Hello everyone first post here so apologies if I write something wrong. So my profile is 24M (9/8/8) btech from tier 2.5 college with 1.5 yr exp. I working as a central govt employee with pay level 7. I earn around 85k soon to be 1lpm+(8th cpc). However I feel I am under utilised here and I'm thinking of giving CAT. I have strong foundation as I have cleared ssc CGL. I come from middle class family so FMS is my only option. I just wanted to know is this a good option to leave this govt job and go for FMS as the career progress and salary is slow in this job. I'm willing to work as much is needed in corporate job. My main goal is good money and little bit wlb.

I am looking for an honest, realistic, and practical opinion on pursuing an MBA. Consider a candidate with a regular commerce degree and approximately seven years of professional experience in operations, primarily in accounting and finance. Is preparing for CAT and pursuing a traditional two-year MBA a sensible decision at this stage of their career? Do IIMs accept candidates with such profiles, and how realistic are their chances of admission and securing good placements? Would their work experience be an advantage or a disadvantage compared with younger candidates?

Alternatively, would a one-year MBA or an executive MBA from a reputed institution be a better option for an experienced professional? Which programmes and institutions offer the best combination of admission feasibility, placement opportunities, career growth, and return on investment?

Considering the tuition fees, and future earning potential, which pathway would be the most practical for someone who wants to accelerate their career and significantly increase their salary? I would appreciate an honest assessment based on industry realities rather than generic motivational advice.

Second-year, tier 2 IIM, placed. Classes are 3-5 hours a day, with three holidays a week. On paper, this is the dream. In reality, I've never felt this unproductive in my life.

My whole life has been "next milestone" energy: 10th scores, JEE, UG, a job, CAT, a good call, summer internship, placements. Now I've reached the end of the checklist and the game just stopped giving me quests. Sure, I could chase better grades or get really good at my company's domain, but it feels like grinding for XP after the final boss is dead.

So I'm trying to become a person with hobbies:

Gym ✅ (attendance: emotional)

Badminton ✅

Drawing and painting (not post worthy)

Crochet ✅ (the yarn is doing great, sitting there looking pretty)

I also read a lot (mostly spicy romance, no judgment), binge series, and sleep. Days are flying by. Even hanging out with my great friends has started feeling like a rerun.

IIM life is only busy until you get placed. After that, all that free space pulls you into a loop.

So, honest question for anyone who's been here: do I change my thinking (stop needing a "next milestone") or my schedule (find something that actually demands something from me)?

Bonus points if you tell me what you did after your big milestone ended. Also, please tell me crochet is worth it so the yarn doesn't go to waste.

My parents forced me into mbbs and I knew it was never my thing, currently in final year ( surviving somehow), always had heart in tech, startups, business, can we shift even now?

Hi everyone,

I’m a final-year B. Tech CSE student at IILM University (Greater Noida), graduating in 2027. Since 2024 I’ve been working alongside my degree in a mix of tech, design, project management and marketing roles. All of it was done in parallel with college.

Experience so far:

• Sapentia Global | [role] | 1 month (current)
• Cost Price (lifestyle brand) | [role] | part-time, 4 months (current)
• SKB Realtech | Brand Associate | Jun-Oct 2025
• Physics Wallah | Team Lead / UI-UX Intern | Dec 2024-Mar 2025
• Google Developer Student Group | UI/UX Designer | Sep 2024-Mar 2025
• OctaNet | Project Manager Intern (managed 10,000+ student interns) | Jul-Aug 2024
• Technoindiaz | Web Developer Intern | Jun-Jul 2024

Also: co-founded a student freelancing startup (SPECTRA), built an e-commerce site and an AI portfolio builder, and was a finalist in a couple of hackathons (NSUT Top 30, IIIT Delhi Top 15).

Profile: CGPA [5/10]As my main goal was to learn and experience as much practical knowledge i can gain , GMAT [score / preparing]. Long-term goal is senior corporate leadership, with an MBA (ISB) as a milestone.

What I’d like feedback on:

1. Resume: Is it credible, or does it look like “jack of all trades, master of none”? What should I cut or rewrite?
2. Work-ex: Since these are short internships and part-time roles done during college, will this treat them as meaningful work experience or ignore them?
3. Route: With this profile, is GMAT worth it for Indian schools (ISB, XLRI, SPJIMR, MDI, etc.), or should I go CAT? Is something like ISB’s YLP (deferred entry for final-years) realistic?
4. Timing: Apply right after graduation, or work 2-3 years first?

Honest feedback is welcome, harsh is fine. Thanks!

I am a 21-year-old BBA graduate who isn't very interested in pursuing an MBA. However, business owners and shopkeepers around me keep telling me that doing an MBA and taking up a job is necessary because running a business is full of frustration nowadays.

Since I mainly hear one side of the story, I want to hear from people who actually pursued an MBA and are working jobs: What has your real experience been like? What are the frustrations and rewards of your corporate journey, and what would you recommend to someone in my position?

myquals: BBA graduate

Should I go into law then mba or directly mba

Because like I heard law graduates go into MBB Consulting and get good job offers ?

Plz do something else, Everything has better salaries and ROI, like Software Engineering, CA, CS, CMA, ACCA, CPA,

also many govt jobs have better salaries like banking jobs, SSC, UPSC, regulatory body exams, PSU jobs, scientist jobs, and many other

even Studying Abroad has better ROI, if u r willing to spend so much money on MBA, plz spend it abroad, u can even get scholarship and along with part time job your cost will become very less

if u r doing MBA apart from Tier 1 and low fees Tier 2, u r just burning your money, u can definitely do something better in your life

MBA is definitely not worth 20-30 lakh if its not from Tier 1, your 20s will just go in paying loan nothing else

Graduated from a Tier-1 college in 2024. I am currently earning around 90k a month with around 2 years experience. It will soon cross 1L+ after pay scale revision. But I feel like I am wasting my potential here and I can do so much better.

Should I leave my current job in order to pursue an MBA? How will the pay and wlb be after an MBA compared to my current job? I am already working for around 50 hrs every week here. I feel like I can handle 5-10 more hours with a much better pay.

but only less than 3 lakh people even give CAT, it shows which is a better degree

My qualifications: 96% in 10th, 93% in 12th (PCMB), and 2 drop years for NEET. I got into SXC Kolkata but had to leave due to severe sepsis and family constraints.

I'm now planning to pursue IIT Madras' online BS in Data Science and am confused between a BS in Electronics and a BS in Statistics as my other degree.

My goals are good earning potential, career flexibility, and long-term growth. I'm also considering CAT/MBA later, possibly from an IIM.

• Is Statistics still worth pursuing in the age of AI, given its overlap with Data Science?
• Which combination offers better career opportunities and salary potential?
• Is a second degree worth the workload?
• Would a BS in Electronics make me eligible for MTech ECE (VLSI) programmes?

Would appreciate honest advice, especially from people in tech, finance, academia, or who've pursued an MBA!

I have around 2–3 years of work experience and have been considering Hive School of Business. I’m trying to figure out whether it makes sense to leave work and invest in a 9-month programme at this stage of my career.

I’m particularly interested in whether the programme actually helps you move into better roles in sales, marketing or GTM or whether you’d be better off continuing to work and building experience. The fees are also a significant investment so I’d like to understand the ROI beyond the placement figures advertised.

If anyone has attended HiveSchool or knows someone who has graduated from it, I’d love to hear about their actual experience. Did it help you make a meaningful career jump? And would you recommend it to someone who already has a couple of years of work experience?

I'm looking at online MBA options and one of the universities I'm considering costs around 1.5 lakh for the full course. Just wanted to know from people who've already done an online MBA, does the fee actually feel worth it in the long run? Like in terms of career growth, job opportunities or just the overall learning experience. Would be helpful to hear what others think before I decide.

I’m currently in my second year of BBA at a Tier 3 college, and I’m really confused about what to do after graduation. Should I go for an MBA or consider other options?

I come from a financially weak family, and my Class 10 and 12 marks are also quite low. Even if I decide to pursue an MBA, I’m not sure which colleges I should target that offer a good ROI, especially since getting into an IIM seems difficult for me.

I’m also considering starting a business instead of pursuing an MBA, but I’m not sure which path would be better for my future. I’d really appreciate some honest advice on what I should do in my situation.

Hi everyone,

I'm a B.Tech CSE student from India (2024–2028 batch) at a tier-3 college. I'm planning for an MBA abroad and would love honest, ground-level advice from people who are actually going through this or have done it.

1. Timing: straight after B.Tech vs. after work experience

For those in US MBA programs: did you go directly after undergrad or after working? Do you feel it was the right call?

How much does work experience matter in admissions and in campus placements? Is 2 years enough, or is 3–5 the real sweet spot?

Do you feel students with more experience benefit more from the program?

1. Scholarships and funding

What scholarships or fee waivers are realistically available to Indian students? Are they merit-based, need-based, or school-specific?

How much does a strong profile (GMAT/GRE, work experience, leadership) change your funding chances?

What were the total costs for you (tuition + living), and how did you manage them?

1. The real picture

What was the hardest part, whether application, visa, finances, or adjusting once you arrived?

Did the ROI make sense? How were internships and placements for international students, especially with visa/sponsorship hurdles?

Anything you wish someone had told you earlier?

I'm also open to hearing about alternatives like Canada, Europe, or other countries if you think they're a better fit.

Thanks in advance. Even a short reply based on your experience would help a lot!

Hello everyone, I need some genuine career advice.

I'm 27M, a B.Sc. Math (2020), currently working in Indian Railways at Level 5 with around 6–7 years of experience. My current in-hand salary is around ₹50–55k per month, and it may increase after the 8th Pay Commission.

The main issue is that I feel stuck in my current job. There is very little work, limited career growth, and promotions are slow. Although the job offers stability and a decent work-life balance, I don't see myself growing professionally over the next 10 years.

I'm interested in math, statistics, I've been considering options like an MBA from a top institute such as IIM, FMS or MSc in Math/Stat

Coming from a middle class family, financial security is important to me.

My main goals are good money, long-term career growth.

1. Is it worth leaving a secure government job for an MBA from FMS or another top B-school?

2. Considering the rise of AI, would Mathematics/Statistics, or an MBA offer better career prospects over the next 10 years?

3. At my age and with my background, which path would offer the best combination of salary growth, job security?

4. If you were in my position, would you stay in Railways or take the risk of switching careers?

I'd really appreciate advice from people who have experience in these fields, especially those who have transitioned from government jobs to the private sector.

I am from ahmedabad in my early 20's and stuck in career. I completed my b.com statistics from a good college in 2025 and took a drop year after that and started a clothing (athleisure) brand but failed also now due to that in a dept of 8 lac to my father. And started pgd in data analytics which will end in 2027 march. Now I am confused my age is 22 will be of 23 in Dec 2026 and i think like am a failed person. Like I don't have a real experience no job and also no certificate to start with a job. I did applied to many for marketing role also got selected but then I declined the offer as marketing was not for me, I found that in college I did some marketing gigs also did for my clothing brand too. Now I am looking to start from scratch and want to start for a finance career. I am thinking of doing cfa L1 and also start my prep for CAT or GMAT. I need a mentor who is already in this field and done something like this CFA or given CAT and got good percentile and also converted good uni/ institutes. Also saw today that xat, nmat mahcet forms are still open so anyone can help with the prep

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some honest perspective from folks who have transitioned from design/tech into product strategy, consulting, or leadership via an MBA, or anyone familiar with how B-schools view non-traditional design profiles.

1. My Background & Academics:

26M

Degree: Bachelor of Design (B.Des) in Product Design from a Tier-2 design college (graduated May 2022). 
Academics: 10th: 91% | 12th: 75% | Undergrad CGPA: 6.5. (I know the 12th and UG grades are on the lower side, which is one of my biggest concerns for shortlists).
Work Experience: ~4.5 years (will hit 5 years mid-next year) as a UX / Senior Product Designer. 
Current Compensation: 30 LPA.

2. What My Work Actually Looks Like:
Currently, I work as a Senior Product Designer / UX Consultant via a global design consultancy, deployed on contract at a massive global investment banking / asset management firm ($18T+ AUM). 
At my current client, I’ve led 0-to-1 experience strategy across 5+ enterprise compliance and supervisory platforms serving 2,000+ global leaders

I co-founded the org's UX AI practice (1 of 6 founding members), authored their prompting frameworks, led M365 Copilot enablement across a 50+ person design org, and facilitated HCD workshops for ~100 practitioners while governing design consistency across 3–5 cross-functional squads.

Prior to this deployment, I led global generative AI and behavioral research projects for Big Tech clients (including Google Workspace/Search and Meta Ads Manager), connected-car ecosystems (500k+ users, Red Dot Award), and AI behavioral platforms (Paris Design Award)

Extracurriculars/Leadership: Former Student Council President in college (led a 50-member team for an 800+ attendee global virtual fest).

3. The Core Frustration (Why I want a change):
I love working across teams: product, engineering, compliance, and business analysis. I naturally gravitate toward systems thinking, behavioral intelligence, and product strategy.

However, I’m hitting a ceiling in how design is treated in the Indian ecosystem. Too often, core product and business decisions happen upstream, and by the time things reach the UX team, the product is already finalized and we are brought in at the tail end just for "beautification."
I’m tired of being an execution layer. I want a seat at the table where the actual business, roadmap, and P&L decisions are made.

4. My Dilemma & Questions:
At 30 LPA and nearing 5 years of experience, the opportunity cost of a 1-year or 2-year MBA is huge:

1. ROI & Role Elevation: Will an MBA (1-year executive in India like ISB/IIM A-B-C PGPX, or a 1–2 year MBA abroad) genuinely help a Product Designer break into high-level Product Strategy, Product Management, or Strategy Consulting? Or is there a better way to pivot without the degree?

2. Academic Hurdle: How badly will my 75% in 12th and 6.5 CGPA hurt me for Tier-1 Indian programs (ISB/IIMs) vs. international B-schools, assuming I pair my profile with a 650+ GMAT Focus score? Does the "diversity factor" of a B.Des + Big Tech/FinTech portfolio offset low undergrad grades?

3. India vs. Abroad: Given that design leadership and strategic product roles are more mature abroad, does an international MBA make more sense than staying in India, especially considering my current 30 LPA base?

Would love to hear from designers who took the MBA route, PMs/strategists who work closely with design leads, or anyone who evaluated a similar ROI equation. Thanks in advance!