Career Today: Help Tarun!!!

CAREERS TODAY: COUNSELLING
Help Tarun!!!

I am a 32-year-old analyst working in a multinational consulting firm. Six years ago, I joined this firm as a researcher and have worked my way up to become a manager. The problem is that I am the only consultant here from a second-rung b-school. This makes me feel inferior to my peers, all of whom are from the IIMs. I have tried my best to tell myself that it is my work that matters, not the institute, but that has not helped. Recently, I was denied a promotion and am now convinced that my academic background is the main reason for this. Should I continue to work in such a biased organisation?

You are making a wrong assumption that you haven't been promoted because of your educational background. After working for as long as six years, it is your work that speaks for you and not your academic background. You seem to be making a little too much out of this non-IIM issue. Go ahead and ask your boss whether that is actually the key factor hampering your professional growth. If the truth is what you think it is, then you are absolutely justified in leaving. If not, perhaps you need to ask yourself what is wrong and not hide behind your educational background.

I have been working in the forex department of a transnational for the past three years. I applied to and was accepted by the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management, Mumbai, for two part-time courses on offer: Master of Marketing Management, and Master of Human Resource Development Management. I am confused about which course to choose. Please advise.

It is difficult to advise you on what to choose, as I do not know your aptitude, ambition, and career goals. A smart thing would be to talk to people in both the departments. Find out what they are learning and whether that is the kind of thing you too, will enjoy learning. If you do either of the courses, will your company provide you with a better opportunity? This would be relevant in case you continue to work for the same company. You should talk to people in your company to find out.

I am a 35-year-old marketing professional heading the marketing function at a dotcom. Prior to this I have worked in the banking sector for 10 years. Although I enjoy my work, the dotcom I am working for, is not doing well. I have two offers in hand-one from a dotcom and the other from a bank with ambitious online plans. The dotcom industry is both risky and exciting. In contrast, the bank offers stability and a higher pay. My heart tells me to go for the dotcom, but logic tells me to join the bank. What should I do?

A decision like this is totally dependant on the individual's mental make-up, and his willingness and ability to take risks. This ability is a function of his educational background, financial status, liabilities, family, and other responsibilities. You are obviously willing to take the risk, but I must warn you that it's a big one. if you expect the dotcom to definitely succeed, then go ahead and take the offer.

I have been a manager with a FMCG company for the past three years. I did my MBA from IIM-C in 1994. My first job was with a consumer durables company. Both jobs have been in the sales function. I wish to study further, to accelerate my career. For this, I am considering the US as an option. What would you recommend, since I am already an MBA?

What exactly do you mean by 'accelerate' your career? There are no quick routes to becoming CEOs, as you probably know! Having said that, another educational degree and that too, from the United States America will definitely open fresh opportunities for you. But take into account the state of the US economy. Your prospect at the end of your education depends a lot on that macro factor. Further, what are the career prospects in your current firm-have you studied how other people's career graphs have progressed? These days, transnationals transfer managers from one country to another, and if you work for such a company, you could go abroad for a totally different reason. To cut a long answer short, do something that is in keeping with your long-term career plans, and not the other way round. Don't base your objective on your methodology!

Tarun Sheth, the senior consultant at the Mumbai-based recruitment and training consultancy firm, Shilputsi, addresses your career concerns every fortnight. Write to Help,Tarun!!! C/O Business Today, F-26, Connaught Place, New Delhi-1.

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