Is an international MBA your ticket to a brilliant career?

If you already hold an Indian MBA degree/ diploma, does it make sense to go abroad for another one?

Karan Gupta, overseas education consultant, answered these questions and more during a chat held with Get Ahead readers on May 15.

For those of your who missed the chat, here's Part II of the trancript.

Analyst asked, I have cleared Level 2 of CFA (AIMR) and currently working as investment analyst in a KPO.Will my CFA background help me in admission into a top 5 US b-school?

Karan Gupta answers, All business schools value diversity. Your CFA experience will add value to your profile, and you will have better chances of admission.

ABBA asked, Hi.I am CA,CS and CWA from India and MBA DLP from Manchester Businesss School with 10Yrs. Work Exp.Do u think I shud do a full time MBA from Top US BSchools?If Yes,what schools shud I target

Karan Gupta answers, You can always consider an Executive MBA. An Executive MBA will hone your skills and teach you the newer management concepts. You can consider Executive MBA programs in the US, UK and even in Europe.

cupidpuneet asked, HI Karan.. can u name some good universities for online management programs, open for indians too...

Karan Gupta answers, Question answered earlier. Please look at the chat transcripts.

debasish asked, I am a Diploma im Mechanical Engineer doing Production JOb here in kolkata. Now I want to make my MBA programme abroad can I do this

Karan Gupta answers, You are eligible to apply for an MBA if you have around 2-3 years of full time work experience and a GMAT score.

Amit Thakore asked, Hi Karan I need to apply to US College but my Ugrad GPA is not very good

Karan Gupta answers, Universities look at many factors while granting admission, including your GMAT scores and work experience.

vivekkhare1 asked, hi in how much time can i get the MBA Degree. I am M.Com, PhD.

Karan Gupta answers, 1 year in Europe/UK and 2 years in USA/Canada (exceptions to this rule are always there).

abhi asked, Which college in europe would you rate best for executive education. Profile being 9 yrs work exp and international exposure in IT field.

Karan Gupta answers, Insead has excellent Executive MBA programmes.

sparta asked, hich is more woryhy doin an mba from australia or from ireland? which education system has more value or repute?

Karan Gupta answers, It depends on the university you choose. You can find good as well as average universities in both the places.

Ganesh asked, Hi karan, what is the advantage of foreign mba over indian mba

Karan Gupta answers, If you get an international MBA from a top university abroad, you will most likely be able to get an international job as compared to a local job in India with a local MBA. However, it is best to compare individual universities rather than countries.

Amit asked, Hi Karan, I am a software engineer and recently moved into the United Kingdom on transfer from my company. I am keen to do MBA here in UK and want to know what are the various options available to persue MBA staying in UK an a part-time course or correspondance along with the job. Please advice me on this.

Karan Gupta answers, Visit universities close to where you work/ study and discuss part time MBA options with them. Many universities will allow you to work full-time (on a work visa) and study part-time. Remember you cannot study full-time on a work visa.

kk asked, hi is the tasmas university pune is internatioal university afilated by uk n thwere standard also same like other university in uks

Karan Gupta answers, Please beware of such universities. These universities are generally not good, and the degrees are worthless.

groami asked, hi, i am a teacher & wan to pursue MBA while staying in delhi & with scholarship

Karan Gupta answers, You can consider an online MBA at universities such as Imperial College, University of Phoenix and IE Business School.

ameet asked, Hi, i am working in HR-Staffing. I am planning to do an MBA abroad.Which area of specialisation should i vouch for? and which college would provide the best of it?

Karan Gupta answers, Please study the courses under each specialisation before deciding on one particular specialisation. And look at www.report-ed.com for a list of top business schools worldwide.

paliwal asked, Hi Karan I m Ravi Paliwal I m planning to go for Banking & Finance course in Edith Cowan University to Australia Pls let me know about this university.

Karan Gupta answers, This is an avearge university and chances of getting a job there after you graduate from here are very dim.

Kautilya asked, What MBA course do you suggest to be a Business Analyst in the IT field?

Karan Gupta answers, You can pursue an MBA specialising in IT.

Karthic asked, Hi Karan, I'm a Mech. Engg graduate with 10 months work experience as of now. I would like to pursue my MBA. Assuming i get a score of above 700 and have good academics, what are my chances of getting into a good top 50 business school with my current work exp? How much do i need minimum? What about scholarships? What are the other alternative ways in which i can fund my education as in loans etc? What about countries other than US like the UK, Singapore or Australia? How good are the job opportunities in these places? Finally, are one year MBA's worth taking up? Will there be any discrimination when taking up jobs after a one year MBA?

Karan Gupta answers, With just 10 months work experience, you will not get into any top business school. Nor will you get scholarships. Look at an MBA after you collect at least 2-3 years of full-time work experience.

vinaysingh asked, Hi, Karan i am computer operator in hutch phone and i want to join a good university for corresponding mba pls guide me

Karan Gupta answers, You can consider an online MBA at universities such as Imperial College, University of Phoenix and IE Business School.

MILAN asked, HELLO SIR, SIR, NOW I AM WORKING. AND I WANT DO MBA BY CORRESPONDENCE. IT'S GOOD FOR ME OR NOT.

Karan Gupta answers, It depends on what your career goals are.

dhiren asked, Hi karan, i am a mechanical engineer working in the scientific field for the last six years. I want to pursue an MBA degree in finance from USA university. I fear any university will admit me as i am from scientific field. can you suggest some college in us where i can apply.

Karan Gupta answers, Universities value diversity and hence will consider your science background as an asset. Take the GMAT, collect 2-3 years of work experience and you can apply to the leading business schools.

naz asked, hi..am a civil engineer with 3 yrs exp. as consultant in dubai.right now im handling india operations of our family business in real estate.well im planning to do my mba from abroad after 2 yrs..what are the possibilities of gettin into a good school

Karan Gupta answers, Take the GMAT and prepare your applications carefully. You have good chances of getting admission into business schools, as you meet the minimum work experience requirement.

Hemanth asked, hi Mr,karan, what are the main elegibility criteria to get into good business school in US? is it academics? or experience ? or GMAT score? or financial status?

Karan Gupta answers, GMAT scores and work experience are the most important factors that are considered while granting admissions.

Phani asked, Hi Karan. I am a software professional having 1 year of IT experience. I want to do my MBA from the Harvard University. Where can I get the Compelte information regarding this?

Karan Gupta answers, www.harvard.edu

JAY asked, HI Karan, i have given my gmat and got a score of 5000 at second attempt and have a toefl cbt score of 243, 15 years of education.need to do mba in finance in usa.i have got 58% in third year bcom in 2003 and have a work experience of working in my own family business .whats my chances of getting admits.

Karan Gupta answers, Choose your universities carefully. Apply to universities where you meet the minimum criteria and you will have no problem in getting admissions.

 arnab asked, Hi Karan, how far online MBAs and Distrance learinig MBAs are recgnised by Indian Industry.., i have 3.5 yrs exp in I.T what should i pursue Part time or full time MBA

Karan Gupta answers, Online MBAs are generally not recognised in the Indian market. Please make sure that you do your research carefully before deciding on any MBA program. Most people do online MBAs to increase their knowledge and skills and to expand their own businesses.

sarvesh asked, i am working last 2year as com. accountant. i want to bcome mba form finance. so please give me suggestion

Karan Gupta answers, Remember US universities need 16 years of education for applicants from India. So if you have a BCom degree you will also need to pursue the MCom degree. With 2 years of full time work experience, you can apply for admissions to business schools. Take the GMAT and decide on your business schools based on your GMAT score.

Karan Gupta says, Dear students, thank you for the insightful questions. We have to end now. Look out for the next Rediff Karan Gupta chat. Goodbye and have a great day!

Part I -- MBA programmes in the US and UK

Karan Gupta is an education consultant and can be contacted at kgc@karangupta.com
For more information visit www.karangupta.com or www.report-ed.com