A career break in times of change

Last to last week I joined SP Jain (Mumbai) for pursuing PGPM program ( 1 year full time MBA). It's a residential program and I have taken a break from my work. The decision to join the program and leaving a cosy job was really tough one, especially at a time of trillion dollar meltdown. But following two sayings helped me to stick to my decision.

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." -- Benjamin Franklin.

"Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful." -- Warren Buffet.

The actual decision to join was taken well before the collapse of Lehman Brothers. It was first week August 2008 when I had got an admission offer. The decision to take a plunge was not so easy considering monetary investment and one year holiday from work. First I did a self assessment, looked back at my track record, reevaluated my aspirations and goals and came to a conclusion that it's a right time to join.

Then I consulted many of well wishers, cousins, friends etc. I also contacted a few career advisors too. Here are some of excerpts of chat and e-mail with some of them.

Gautam Puri: MD of Career Launcher.

SP Jain is a good institute and its 1 year program is well regarded. Given that you have work ex of over 4 years, I would not recommend a 2 year MBA. I would suggest that you join this program. If possible, please talk to an alumni of this program to check out placement record.

Aditya PK: my classmate in Engineering, now working at Google.

It depends on what you want to do if you want a long term career as an IT manager or maybe even Program Analyst then it's a very good idea.You can probably even drift to other sides of management after your MBA slowly.

Krishna: my cousin

It's a good program and like investing in a mini car. If u ever thought you wanted to do a MBA - now is the time when you have the luxury, the mindset to do it and the right approach. As u proceed in ur career it becomes tougher to take this step - especially in India.

Ritesh Kamath: classmate in Engineering, doing PGP at IIM-C

An MBA should make u something like - brand mgr, asst brand manager in a marketing firm, an analyst in a financial major, a consultant in top 4 consulting company, an area head, a person managing 500 Cr business in retail & shopping. however i still feel doing this prog is going to give u leverage than not doing it . it will push u atleast 5 yrs ahead in life.

Rashmi Bansal: A Career Advisor, Editor of Jammag, Blogs at youthcurry.blogspot.com

I think even if immediate return is not that good in the long run an S P Jain MBA will help ur career and mobility across industries. Also a 75% jump in salary for 54% of the students after 1 year is pretty good. Cheer up! Course architecture etc is of no great consequence. It's all about learning from each other and the overall environment. And getting 'branded'. So do join ... and good luck!

Sudhir Kumar: my ex-colleague

God has given u a chance shande man, go for it

In addition to this I contacted a few alums and candidates pursing program by searching for profiles in orkut and linked-in. In the process, I experience one funny thing on decision making day. In my Orkut's homepage "Today's fortune" very appropriate to state on mind!



To conclude for next one year there will be very less traveling and hence less travel blogging from my side. However in minimal free time I will be clearing all my backlog posts and also will be periodically posting some high fundoo gyan which I am expecting gain in B-school.