Forum: Application & Admission (6 Comments)

Work Profile for MIM course

  • Posted by - Nikitha - on 25 December 2012 - 1:30pm

    Hi,

    I am from India.

    Education : Bachelor of Engineer(BE) in Computer Science

    Experience : 2.5 years @Robert Bosch.
    (20 months International Experience in Germany, working for Robert Bosch, Germany)

    I am looking to apply for Masters of Managment course for 2014. And hence at that time I would have a total experience of 3.5 or 4 years of work experience.
    Does this profile match for apply this course(MIM) ? Because I see that mostly the requirement specifies that a candidate should have max of 2 years of experience.

    Please let know. Your answer will be helpful.

    Thanks.

    • Posted by - Nikitha - on 1 January 2013 - 2:19pm

      Hi Thomas,

      Thanks for the detailed information.
      It gave me a lot of clarity.

      I will do some survey now and get back to you :)

      • Posted by - Thomas Graf - on 1 January 2013 - 10:41pm

        Don't forget to tell the schools how helpful the MIM Compass was for your search process ;)

        All the best
        Thomas

    • Posted by - Nikitha - on 27 December 2012 - 6:50pm

      Hi Thomas,

      Thanks for your reply.

      In the last days this has been in my mind MIM/MBA/MEM knowing that I am from the Engineering background and have experience for the same.
      I have read thro many forum, websites, also mim-compass.com, have clearly understood the differences
      & requirements.

      To get more clear and better understanding so that I can come to a conclusion I have following questions :

      1. Agreed MIM is not the right choice. But just-in-case say , I take up MIM course (with 3.5 yrs experience).
        Once im graduated what kind job profile/role/position I would be getting into ?
        A fresher/junior employee out of University graduated with MIM degree ?
        and I will be considered same level as the other co-students who have had NIL or less experience ?
        or will my prior experience/International experience of 3.5 yrs as a Engineer will have some concern/role to play when comes to job profile/position/etc ?

      2. On the other hand I came across another Management course designed for Engineers, MEM course ( Msc in Engineering management OR Master of Engineering in Engineering Management ) -
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Engineering_Management (mainly in US, also if you read this wiki link - there's a statement given that MEM is 'Engineer's MBA')
        This course is not compared with MIM/MBA. ( Im aware they are different lines ).
        Its another course which also I was considering that how well this might fit in me.
        Do you have any say regarding this course/jobs keeping in mind my educational background & experience ?

      Eagerly waiting for your reply.
      Thank you again Thomas.

      • Posted by - Thomas Graf - on 28 December 2012 - 11:51am

        Hi there,

        as for your first question, here is a general thought: A primary recruiting means for graduates are the on-campus fairs where firms come to campus and invite graduates for interviews.

        There are differences, however, between the on-campus fairs for Master graduates and MBA graduates. The firms may be the same or different; the HR people may be the same or different; but most importantly, the people they are looking for on such a firm are different - meaning, the positions that they have in their pockets when they come to these fairs are different:

        • On a MIM fair, the target group for the firms are graduates and their offers are entry positions. On an MBA fair, they come to recruit professionals for more advances positions. So, generally speaking: Your specific placement fair may not be the right one.

        Having said that, there may be bypasses around this obstacle depending on the career srevices of the school where you study.

        • For example, some schools may have big campus fairs where firms can meet BOTH Master graduates and MBA graduates. Even as a MIM student, you may be able to conduct interviews for advanced positions there.
        • Even if there are two separate fairs - one for Master graduates, one for MBA graduates - the school's career service may be able to integrate you in the MBA fair - or at least send your CV to the right HR people at the companies in advance.
        • Also, on campus fairs is not the only means to get a job afterwards. The school may publish a yearbook with your cv or your cv may be found in an online graduates database where firms have access to. You may do an internship or in-company project during your studies where you may build connection to your future employer.
        • Finally, you may apply directly at companies - independent of the school's support - there you apply for more advanced positions of course.

        It's a good idea, actually, to mention your question (and conflict) to the schools admissions and career service in advance and ask them what they think (or how they consider to suppport you here).

        Here are some more advices:

        • I would only study at schools that can "deal" with people like you - that have ideas how to help you finding a more advanced job later on
        • a MIM program where the students have at least a little bit of work experience - check out the differences in the students' portfolios between programs; you may find some programs where people have one or two years of work experience - as compared to prograsm where the average number of years is 0.2...
        • And I would also look for a program that includes some contact with firms during the program (internships, projects etc.)

        As for your second question, I am not experienced in an MEM. But some things are clear upfront:

        1. The MEM is closer connected to your academic pre-experience - this can be an advantage as it deepens your knowledge and expertise in your area AND at the same time adds management competencies.
        2. The other side of the coin, however, is that it may not be as broad or general as a MIM or MBA (as these program types educate you purely in general management, as opposed to engineering management). Hence, you need to decide how closely connected you want to be with the area of engineering later on in your career and pick the program that best fits to this plan.

        Intuitively, the MEM seems to be the less risky decision for you as it strengthens your profile (I may be wrong, however).

        I recommend you to clearly compare the curricula, students' profiles, and entry positions of the graduates of a more general management program (MIM) and the MEM. Maybe you even find a school that offers both types of program - then finding this data out through the website or by contacting the career service should be easier.

        Best wishes
        Thomas

    • Posted by - Thomas Graf - on 25 December 2012 - 7:53pm

      Hi there,

      you may find schools that still accept you. But with 3.5 years of work experience, you are the perfect MBA candidate. Think about it: Do you really want to study with people who do not have work experience at all? People who are heading for their job entry after graduation?

      Alternatively, the MBA brings you in contact ONLY with people who have work experience. You will profit a lot just by the fact that your classmates have valuable experience that you get access to.

      Please have a look at our article difference between MBA and MIM.

      Best wishes
      Thomas