This seems to be a question many Indian applicants think of when applying to a B-School abroad. Numerous factors play into the decision-making factor such as including the work-experience in a different country, the financial liability (yes, b-school is expensive, and even more expensive when you earn in Indian rupees!), and the possibility of moving back to India as an expat. Over the years, not more than 1-2 people typically tended to move back to India from a graduating class at Kellogg. However, this year, 5+ students (including me!) have already decided to make the move back. So here are some basic considerations:
How do I get the job?
In terms of recruiting and actually getting a job, many major recruiters especially Management Consulting firms recruit for the India offices on campus. It involves networking at school as well as the home office as far as possible. Some people directly approach recruiters in Indian companies and the Kellogg MBA often helps in opening doors. For the company that I intend to join, an executive search firm, I went through 2 rounds of interviews in the Chicago office before moving onto interviews in the Delhi office. It’s best to let the recruiters know of your interest in moving back early on. With the Indian markets growing tremendously, they usually welcome top talent from a leading business school in the India offices.
What’ll happen to my loan?
It’s easiest to make the move back if you come sponsored by your pre-school employer who has also committed to helping you pay off your loan. For the rest of us the decision can be much harder. However, a lot of top companies understand the financial liability and are willing to pay salaries (perhaps even a large signing bonus) which make it easier to pay off the loan, especially if you live at home and don’t pay rent, etc.
Should I get work-experience in the US?
Ideally, yes! Working in the US or a country outside your home country is a great experience given the globalization of most companies. Not only does the external work experience help you understand cultural differences but also teaches you how to apply best practices across the counties. But the final decision should also be based on the Employer that you intend to join and the role at which you will start. Working with a great brand name in India continues to remain a better option than working for a mediocre brand name in the US. This coupled with the fact that a lot of companies look for people to go back to the home country may mean that you get additional responsibilities in India itself, contributing to a fantastic post-MBA experience.
Suchi Sethi (KSM'10) is the President of the India Business Club. She worked as a consultant with Deloitte before school and will be joining an executive search firm in Delhi post school. She can be reached at ssethi2010@kellogg.northwestern.edu
How do I get the job?
In terms of recruiting and actually getting a job, many major recruiters especially Management Consulting firms recruit for the India offices on campus. It involves networking at school as well as the home office as far as possible. Some people directly approach recruiters in Indian companies and the Kellogg MBA often helps in opening doors. For the company that I intend to join, an executive search firm, I went through 2 rounds of interviews in the Chicago office before moving onto interviews in the Delhi office. It’s best to let the recruiters know of your interest in moving back early on. With the Indian markets growing tremendously, they usually welcome top talent from a leading business school in the India offices.
What’ll happen to my loan?
It’s easiest to make the move back if you come sponsored by your pre-school employer who has also committed to helping you pay off your loan. For the rest of us the decision can be much harder. However, a lot of top companies understand the financial liability and are willing to pay salaries (perhaps even a large signing bonus) which make it easier to pay off the loan, especially if you live at home and don’t pay rent, etc.
Should I get work-experience in the US?
Ideally, yes! Working in the US or a country outside your home country is a great experience given the globalization of most companies. Not only does the external work experience help you understand cultural differences but also teaches you how to apply best practices across the counties. But the final decision should also be based on the Employer that you intend to join and the role at which you will start. Working with a great brand name in India continues to remain a better option than working for a mediocre brand name in the US. This coupled with the fact that a lot of companies look for people to go back to the home country may mean that you get additional responsibilities in India itself, contributing to a fantastic post-MBA experience.
Suchi Sethi (KSM'10) is the President of the India Business Club. She worked as a consultant with Deloitte before school and will be joining an executive search firm in Delhi post school. She can be reached at ssethi2010@kellogg.northwestern.edu
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