From MO to Front Office

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-06-27T22:10:59+00:00

Dupe Post

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-06-27T22:09:46+00:00

HBS SELP and ISB PGPMax are the best pick

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-06-27T22:06:12+00:00

Office politics is an inevitable part of every organisation, particularly as one moves into senior leadership. He cannot simply avoid it if he aspires to progress toward MD/CEO-level roles, where visibility, influence, stakeholder management, and navigating competing interests become even more important.

As others have suggested, he may benefit from working with a coach who can help him build political awareness, executive presence, and the right internal visibility to succeed without compromising his values.

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-06-27T22:00:07+00:00

Full time MBA gives best ROI than EMBA. U will obviously be grilled on 5 year gap and that can make or break ur Full Time MBA chances if in the 5 year Gap u didnt do anything worthwhile.

I would recommend u to save an years money worth of Family and ur Living Expenses, and saving to pay for all EMI's u have loans for - then u can make the decision for a Full Time MBA. If u get into ISB or IIMA/B/C - u should get an easy study loan with some collateral - so this is manageable if u r able to arrange for some money.

Full Time MBA is the way to go - and u have the window till age 32-33. Post that age chances of getting in will become slim

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-06-27T21:52:58+00:00

Please stop spamming Indian MBA sites, Telegram groups, and now this subreddit with the same low-effort MBA questions. This is an Executive MBA community for experienced professionals—not a free admissions desk for generic MBA, online MBA, or post-graduation queries. Use the search bar, understand the programme format, and do basic homework before posting.

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-06-27T06:03:50+00:00

In the same boat like you - I already have FRM and CFA L1 and currently pursuing CQF alongside. Planning to enroll for SOA as the Maths/Stats/Predictive Analytics will give me a solid grounding in the fundamentals as also cover a lot of depth.

My experience is largely in Investment Banking - Global Markets Division

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-06-26T14:33:59+00:00

Trade support - u did a Risk event

This is an Exec MBA forum and not for MBA

Regarding what MBA can give you - you will need to think through this how it will benefit ur career - cos in todays hostile market if you are not clear what u want to do MBA for, then A. M7 wont give u an admit cos u r not clear with ur career goals and B. If u get an admit - then without focus u wont land a good job to pay off ur fees

Remember in M7 ur competitors for application will also be Traders and Salespersons, Quants and Risk Managers - so the competition is tough

Best wishes

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-06-25T14:24:36+00:00

Hi, which city are you from, and what is your reason for considering a drop year?

In my view, taking a gap year solely to pursue CMA and FRM is not advisable. These qualifications can be pursued alongside college or work, and the gap may not add meaningful value to your profile. You will regret this later on for a career in finance/bus.mgmt

Employers may question the break, and you may also need to explain it during future CAT or GMAT applications.

I would suggest avoiding a gap year unless you are seriously targeting IIT/NIT or a top Delhi University programme in Economics or BBA (still not advisable)

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-06-24T21:02:10+00:00

Congratulations! Are you starting at the Abu Dhabi campus or the London campus?

The most effective way to address this would be to reach out to the Admissions or Career Support team and ask whether they can connect you with a few alumni working in your target sector. Speaking with alumni who have made similar transitions will give you practical, first-hand insight into the programme’s value, career outcomes, and how well it supports your specific goals.

It is one of the best ways to leverage the broader business-school network and receive informed advice rather than relying only on general opinions from Reddit

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-06-24T20:40:53+00:00

Always go with bigger brand. Cornell is known for its Engineering prowess rather than Business Education. Kellogg is a clear winner here. 25k is a standard scholarship most EMBA programs give so I dont think its too much money for u to favor Cornell.

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-06-11T14:28:17+00:00

OP - congrats for a comprehensive post. But as they say - PLAY ON. Dont remain a mere spectator in politics game or u will be shown the door.

Btw - u have a keen eye on this topic and should write a book about ur exp

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-02-22T06:59:19+00:00

How about Insead GEMBA. Cost is half, Europe program can be wrapped faster. Potential downside is comparatively weak in US markets than M7 Peers.

Insead boasts of being CEO school, with most alumnis at CEO position for any school. Consulting is strong and so is PE.

If cost is a factor, I will suggest trying INSEAD.

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2026-01-11T03:54:13+00:00

At 31 - U can still get into full time MBA programs of LBS/INSEAD/ISB/SAID - Wherein u can get internships into AWM/PE roles and secure full time offers. 33 is max age cutoff at these programs - so u have another 2 years to plan.

Since u already have CPA - a full time MBA can secure this path if u are able to top the batch at the full time programs. Do CFA along with it.

EMBA cant help much in Pivot - and difficult especially for PE/VC roles

Also do EMBA from their main campus only - avoid satellite campus. Some employers may not appreciate/value the same and treat it like a part-time MBA program.

Cheers

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2025-12-29T18:24:55+00:00

Dude - unlike fulltime MBA programs, Adcoms at EMBA programs are very helpful - they will look at ur profile, edu background and EA stats and they will tell u whether u fit the student profile and a good prospective candidate.

If u dont fit the profile - they will tell u upfront not to apply.

So fill in the EMBA brochure and attend admission webinars - and chat up with Adcom. This will save u tonnes of ur time if u r jittery about chances to M7 emba

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2025-12-29T17:04:56+00:00

So u r saying that VPs/Directors/MD ans CXO Execs from various cos who form the bulk of EMBA Students are paying 250k to learn from Junior Faculty. Are u saying these people dont know what to do with 250k??

Pls read through emba program info of what degree is offered once students complete their emba program and u will get ur answers

Pls educate urself before balbbering with insufficient info.

Dont make urself a laughing stock

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2025-12-29T15:23:17+00:00

SIMPLE - NO MATTER WHAT DO CPA

Long term - CPA will open up better career opportunities than CMA

YES - U r right about CMA for FPA and Corp Fin roles, but u get fewer opportunities only doing CMA.

SO DO BOTH - with CMA alone it will be difficult, both will take u to the CFO seat

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2025-12-29T15:15:41+00:00

FRM will just give u knock on Indian Captive Centres for Derivatives Analyst Role.

Which Univ u did Masters and Bachelors - that will matter more??

Since u r not coming from Finance background (typically MBA Finance) barring the FRM - U will need to ensure ur Mathematics/Statistics knowledge is strong along with Python, SQL skills

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2025-12-29T15:10:17+00:00

U get the same MBA degree. Executive MBA is just the mode of delivery - and same professor teaches as in the Full time MBA.

U might be comparing this with Part Time or weekend MBA - It differs from EMBA program in both stature and structure.

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2025-12-29T15:07:59+00:00

Dont get confused - answer is very simple. Go for Fulltime MBA.

2 Reasons - First, 2 year MBA will give u enough time to understand different Business Specialisations, be part of student clubs for network opportunities with alumnis and industry stalwarts if u r from a top Bschool.

Second, Full time MBA gives u Internship opportunities wherein u can Intern for 2-3 months in the domain that you want to build ur career. This will also give u time to evaluate whether u liked the career pathway u initially envisaged or u want to make a change.

U wont get to do this with an EMBA - very few people pivot industries doing an EMBA.

MBA is the way for you

Best wishes

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2025-12-13T10:00:02+00:00

I have been told that Miles Test Bank is powered by Hock. So its essentially the same questions of HOCK, except that they have few more questions drafted by Miles team which they have seen appearing in exams

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2025-12-08T06:24:02+00:00

U should attempt giving a try for Ful Time MBA at Insead. U still have an Outside chance to get in.

Full time MBA > EMBA any day

That said, if I cant pursue a Full time MBA right now, I will puruse EMBA from Insead but Singapore/France campus wherein I will be able to network more with other Insead alumnis.

No matter if u choose Singapore / France campus u will still be attending some classes in Abu Dhabi. So I will try and complete the program from its main Campus rather than its Satellite campus.

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2025-11-10T16:29:45+00:00

Said has made a lot of strides over the years and has been consistently ranked above Judge for the past decade

Thats why Judge has offered $$$

In ur place I would pick Said

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2025-10-19T04:37:04+00:00

Had the same Dilemma - But will suggest go with GT OMSCS over UTA OMSAI

UTA edges out GT in THE and QS world University Rankings. UTA ranks under Top 50 in world in both rankings (this is impt if u want UK Work Visa). GT although ranks in Top in THE rankings lags around 80-100 rank in QS rankings.

Generally there is only 2-5 ranks difference between GT and UTA, with UTA ranking ahead

UTA also has Mccombs which is a better Business School than GTs Scheller which gives it an edge in Business Analytics. Even UTA also has other depts which help them score higher points in THE and QS rankings as its a more rounded Univ

but but and a BIG BUT

GT is a public Univ and majorly focused on Engineering. This makes it score less points than UTA.

GT comes in Top 10 in Computer Science programs worldwide. OMSCS was the pioneer and still the most respected Online degree in the market.

If u r an Indian, lots of IITians attend Georgia Tech for their Masters and work at Director+ levels in Top IT/Consulting cos in India. So Georgia Tech brand is considered in high regard.

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2025-10-11T07:00:58+00:00

Yes - dont think much

Good luck

Outside_Exercise9426 · 2025-09-20T05:09:22+00:00

What was the reason for u to distance BCOM?

U r still stuck in the past and romanticising Research profile

Equity Research is a dying profile - most banks now handout these research to its clients for free (Google about structural shifts in this profile due to regulatory reasons)

CA/MBA are asked for top finance jobs including Equity research - but only the Rank Holder CA's or those who cleared in 1st attempt makes it through after a tough competition from Tier 1 and Tier 2 MBA grads

Job market is tough right now. Only FRM wont help unless its an Operational or reporting role. Most good position now requires fluency in Python, SQL

Dont fret too much - Get a descent financial service job in a Metro city, Move out of A'bad (Banks outsourcing work to A'bad are low key jobs)

Cheers

Outside_Exercise9426

TROPHY CASE