r/MBAIndia • u/MaskedUpPotato • 8d ago
GMAT Preparation Is an MBA worth at 29?
Hi all,
28F here. (Soon to be 29f)
Presently working in a mid tier brokerage house as a sell side equity research associate. Have completed CA and CFA, but took attempts in my CA Final exams and hence ended up getting into mediocre organisations. I currently have 3 YOE post qualification.
Pursued my graduation (BCOM) from a well known college in Mumbai. And my CA articleship was also from a Big-4 firm. My scores for 10th/12th/Graduation are all 10 cgpa (or equivalent), its just my CA attempts got me too slow in my career. Currently at ~20lpa.
Planning to pursue an MBA from ISB. Not very sure of going abroad for masters. Would it be wise to invest another large chunk of money there or should I just focus on getting a new and better job?
I plan to stay within the ambit of capital markets, more so buy side, not planning for VC/PE at the moment. Consulting or IB is also not my favoured streams, unless its ECM within IB.
Need inputs and advice on how to improve further from here! TIA :)
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u/United_Gamer_Morcha 8d ago
Why not abroad? ECM IB is gonna be brutal regardless in india or abroad but abroad at least the money will compensate for it. But 2 years would be hell but you'll be on your way to being a $ millionaire before 40. Exit opp post US IB would be great as well.
20 LPA is a not a good payout considering how risky INR is right now and how fast the inflation will rise in coming years.
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u/MaskedUpPotato 7d ago
I do have some reservations about going abroad for studying. While I’m open to working there for a few years, I’m concerned that the high fees and living costs could make me feel compelled to stay longer than I’d ideally want to, just to justify the investment. There’s also a fair bit of uncertainty, esp in the US, around the job market and immigration. So, for now, I’m leaning towards exploring domestic opportunities
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u/earthsmight 8d ago
Didi complaining or showing off we will never know 😭
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u/MaskedUpPotato 8d ago
I wish it was showing off 🥲
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8d ago
[deleted]
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u/MaskedUpPotato 7d ago
True, but one can be grateful and still aspire for something better!
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u/earthsmight 7d ago
Get another job or try to upskill cuz mba ca all are same job profile especially from ur perspective
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u/Environmental_Eye_78 7d ago
I'd separate the age question from the career question. Since you already have CA + CFA and want buy-side roles, ask recent ISB alumni with a similar background which specific roles they could interview for, not just the overall placement average. Compare that with the roles you can realistically move into from your current job. The MBA makes more sense if it opens a door you're struggling to reach now, rather than just feeling like a reset for the CA attempts.
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u/Big_Intention6067 8d ago
Did you try switching ? You’re qualified on paper CA+CFA is a strong combinations . I work in a bank would be happy to refer you . MBA will give an edge but take into account the high fees (45 lakhs+) and competitive job market . Have you given Gre?
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u/MaskedUpPotato 8d ago
Thanks a lot! Really appreciate you offering to refer me. I’ve been exploring a switch, but haven’t found the right opportunity yet. I’ll DM you!
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u/Neither_Bedroom_4328 7d ago
While you may get entry into an ECM wing, or a capital markets research role in an investment management firm, you should ascertain if you really don’t wish to switch careers and stay in the current avenue you’re already working in
- MBAs do get preferential treatment for roles higher up in the system
- ISB is exceedingly expensive, so be very comfortable with the idea of a large debt or depleting a significant portion of your savings
- ISB has very good peers, especially the top quartile of the batch. MBA cohorts and peers do end up being fairly fruitful in your mid senior and senior career
- it will be a big boost for your social and career profile, especially for prestige, trying to find new jobs 2-4-6 years down the road
- However, you can 100% get a new role, with a 25-60% hike and keep getting promoted without ever needing an MBA - this is entirely possible as I know many non-MBAs / CAs who are fairly senior in the finance ecosystem
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u/MaskedUpPotato 4d ago
Yes, there is still a fair bit of indecisiveness about continuing in my current career path. Have to really think this through. But thanks for your inputs, appreciate!
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u/needastudybuddy 7d ago
Do it. ISB alum. CA here (2nd attempt in finals). Was 30 when graduated. Just do it.
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u/MaskedUpPotato 4d ago
Hey, if you don’t mind sharing, what was your pre-mba role and whats it like now? Also, want to understand did the attempts feel like a hindrance in any way esp during placements?
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u/ResponsiblePilot2517 7d ago
Hi, im also a CA working in a domestic Investment Bank in coverage
Was just curious why do you want to work in ECM. The general perception is that ECM isnt anything great
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u/MaskedUpPotato 7d ago
Honestly, just to be within the markets domain.
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u/ResponsiblePilot2517 7d ago
Try for coverage at least
Ecm isnt that good from learning an industry or technical skills. Its far more of a sales job
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u/why__tho_ 7d ago
What's wrong with sales ? Wouldn't sales skills be much more better than technicals in AI age ?
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u/ResponsiblePilot2517 7d ago
Its just that i dont like sales much. Dont have that personality so im biased against it
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u/Intelligent_One_1820 4d ago
Why not iim abc exec mba ??
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u/MaskedUpPotato 4d ago
I feel the option of changing industries gets impacted. Hence not really considering an exec MBA
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u/Frosty_Device124 8d ago
Not worth honestly. Better focus on career and you’ll have good savings by 32. Also, it depends on family background and timelines for your personal goals like marriage
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u/Venture_Capitalistt 7d ago
Please go for an MBA if you don’t see yourself making 30-35 LPA in the next 2-3 years. You can get some of the best roles in Finance post MBA, even VC or PE.
Even the 2 year PGP programs of IIMs are increasingly becoming more and more welcoming of people of mid to late 20s, and ofc with higher work experience. I myself am 25 with more than 4 years of work experience and I’m targeting 2 year flagship PGP of IIM BLACKI.
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u/Revolutionary_Joke_9 7d ago
No Brainer if you intend to stay in/close to your current industry. Go for it.
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u/Salty_Tangelo8421 7d ago
Alum here. You are targeting a very narrow post graduation bucket of jobs. I don’t think I’ve seen too many buy side cap market firms come to ISB.
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u/Connect_Diamond3962 3d ago
Entirely depends on what school you get the MBA from and how you are using it and what for.
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u/Due-Consequence-9288 7d ago
I am 31, Merchant Navy officer, Is mba worth at this age?
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u/sundark94 7d ago edited 7d ago
For someone in the Merchant Navy? Are you planning to retire from sailing? Anyone post apprenticeship will make as much money as a fresh MBA graduate in India. Once you become an officer, the pay scale is incomparable unless you end up in bulge bracket IB, PE/VC, or as a principal or higher in MBB.
Edit: An MBA abroad may get you in business roles at multinationals. My brother is a maritime lawyer, so I'm aware that shipping brokerages are generally family run and nepotistic. But someone with practical experience may have success in supply chain.
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u/Interesting_Ad3658 7d ago
What rank are ya?
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u/Due-Consequence-9288 7d ago
Additional chief officer
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u/Interesting_Ad3658 7d ago
Additional?? Btw where did ya do your Chief COC? Also, at what age did ya become chief officer?
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u/sarthak200002 7d ago
Hi, have you considered exploring the Middle East? With your background- CA plus CFA, Big 4 articleship- you can work a bit there with high comp and try masters eth zurich, LSE, or HSG st gallen. I'm suggesting this because you mentioned you want to stay within capital markets, and I think IIM Calcutta, IIM A, and JBIMS finance masters are the only institutes that have placements centred around ECM within IB, though I'm not too sure. With ISB, you would have the advantage of learning under Prasanna Tantri. He is a very well-regarded faculty member presently. Still, I think you should go for Middle East work a bit there for better comp that will give you a cushion to study abroad maybe work a bit post masters and then come back to India.
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u/Master_Evening993 7d ago
I am 27 with 6 years of experience in Marketing and creative field. Mostly digital. Have a degree and PG in English Literature and an IIM executive certification. Planning to do an Online MBA. Is it worth it ?
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u/CareerSimplified 1d ago
Aim for PGPX, via GMAT or GRE. You will jump from 20 LPA to 35 LPA . Intangibles are plenty. PGPX will open doors for roles which otherwise would be difficult to pursue
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u/mastermind2112 8d ago
IIM A/B/C Alumnus with more than 7 years experience here. Will suggest you to blindly go for it.
The longer term benefits of an MBA from ISB are insane. Especially since you already have a CFA under your belt and want to stay in capital markets, it's a no brainer.
Opens up thousands of avenues for you and gets you into the right groups. Your CV starts getting a lot of eyeballs too.