Can you spot an entrepreneur at a bschool ? Chances are he is the guy who never really focuses on anything. Atleast that is what comes off the research by a Stanford Prof Edward Lazear. I’ve had plans to get an MBA, but for me, the situation has been a moving target. Started my first company after writing CAT the second time around and almost never got around to studying for any exams after that. But I knew, that if I ever did an MBA, I would do a General MBA without any majors and without any focus on any specific topics.
Lazear in the study states “Those who end up being entrepreneurs study a more varied curriculum when they are in the [MBA] Program than do those who end up working for others”. Makes a lot of sense because I don’t think current or would be entrepreneurs would be interested in studying in depth in a certain focus area. I guess thats why most of the entrepreneurs are usually jack of all trades. Hey that works for me, I can always hire the functional dude to work for me 
Comments 4
Hey.. PG
Can you please write about how you got started as an entrepreneur? How did u decide to plunge into entrepreneurship? Did you make a business plan and all to get started, what problems you faced and how you overcame them… and finally your views on whether it is advisable to mention the word ‘Entrepreneur’ in traditional Indian B-schools. I tried that last yr. at NMIMS and got Very low marks in the interview inspite of it going well and the prof. saying ” We can see that you are very passionate abt being an entrepreneur and wish you all the best.” in the end. I am a bcom guy an am giving CAT again this year. Since work-ex and 10+2+4 is required for US b-schools.. am planning to do MBA here first… I would really appreciate if you could reply. Thanks a lot!
Anand.
Posted 14 Aug 2005 at 10:24 pm ¶Anand..thats a lot of Qs there! Anyway.. I started off when I was 21, clueless about business/business plans and their likes. I ‘plunged’ into entrepreneurship because I felt that was the only area I could do justice to myself. I am a crazy dude, impatient and needs to see things done. Plus I felt the relative risk was less when I was young. I could afford to make mistakes and learn from it
. As for problems, they are a part and parcel of business. You just move on n on n on .. You NEVER STOP. period. I dont think there are any hard and fast rules as to what you can speak in an interview, but if you have had prior entrepreneurship experiences, I think the adcom will look favourably since you are providing more substance to your own claims. As for 16 years, some of the top 10 – 20 institutes, don’t require you to have done 16 years of ed. and a 15 year degree will do. Also, not all schools abroad will accept you if you already have an MBA degree. For the requirements, it would be best to talk to individual schools and check with them.
Best of luck.
Posted 16 Aug 2005 at 10:19 pm ¶Thanks!
One more question.
” I would do a General MBA without any majors and without any focus on any specific topics.”
Where is such a course offered in India. Is it ISB?
Anand.
Posted 18 Aug 2005 at 12:33 am ¶I hope you realize its not about a specific ‘course’. Its more about your choice of subjects when you would be getting around to getting your degree. That said, yes, ISB is a place where you can do a general MBA degree,but then so can you from IIMA
Posted 18 Aug 2005 at 11:43 am ¶Post a Comment