Hi All,
I am new to the list and very surprised at the help that one receives by way
of mails.
I am studying in Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, India in Computer
Science and Engineering.
I am personally interested in doing Management degree but I get let down by
the fact that very of my peers want to do higher studies in engineering
technical fields.
What troubles most is the type of background most of the universities want for
Management studies. One must have some work experience in management field.
But with the type of undergraduate field of mine, the only job I can get is as
a Computer Programmer/Software Programming. This does not develop any
manegerial skills. Also there are very few companies that give a chance to do
other kind of work related to mangement. In fact only 1 company that came for
placement here gives that and this year it selected 13 out of 500 students,
and I am not in that.
I am really confused on what should I do next??? Is it better to do higher
studies in technical field and then switchover to mangement? Is this
feasible??
Bye,
Sorabh
On Fri, Oct 29, 1999 at 11:30:47AM -0500, Larry Pate wrote :
> Imran,
>
> You ask a good question, one that many of us have asked and continue to ask.
> For starters, I'd encourage you to accept that it's perfectly normal to be
> uncertain about which path to take. In some ways it really doesn't matter;
> in other ways, it matters a great deal. But, whichever path you ultimately
> decide on, you're doing the sensible thing at this point by asking others
> for input.
>
> I'd suggest that you start with recognizing that you have far more
> alternatives available to you than the two you mention. Ask yourself what
> it is you like to do and want to do, what your skills are, what excites you,
> what bores you, and what you want to accomplish in your life. Maybe even
> use a good book, like Richard Bolles' WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE, to help
> you clarify your career goals and aspirations if you haven't already done that.
>
> Then, if that activity still narrows the field down to just these two
> alternatives (I/O vs business), talk to people at your own university who do
> the kind of work within these areas that you envision yourself doing. Spend
> some time in the library reading the literature and becoming familiar with
> the wide variety of activities that fall within either I/O psychology or
> business. OB and Strategy, for example, both fall within the boundary of
> "business," but they can be and often are radically different. Also,
> universities vary considerably in requirements and expectations of doctoral
> students, just as students vary in test scores and preparedness for doctoral
> training. The more familiar you become with the alternatives you're
> considering, the more you will be, as Rick Mowday calls it, a "sophisticated
> consumer" of the options open to you.
>
> Most of us on this list can't help you much, other than to point you in
> directions that may help you. In order for any of us to truly advise you,
> we would need to know a whole lot more information about you and your
> background and how well prepared you already are for doctoral level study
> (e.g., your GMAT score, undergraduate GPA and major, which university you
> attended, what the standards are at that university, whether you already
> have a graduate degree, your maturity and commitment). At this point, we
> don't even know if you would get in to the better programs and that is
> certainly relevant in advising you.
>
> It's kind of like saying you want advice on whether you should buy a pizza
> or a sandwich, but without saying anything about your preferences for the
> ingredients. A person who loves anchovies will tell you to include them; a
> person who hates anchovies will tell you to leave them off. Just as there
> are lots of different types of pizzas and different types of sandwiches,
> there are also lots of different types of I/O and business careers and
> different types of training within each of them. Ultimately, it's up to you
> to decide what you like and how well any particular pizza or sandwich or
> career path will give you what you want.
>
> I know of people -- and I'm sure others on this list know of people -- who
> came out of the exact same doctoral program at the same time in the same
> year, and who took jobs in different departments, some in psychology, others
> in business. So, again, in some ways it really won't matter.
>
> One last observation from what you have written. The things you mention
> that you want to do are primarily "business" activities -- "helping other
> businesses grow, develop, merge, acquire, and get sold." Most I/O programs
> won't give you the skills to do these kinds of entrepreneurial activities,
> since I/O is more about people and the causes of human behavior than it is
> about business growth and success. These activities sound more like those
> of a consultant than an I/O psychologist (but, then, I'm now having to guess
> at what you mean and that isn't very productive).
>
> I wish you well in your quest. There is a book, TARAN WANDERER by Lloyd
> Alexander, that you might find helpful. Taran was an Assistant Pig Keeper
> who wasn't fully satisfied with his station in life, and so he wandered from
> one activity to the next, finding along the way the things he was good at,
> the things that excited him, the things that came too easy or too hard, and
> in the end he discovered his true talent.
>
> Best,
>
> Larry
>
>
> Larry Pate
> University of Wisconsin-Madison
>
>
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> >Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 20:44:09 +0530
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> >Sender:
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> >From:
amedco@BOM7.VSNL.NET.IN
> >Subject: [MG-ED-DV] I need advice!!
> >To:
MG-ED-DV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
> >
> > Dear Friends,
> >
> > Greetings!
> >
> > I am a psychology undergrad. I have a year more to go and than have a
> > choice of either doing a doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
> > or a doctorate in Business ( DBA??/Ph.D.?? ) . My long term goals
> include getting
> > settled in NY City, and helping other businesses grow, develop, merge,
> acquire,
> > and get sold. I am confused as to which doctorate to go for and how to
> achieve
> > my long term career goals. Any and all help will be appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks and best regards.
> >
> > Your's truly,
> >
> > Imran Syed.
> > Email:
amedco@iname.com
--
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SORABH DOSHI
4th Year Btech Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology
Mumbai - India
E-mail :-
sorabh@cse.iitb.ernet.in
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"Be happy while you're living, for you're a long time dead."
-- Scottish Proverb