Dear community,

I am a post graduate in Mass Communications (specialisation in Film direction - got 67 per-cent, top 5 per-cent of the graduating class) from the Mass Communications Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia. I have been working as a promos producer with a television channel for the past two years before which I scripted and directed television programs for a production company for a year. Although I am currently in the creative department, I am also involved somewhat in programming.

I did my graduation in Economics from SRCC, Delhi University , but got poor grades - 52 per-cent. My extracurricular record though, has been outstanding - Edited the college magazine, won lots of awards in creative writing, dramatics and debating at the inter-university debates, free lanced extensively for various publications (like HT, TOI, The Sunday Observer, Teens Today etc) writing mainly features on travel and poetry.

I am a little confused about what I should do to enhance my career propects. I think I could do well as a copywriter in an agency and don't mind giving it a shot, I could be a good ad film maker but freelancing at this stage seems a difficult option because of financial risks and there isn't much inhouse production in agencies. I wouldnot mind moving into communications and content strategy for a channel but am not sure how creative it would be and whether I am suited for it.

My questions are as follows -

# From what I hear, both in the ad world and the TV inustry, an MBA from a premier institute is imperative in senior managerial positions. Is this correct?

# What is the opportunity cost of doing an MBA from say, a good institute like IIM- A vis a vis relevent work ex in say Channel V? I am happy with my job, but somehow feel the long hours and relatively lesser financial rewards will get to me eventually.

# How far would my prospects improve if I decide to go in for an MBA considering that I will be taking a two year sabbatical fromwork and a student loan to finance my studies. Would it be worth it in the long run? I intend to specialise in marketing communications as this would help me in advertising even if I eventually chosose to work in the creative sector.

# Also, will my poor marks in graduation be a negative fator in the MBA interview (assuming I target the IIMs and clear the written)? Can this be offset by work ex - ( around three years in TV direction, good track record, good references from managers, got promoted etc)? What is the board likely to grill me on in the interview? My undergrad subject - economics since its such a favourite with mangement profs and about which I know nothing) or my post grad subjects - film, tv etc and work ex?

# Is it a better idea to wait for some more years and then do an MBA abroad since then I can go in for specialisation in entertainment managemnt and combine it with a few courses in advertising ( something not possible in India).

# Do media and advertisng companies recruit from buisness school campuses?

# Also, is my age a deterrent in going to B school in India - I am 26. Will be 29 by the time I graduate from B school, if I go in for CAT 2004.

# Do good business schools in India have lateral placemnts? Or do the majority of comnpanies recuit only freshers?

# Also, what is the industry perception of the two institutes where I studied - SRCC, Delhi Univ and MCRC, Jamia Univ.

Sorry to innundate you with so may questions, but I am thoroughly confused. Would really appreciate a quick response.

Thanks

Confused

Hi,

Let me congratulate you for having your thoughts clear in the first place. So don't call yourself confused!! Atleast you know what to ask.

Secondly, let me apologize for the delay in responding to your query, but here goes...

Well, yes, an MBA from a premier insttitution certainly helps to make it to the top echelons of any business. But let me accept the fact there are several businesses like the one you are in, where there is no dearth of people from the creative side who have made it to top positions. So, get your career aims clear and then decide on the next steps. You may simply want to enhance your technical skills i.e. in the area of film production by doing some course at a school like Tisch (forgive me if the name is not spelt right!) at NYU. There are also some courses available out of London, I am told. You could also check MSU in the USA.

Well, the long hours will only get worse with an MBA to back you, although you might spend more time in the office than on a filming site.

Of course you can increase your financial rewards, but chances are, that with an MBA, you will land up changing fields and may have to take a cut in your salary before the growth starts again. The growth may actually be exponential but will have a delay for sure.

As for an MBA in India, I would not advise you to look anywhere beyond that ISB right now as given your experience you will feel completely out of place with freshly minted graduates at any of the other B-schools in India. Oportunity cost will always be an issue in the short run but not in the long run. So get your long term goals clear and then evaluate this question.

Getting credit for your past experience is generally a tricky issue when it comes to most B-Schools in India and you may actually want to do the job hunt yourself to get a commensurate job.

As for your poor marks in your acads, let me assure you that you will be quite unique as an applicant and most schools would want to lap you up provided you can convince then about your uniqueness. Your acads will simply take a back seat then. Concentrate on getting a good GMAT score and this will, to quite an extent, take care of your poor numbers of the past.

As for the IIMs, I am sure you can convince the interview committee about your numbers as well, should you decide to go there in the first place. The interview committee can grill you on anything and everything and especially the stuff you write about yourself in the application. Typically they would focus on your past and future career and personal interests.

Most media and advertising companies recruit out of B-School campuses. In fact with NMIMS and some of the other schools offering specialised programs, they obviously tend to prefer students with some level of specialisation.

The impression about SRCC is certainly good, so that should not bother you. As I have said earlier, given the considerable experience that you have, your previous acads will tend to take a back seat compared to your recent achievements both professional as well as personal. It is up to you how you present them and make the best out of them.

Hope that answers your query. Wish you the very best in your academic pursuits.

Atul Monga