MBA school for part-time MBA
in a week or two. (I think I'm in. But I'm waiting for formal confirmation)

The deal is, the MBA will cost me around 100K USD (all inclusive) and will take 3 years from now to complete. My employer is not giving me anything for this. (They dont particualrly care about MBA).
So, assuming I self finance this, I'm trying to figure out the ROI on this.
(both in the US and in India).

Could someone please comment on what kind of strategy roles are available to someone who just graduates with a MBA (assume its a top 10 school) ?
(both US and India)
I'm not too keen on a consulting role which involves travel every week.
That is why I'm looking for sticking with strategy roles in tech companies
with minimal travel.

Now, 3 years from now, is when I'm contemplating R2I as well. So, is the ROI going to be pretty poor if I do this and R2I immediately. What roles in strategy/management are available in India ? Is the fresh MBA going to be
a disadvantage ? Would I need to work in business roles in US before R2Iing ? Are salaries in strategy/middle management roles in INdia comparable to
(say) technology management roles ?

This number (100K) really scares me. (although I can afford it, I'm not sure If I can recover it). I suppose, if one goes to Ibanking/MC, they can recover it faster.

Any inputs would be welcome.
Thanks
DHT[/quote]


The ROI logic is simple:

If you are married and planning to work for at least 5 years after your MBA, it is worth it. At the end of the 8th year from now, you should have earned at least 200k extra apart from your existing salary, which is 25k per year.

If you are married and planning to R2I immediately and work , it is NOT worth it. Instead, R2I first and then do MBA in india, for the qualification sake.

If you are unmarried, and planning to get married after MBA, it is worth it.

[DoctorJ]

The ROI logic is simple:
...
..
.
If you are unmarried, and planning to get married after MBA, it is worth it.[/quote]
How so??? Can you please explain?
================================================
I'd rather seek clarification than jump to a wrong conclusion. -DJ :cool:

[babu_babu]

How so??? Can you please explain?
================================================
I'd rather seek clarification than jump to a wrong conclusion. -DJ :cool:[/quote]

It is clear that, OP is looking to get into next (elite) class boundary, by upgrading his Qualification. That will bring him same class girl too.

Assumptions made: OP has still enrgy to study even after working eight years means he would not have girl friend too. (My apologies to OP, if this assumption is not correct).

[r2i_100]

True. But decision to adopt the strategy needs executive blessing. Strategy group still does a lot of ground work and number crunching. There is light travel.

M&A strategy in large companies that acquire frequently is fun and interesting - e.g., Cisco, Oracle, IBM, etc. Working for such groups also gives you the experience to create a fantastic rolodex, superb networking and opens up your vista for future hiring in the CxO level. [/quote]

Another option is to join the venture group (that funds startups) within the company, typically big companies have 20-30 people group that funds startups.

Caution: It's tough to get into these groups . Catch 22 - you already should be networkign with those groups before setting foot into the MBA program.[/quote]

[desihometown]

It is clear that, OP is looking to get into next (elite) class boundary, by upgrading his Qualification. That will bring him same class girl too.

Assumptions made: OP has still enrgy to study even after working eight years means he would not have girl friend too. (My apologies to OP, if this assumption is not correct).[/quote]

Been married 5 years. Interested in getting into management roles. Not too keen on engg. project management although I can get this opportunity in a couple of years. Wife supportive of MBA if I get into it.
Also, this is UCLA Anderson. I will have to commute to LA every saturday from San Jose :-) Made the mistake of not applying to Berkeley PT. Had a good chance. But I applied to full time there and got waitlisted. Not keen on waiting 1 more year.

The point is, I have to think in 2 dimensions. Career growth in management + R2I. It would have been an easier decision if I wanted to hang out in the US for the next 10 years.

Excellent points from all folks above.

[desihometown]

Most large companies have Strategy groups, initially within company transfer is the best bet to gain experience, the biggest advantage is that internal candidates generally don't start from the very bottom, where as if you look outside you may have to start afresh as your past technical experience may not always be counted. There are M&A, venture groups as well that you can consider. the best is if you ask your transfer after you get admission and say 1 year before you complete you MBA .[/quote]

Good point. I had established comm with the VC firm of my company a while ago. Have a contact there. Will check with them if they can interview/hire me after the first year. Also, if I can get into their team, they can pick some of the tab of the MBA tuition.

If this does not work, I'm not really sure about the RoI and RoP (p="pain") with doing the MBA, particularly since I want to R2I in the next 3-4 years.

I'm really keen on getting the fundamentals of economics, finance, strategy, investments etc., apart from career growth.
But, the cost is just too much, if the career growth is not apparent/left to chance.

[vijay]

desihometown,
excellent endeavor, best of luck.

I understand you were willing to finance the MBA on your own. I assume that means a student loan. I wonder what the actual numbers are if you were to R2i and attempt to pay back the loan from an Indian salary.
I would suggest a comprimise of working in South asia or middle east till the time the loan is paid off.
my2c