MBA for Hire

Life’s best lessons always seem to be learned at the worst times. I cannot say it better than this because right now, I’m on the verge of joining an MNC but this has come after months of perseverance, patience and waiting. But during this whole time of persistence I’ve learned a lot of lessons from colleagues, friends and my family. What I’m writing is only a reflection of what I have felt through this period of recuperation from the two year ambition-driven MBA program and what looked good all along is good, except that it really isn’t! My observations are not bread crumbs. They do not dissolve. They are from years of experience with a leading IT company and a melting pot of an institution. Most of it has also been shared on the internet via Twitter and I am happy to share them.

MBA Wallah

Indian MBA’s, particularly those from Tier II B-Schools are living in a state of delusion. Clearly, none of us, atleast with whom I graduated, and they are a major lot, are worthy of joining consultancies and MNC’s. Having done MBA, some of us can’t even have a casual talk with our own classmates. I ask myself, “What kind of businesses will they support?” It is a pitiful state. It is rarely a case where I have come across MBA folks who read and write well in English. They struggle. Simply struggle. I have always said this, communication skills with the use of flurry words and flashy accent will only show you the door, won’t let you enter. There is much room for improvement, to develop comprehensive English skills. I myself struggle a lot with the right dialect, the roll of tongue, thanks to where I come from. But I make ample and consistent efforts to correct myself, to improve and be effective in business communication - Business Communication! It is important to stay away from jargon, MBA lingo and stick to basics. The key is the ability to communicate clearly.

Although it does and I’m sure it did, make one proud to be talking about job titles, salary packages and other discussions around new life, new beginning, etc. (talks that make me sick and boring). Hundreds of them, and I say hundreds, will be quite content taking down orders and contributing substandard outputs with minimal ambition and definitely lacking in creativity. Their promises will be shattered, torn to bits and rattled on ground like dust. This happens when you’re under pressure and go on a wild goose chase, something I can accuse many of my friends who did during the campus placements. I fear, just like a lot of our seniors who job hopped every year, some of us will continue the trend. I have already come across a dozen of them who have shown signs of quitting their first job. A few of them have already done while few others are most likely doing so. Instead, what we must do is balance some of our talents with the demands in the industry that it is most suitable. But important to note and I was told that if one does not have good grades nor any relevant work experience he must not be averse to any company on campus. I agree. The problem is, we MBA wallah’s with our decorated degree and fancy job titles like to take on career on a cruise control mode. Big mistake! The truth will become more and more apparent as we continue to climb the corporate ladder. (I haven’t mentioned up or down, leaving it to the reader’s own imagination).

What I’m trying to say here is that I have already said, and am not trying anymore. Well, what I’m saying here is that MBA’s with whom I graduated, and I have to say this every time, lack the hunger and drive to take on responsibility for their own career. They do not wish to learn, invest or attend trainings. The problem is that this MBA tag gives them the right to feel and believe they know it all. But the grim truth is that this is only the beginning of learning and the desire to walk down a successful career track will only depend on how much more you learn and acquire by being inquisitive, by staying foolish and hungry (just quoting Steve Jobs). “Some of our greatest discoveries emerge from the state of being lost.” One of my favorite Bill Cosby lines. It is always best to join an organization which has a culture, which has tremendous room for learning and that helps one create a market value for himself/herself. So, by being lost in that big ocean, one will interact, observe and emulate the successes of others and in his/her own way carve his/her own.

MBA for Hire

Now let me tell you, Bill Cosby also said “Life is not Burger King, we can’t always have it our way”. I cannot agree more for I have always wanted to be in Facebook, and I used to say, “I don’t want to be on Facebook, I’d rather be in it” ever since I understood its business in bits and pieces, gave it all during the rigorous interviews and tests, but failed to get selected and still remains that elusive dream company to work with. So I started out with Facebook - my first real step towards a new career. Then I applied to a string of American MNC’s. As far as the processes are concerned, the less said the better. But I knew God always had a bigger plan for me than I had for myself. All I had to do was to wait and be patient. As part of any endeavor, logic takes you from one place to another and then, competency based on imagination and approach takes you places. I have learned that my ability based on my experience and education will put me on an interview with the recruiters but beyond that only my approach will see me through. This didn’t happen with any of the above multinationals except where it really did!

My friend who has undergone some special training in Mumbai for a private wealth management firm comes back all thrilled and excited about how it is in Mumbai. He no longer aspires to learn and grow the mediocre way. His dreams are big, his goals bigger and boy, he is never satisfied. I heard him out, his goal, his approach. They seemed right for an MBA to pursue and achieve and why not, it meant big bucks too. But I’m not one to be blown away by dreams of others. My dream, big or small, in its own way has its priority and I’m breathing life into it, slowly, steadily and I know all good things come to those who wait. So, everyone must have dreams, ambitions, career goals or otherwise, in case it is to get married to a beautiful woman and honeymoon in Paris and have a posh and happy life ever after. I have also recently said we must have two kinds of educational upbringing - One that teaches how to make a living. Another that teaches how to live. Because, just as a boat requires water to run, we need money. But if the water seeps inside the boat, it will sink, just as we cannot let money enter our lives and ruin our ties with friends and family, a little fun and gaiety.

The Highway

After all these extra vacation and free time, its time I get back to joining my friends on the highway. I’ve got a new engine or Search Engine, if I may add. As of this particular rant, I now announce that there will be no further additions or subtractions or other mathematical equations. Thereto and wherefore and whereas, upon itself, I conclude.