Best option for MBA in UK - 30+ / IT

addie_n

3 5

Posted May 29, 2021 00:46

Hi All,

Appreciate if someone could look at my profile and advise.

I am a 33 year old Indian male working in IT in Systems Support in the UAE.
I have been working since 2010 so i have around 11+ years of experience in IT.
I have not given a GMAT yet.
I am having good grades in secondary school and high school but have completed graduation (BSc IT) a little late.
Since ive had good IT professional certifications, my career progression has been good and have a very good salary.

All these years, i have worked for an exciting company and am doing reasonably well, but my career has started to feel nonchalant, and boredom began to set in. Also, i am really interested in going into the management and strategy side of the organization (IT preferably) but don’t see myself growing into a management role anytime soon if i continue in same place.

Due to this, I really would like to go for MBA.
I am looking only at UK programs as i want to work there for sometime after my MBA. Also, due to their newly introduced PSW visa and student family dependent visa option. I am aiming for the 2022 September start so i have some time to finalize.

Can someone please suggest me best way forward and preferable MBA programs looking at my career goals and possibility of getting in.

Sorry for the long write-up..
Thanks to all, in advance.

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Duncan

14.007 15.473

Posted May 29, 2021 01:03

Take a look at:
GMAT Tiers - strong schools for your GMAT www.find-mba.com/board/27082
Best MBAs for international students' placement http://www.find-mba.com/board/41143
Your commonplace background and lack of progression will make the top schools a stratch for you. You will need much more specific career goals and a strong GMAT.

Take a look at:<br>GMAT Tiers - strong schools for your GMAT www.find-mba.com/board/27082<div><br></div><div>Best MBAs for international students' placement http://www.find-mba.com/board/41143</div><div><br>Your commonplace background and lack of progression will make the top schools a stratch for you. You will need much more specific career goals and a strong GMAT. </div>

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addie_n

3 5

Posted May 29, 2021 08:36

Take a look at:
GMAT Tiers - strong schools for your GMAT www.find-mba.com/board/27082
Best MBAs for international students' placement http://www.find-mba.com/board/41143
Your commonplace background and lack of progression will make the top schools a stratch for you. You will need much more specific career goals and a strong GMAT.

Thanks for the reply, Duncan.
I believe a good GMAT might be the best way out of my situation. Will have to try my best for that now and it will tough since its been years since I passed out of school.

I have more questions related to this - Are there any good schools which admit without GMAT? (Durham i think accepts without GMAT)- What do you mean when you say specific career goals? Should i have specific goals related to the industry / country / role? And how does that affect my choice of B-Schools?

Thanks again.. Much appreciated.

[quote]Take a look at:<br>GMAT Tiers - strong schools for your GMAT www.find-mba.com/board/27082<div><br></div><div>Best MBAs for international students' placement http://www.find-mba.com/board/41143</div><div><br>Your commonplace background and lack of progression will make the top schools a stratch for you. You will need much more specific career goals and a strong GMAT. </div> [/quote]<br><br>
<div>
</div><div>Thanks for the reply, Duncan.</div><br><div>I believe a good GMAT might be the best way out of my situation. Will have to try my best for that now and it will tough since its been years since I passed out of school.
</div><br><div>I have more questions related to this </div><div>- Are there any good schools which admit without GMAT? (Durham i think accepts without GMAT)</div><div>- What do you mean when you say specific career goals? Should i have specific goals related to the industry / country / role? And how does that affect my choice of B-Schools? 
</div><br><div>Thanks again.. Much appreciated.</div><div>
</div><div>
</div>

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Duncan

14.007 15.473

Posted May 29, 2021 09:56

That's a very false economy. 50 hours prep opens up a much better layer of school. You won't get into LBS or Oxbridge but the next tier could open up if you apply early.

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addie_n

3 5

Posted May 29, 2021 10:24

Thanks for your advice.

Thanks for your advice. <br>

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Duncan

14.007 15.473

Posted May 29, 2021 10:56

Also see https://find-mba.com/board/gmat/why-you-should-take-the-gmat-33542

Even schools that don't require the GMAT will value it. They know a candidate without the GMAT is less likely to succeed in the programme, matriculate after being given an offer, or have funding in place. Durham is a good school but salaries are notable higher at schools like Cranfield, Warwick, Imperial and Alliance MBS. I think those should be your target schools.

Also see https://find-mba.com/board/gmat/why-you-should-take-the-gmat-33542 <br><br>Even schools that don't require the GMAT will value it. They know a candidate without the GMAT is less likely to succeed in the programme, matriculate after being given an offer, or have funding in place. Durham is a good school but salaries are notable higher at schools like Cranfield, Warwick, Imperial and Alliance MBS. I think those should be your target schools. 

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aslamo

720 219

Posted Jun 07, 2021 21:37

What role are you currently doing in IT systems support? Is an MBA really required to make a move into IT management or strategy? Most CIOs don't have an MBA...

What role are you currently doing in IT systems support? Is an MBA really required to make a move into IT management or strategy? Most CIOs don't have an MBA...<br><br><br><br><br>

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addie_n

3 5

Posted Jun 20, 2021 20:14

What role are you currently doing in IT systems support? Is an MBA really required to make a move into IT management or strategy? Most CIOs don't have an MBA...

Hi Aslamo,

I started out with User Support then moved (along with User Support) to AV Systems Support and junior level System Administration. Since the last couple of years, I am handling the ITSM Administration, O365 Administration, Systems Administration, AV Systems Support and also User Support.
You can be right in saying that an MBA is not necessary to get into IT Management or Strategy but given the country I'm based in right now, it's not easy to directly get an opportunity to get into Management side of things.

I want to do an MBA from UK as it will help me in changing the country as well and with my experience (and an MBA) I can do good in Technology Consulting - like a Solution Consultant.

Any suggestion / help is appreciated.

[Edited by addie_n on Jun 20, 2021]

[quote]What role are you currently doing in IT systems support? Is an MBA really required to make a move into IT management or strategy? Most CIOs don't have an MBA...<br> [/quote]<br><br>Hi Aslamo,<br><br>I started out with User Support then moved (along with User Support) to AV Systems Support and junior level System Administration. Since the last couple of years, I am handling the ITSM Administration, O365 Administration, Systems Administration, AV Systems Support and also User Support. <br>You can be right in saying that an MBA is not necessary to get into IT Management or Strategy but given the country I'm based in right now, it's not easy to directly get an opportunity to get into Management side of things.<br><br>I want to do an MBA from UK as it will help me in changing the country as well and with my experience (and an MBA) I can do good in Technology Consulting - like a Solution Consultant.<br><br>Any suggestion / help is appreciated. 

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Duncan

14.007 15.473

Posted Jun 21, 2021 05:41

Focus on the best schools for your goal: the ones with the highest international mobility and the best alumni networks.

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Inactive User

2.941 1.801

Posted Jun 22, 2021 19:19

Management or Strategy but given the country I'm based in right now, it's not easy to directly get an opportunity to get into Management side of things.

It's also a bit of a chicken / egg type situation here, because when you do apply for an MBA, the application committees will be looking for evidence of a strong career arc, and with 11 years of work experience they will probably be looking specifically for leadership potential. Without evidence of this, you will be a harder sale. I agree about focusing on your GMAT and aiming for a strong, BALANCED score.

[quote]Management or Strategy but given the country I'm based in right now, it's not easy to directly get an opportunity to get into Management side of things.[/quote]<br>It's also a bit of a chicken / egg type situation here, because when you do apply for an MBA, the application committees will be looking for evidence of a strong career arc, and with 11 years of work experience they will probably be looking specifically for leadership potential. Without evidence of this, you will be a harder sale. I agree about focusing on your GMAT and aiming for a strong, BALANCED score. 

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aslamo

720 219

Posted Jun 22, 2021 23:59

Management or Strategy but given the country I'm based in right now, it's not easy to directly get an opportunity to get into Management side of things.

It's also a bit of a chicken / egg type situation here, because when you do apply for an MBA, the application committees will be looking for evidence of a strong career arc, and with 11 years of work experience they will probably be looking specifically for leadership potential. Without evidence of this, you will be a harder sale. I agree about focusing on your GMAT and aiming for a strong, BALANCED score.

Building on mba hipster's point, given your career trajectory over the last 11 years, it might be a challenge to get into technology consulting even with an MBA or similar degree. Have you thought about other career paths as a backup?

[quote][quote]Management or Strategy but given the country I'm based in right now, it's not easy to directly get an opportunity to get into Management side of things.[/quote]<br>It's also a bit of a chicken / egg type situation here, because when you do apply for an MBA, the application committees will be looking for evidence of a strong career arc, and with 11 years of work experience they will probably be looking specifically for leadership potential. Without evidence of this, you will be a harder sale. I agree about focusing on your GMAT and aiming for a strong, BALANCED score.  [/quote]<br><br>Building on mba hipster's point, given your career trajectory over the last 11 years, it might be a challenge to get into technology consulting even with an MBA or similar degree. Have you thought about other career paths as a backup?

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addie_n

3 5

Posted Jun 23, 2021 10:45

It's also a bit of a chicken / egg type situation here, because when you do apply for an MBA, the application committees will be looking for evidence of a strong career arc, and with 11 years of work experience they will probably be looking specifically for leadership potential. Without evidence of this, you will be a harder sale. I agree about focusing on your GMAT and aiming for a strong, BALANCED score.

Building on mba hipster's point, given your career trajectory over the last 11 years, it might be a challenge to get into technology consulting even with an MBA or similar degree. Have you thought about other career paths as a backup?

Thanks Duncan, MBA Hipster, Aslamo for the responses.Getting advice from all of you experienced folks really helps.
@Aslamo As a backup - I am planning to leverage on the PSW Visa to find a senior level role (in Delivery or Implementation or Managing an Account) in ServiceNow/ITSM, Service Delivery, Modern Workplace (something that am skilled in).
Do you reckon i should look at programs other than MBA?

[Edited by addie_n on Jun 23, 2021]

[quote][quote] It's also a bit of a chicken / egg type situation here, because when you do apply for an MBA, the application committees will be looking for evidence of a strong career arc, and with 11 years of work experience they will probably be looking specifically for leadership potential. Without evidence of this, you will be a harder sale. I agree about focusing on your GMAT and aiming for a strong, BALANCED score.  [/quote]<br><br>Building on mba hipster's point, given your career trajectory over the last 11 years, it might be a challenge to get into technology consulting even with an MBA or similar degree. Have you thought about other career paths as a backup? [/quote]<br><br><br>Thanks Duncan, MBA Hipster, Aslamo for the responses.<div>Getting advice from all of you experienced folks really helps.</div><div><br></div><div>@Aslamo   </div><div>As a backup - I am planning to leverage on the PSW Visa to find a senior level role (in Delivery or Implementation or Managing an Account) in ServiceNow/ITSM, Service Delivery, Modern Workplace (something that am skilled in).</div><div><br></div><div>Do you reckon i should look at programs other than MBA?<br><br></div>

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Inactive User

2.941 1.801

Posted Jun 28, 2021 17:05

Building on mba hipster's point, given your career trajectory over the last 11 years, it might be a challenge to get into technology consulting even with an MBA or similar degree. Have you thought about other career paths as a backup?

That's a great suggestion. Not to be too blunt about it, but you should look at salary ranges for the positions you'd be looking at after your MBA, and ask yourself about the ROI: would it really make sense to make a trans-continental jump?

[quote]Building on mba hipster's point, given your career trajectory over the last 11 years, it might be a challenge to get into technology consulting even with an MBA or similar degree. Have you thought about other career paths as a backup?[/quote]<br>That's a great suggestion. Not to be too blunt about it, but you should look at salary ranges for the positions you'd be looking at after your MBA, and ask yourself about the ROI: would it really make sense to make a trans-continental jump?

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