Deciding to apply

I passed out of REC Suratkal in 1995. I was a good student and considered my ability to apply my learning to real life situations as my greatest strength. I got an opportunity to work with TCS immediately after college. It was a dream job for me and I was excited.

The excitement continued when after two years at office, I started handling onsite projects at different locations in Europe and U.S..

My bosses at TCS also appreciated my work and I was seen as one of the bright guys with a great future in the company. My earnings were always on the increase and so were my responsibilities at work. The toughest and the most challenging projects were given to me and I didn't let the company down.

In one of my visits to the U.S., I met my elder brother's friend to hand over a packet of goodies from his mother. I visited his place for Lunch that Sunday afternoon and I thank god I made the effort to go that day.

Vivek ran his own Management consulting and training firm out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the expert in understanding the 'people' aspect of business. He was alone that day and on my request agreed to discuss my career. We spent a good three hours after lunch and here is what we discussed after he understood what I was into.

Vivek: How ambitious are you?

I : I want the best things in life, want to be very successful at work, and as I have recently concluded, I want to be the best at what I do. I get the kicks from doing things which I myself didn't know I could do.

Vivek: How long do you think you can continue getting the kicks in your present job?

I: I'm not so sure. As of now the travelling gives me the kicks. Finishing my projects before time gives me the kicks, surprising my customers on what we as a company can do gives me the kicks. I don't think it will stay this way for ever. But I guess I will evolve and learn to do other things that will keep offering me the kicks.

Vivek: What about your job responsibilities? How have they changed over time?

I : When I started, I was assigned projects to work on, I only worked to meet my targets and rarely looked outside of what I was supposed to do. I had a deadline and objectives to meet. I worked day in and day out, trying to complete my job.

Now, its not just my efforts that I'm concerned about but that of my team members as well. I plan the over all project execution, know about the individual capabilities of my team members and utilise their skills to achieve project objectives. I spend time with my team members, help them build skills that they lack.

I also work hard planning my meeting with my bosses. I tell them about where I see opportunities in the future, how we can exploit them, how we need to prepare and what extra skills need to be built. I particularly enjoy this aspect of my work and take it rather seriously.

Vivek: Do you have any fears right now about the work you are doing.

I : I would like to believe that I don't, but there are some.

I look at my bosses operate and I'm not so sure if I'll be able to be like them. Shoulder responsibilities the way they do. I try to put myself in their shoes and the feeling is not very comforting.

I also get to interact with the senior management of our customer companies, and some of the people I work with are brilliant. They are able to consider all angles at the same time when taking a decision.

Hearts of hearts I know I want to be like them but fear if I will be able to make it.

Vivek: Where does the fear lie, in you being able to manage technical work as the stakes get bigger or manage the managing aspect of work?

I : The managing aspect of work. I was used to working on a project and closing my eyes to the rest of the world. All that mattered was the work I was into. But things have changed now. I require to put my efforts into much more. I have changed a lot already, but I know I have to change much more to reach the level I aspire to.

Vivek: You certainly need to keep changing to meet the new demands of your work, but I guess your answer lies in building skills you presently lack and focus on learning things that you think your bosses have and you don't. Things that you wish you possess when you are in your boss's shoes.

I: I guess you are right.

Vivek: Those things that you are referring to are called 'management skills'. Every one needs them more and more as they move up the ladder. Go get yourself a management degree, Aman.

This convinced me that I needed an MBA and I decided to go for it after that day.

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Case Study: International student getting an admission into Wharton Business School, one of the top business schools in the world. The study discusses the process as well as the important application issues for the business school admission process.

(This story is meant to describe the MBA admission process in the U.S. The name of the person, and some facts have been changed to conceal the identity of the person. The story must be considered fictitious.)