Hi all,

Need your advice as career path forward. I am Process Engineer (4yrs) immediately followed with an MBA (awarded 2005, GMAT 690) from UK (Huddersfield). Plus I have 9yrs work exp in Oil & Gas services, sales & marketing, regional sales roles, APAC remit etc...

I am seriously considering a career change to take up a full Masters in Supply Chain and Logistics, with view of its use in Oil & gas industry. I have started my GMAT prep and aim at 710+ scores.

Please advice - considering i want to go to a top masters program:
a) if a top tier MBA school would accept me as a career changer (from sales to Supply chain), esp since I have an MBA...
b) Any exp people who have made this transition from sales or others to Supply chain...as a mid career change...
c) which schools should i aim for?

Any other tips would help...

thanks,,
Ron

The MIT and ZLOG degrees would be at the top of my list if I was you. There is a good list of MSc options at http://www.best-masters.com/ranking-master-supply-chain-and-logistics.html

My question is: would you really learn something from an MSc aimed at pre-experience students when you are already experienced in oil and gas processes? What is preventing you from applying for jobs as an experienced sales expert and then moving into a supply chain role?

At the bottom of this page is a listing of top programmes for supply chain. I think most of those will be happy to recruit someone who has taken a pre-experience 'freshers' MBA like Huddersfield which does not have international accreditation.

Would a part-time MSc or MBA focussed on supply chain be better for you? The ETH, Cranfield, GA Tech, EPFL all stand out.

Hi Duncan,

Really clear thought - many thanks. I do now understand that an MSc would be less of a interesting program to approach SC Mgmt, than a full time MBA. Moving directly from a sales role to supply chain/logistics is something i did try earlier, but was unsuccessful.

Would you them recommend taking up a full time high ranked MBA from a top tier (ivy and similar) as to be the best career option, in a sense that I do now intend to spend atleast the next significant portion of my life pursuing S-Chain as a career.

Also this brings me to the point, of whether a Top Tier Schools can also help me in applying for jobs post my second MBA. What is the overall nature of post degree recruitment. Also, if I stick to O&G, will my 9yrs sales experience in the field come in handy for my next role?

Thanks again,
Ronak

I think a very advanced masters, like the MIT, ZLOG, ETH, EPFL etc courses xould be more effective than an MBA. The key thing is this: if the cohort is high quality and has some work experience then it can attract the right employers. Placement is very strong from MIT and ZLOG. If you take a top MBA then look for a longer programme with more time to drill down into supply chain issues, like a US degree and the advanced track at HHL.

Overall recruitment differs by programme and school. Use the rankings.