JazzyPretzel

Changing into Finance Domain or Wait it Out?

I'm a chem engineer with MBA in Finance (Tier 2 cllg). While pursuing my MBA I had two priorities clear - 1. Dont want a sales role & 2. Don't want to join a tech company (not exactly good with tech stack). As luck would have it, I joined IBM few months ago in a sales role 🥲 Since then I have been thinking a lot about my future. I need some external advice as I am already biased against the sales role -

In a situation like mine, should one immediately switch profile if possible or get some experience in sales before trying to switch?
Is it even possible to make the switch if I spend a couple of years here?
How difficult it is to make the switch to finance roles (financial analyst or similar) without a CFA and solely on MBA finance? I'm prepping for CFA but will appear next year post April.

TIA

14mo ago

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SwirlyNoodle

Stealth14mo

For tier 2 mba folks, your options will be limited. VC/PE/IB roles and Product roles would be difficult to get. So either you make your expertise in sales or heading a business unit aka category management or go into analytics.

JazzyPretzel

IBM14mo

I'm looking for FP&A roles. I know VC/PE/IB roles are out of reach. But is it possible to land FP&A roles with no prior experience? I'm good at analytics & I have an internship during my MBA in FP&A role

CosmicLlama

Stealth14mo

Don't join the fp&a role. Indian companies don't have its use. Finance team in India is ruled by CA. Being from T2 the odds of breaking into VC/PE firm with FP&a exp is very unlikely. mNC have limited scope of growth for that role. It's interesting but a dead end. Anyone who who says other wise probably do not come with your back ground.

QuirkyNugget

Stealth14mo

Try taking the first 2 levels of CFA. That will put the focus on the CFA instead of the mba.

JazzyPretzel

IBM14mo

I'll be appearing for CFA L1 next year

FloatingPancake

Stealth14mo

I would suggest switching to Finance/Analytics quickly. Business finance and FP&A have great opportunities in the Indian startup ecosystem. This also has a long term roadmap to become a CFO (might need to gain some exposure into controllership on the way)

SquishyPotato

Stealth14mo

Switch fast ... either in the same org or outside.
The more you spend time in your current role the more difficult it is to get out ( eventually it will lead to lesser opportunities for you to explore later on )

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