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Should I Pursue an MBA at 32 to Switch Careers from Education Sector to Analytics/Finance?

Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1428 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Jun 18, 2024

Patrick Dsouza is the founder of Patrick100.
Along with his wife, Rochelle, he trains students for competitive management entrance exams such as the Common Admission Test, the Xavier Aptitude Test, Common Management Admission Test and the Common Entrance Test.
They also train students for group discussions and interviews.
Patrick has scored in the 100 percentile six times in CAT. He achieved the first rank in XAT twice, in CET thrice and once in the Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test.
Apart from coaching students for MBA exams, Patrick and Rochelle have trained aspirants from the IIMs, the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies and the S P Jain Institute of Management Studies and Research for campus placements.
Patrick has been a panellist on the group discussion and panel interview rounds for some of the top management colleges in Mumbai.
He has graduated in mechanical engineering from the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad. He has completed his masters in management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jun 17, 2024Hindi
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Actually, I am 32 year male, unmarried and currently working in an Education Sector as a Content Manager/ Subject Matter Expert from the past 4 years. And, I did my BE in the year 2014 and since then I was preparing for UPSC civil services and even appeared in the interview but unfortunately didn’t tasted the success and join this industry on this basis. Whereas, I am got stagnated here and not getting much in term of salary or career growth and looking forward for doing MBA to switch my career field to analytics/Finance. I did Master in Public Administration in distance mode while I was preparing because this was my optional. Previous month, I took admission in Executive MBA from IIT Patna but unfortunately, its substandard in terms of quality and learning. I have certain doubts, Please let me help to come to the conculsion. Shall I go with the Full time MBA at 32 age by giving CAT/GMAT? Shall I opt for executive MBA from IIMs like Indore, Kashipur etc, here I have concern related to placements, considering 12 Lakh Fee? Shall I do 1 year full time PGP at IIM Indore, ISB or any good institutions for the change? Or shall I opt for CFA/FRM along with my IIT Patna Executive MBA? I am way behind my collogues and even not settled due to my UPSC unsuccessful attempts, I need to switch the filed. Please revert and help me out tin clearing my dilemma, I am really very confused right now.,

Ans: It is advisable to write GMAT and try to do Executive MBA from one of the good IIMs or XLRI. These colleges do have good placements and it could help your career. Usual requirement for these courses is minimum 5 years of work experience
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Hello Sir..i m 33 yr engineer mommy to 2.5 yr daughter..want to do an MBA from tier 1 college. After graduating i was lecturer in engineering colg hv 2 years of experience n after that working in govt Bank from past 7 years. Gave CAT twice but time constraint n toddler was not able to crack.last year got finalised for NMIMS hyderabad but dint took admission as away from mumbai n not that great bschool.going to give cat this year as ladt chance but i m very very confused n stressed that should i go for it or not, m having age barrier ,a growing kid,offc n home work pressure, managing all this i could hardly make time of 2/3 hrs to study with low energy..i thought of executive mba but was thinking doin executive taking so much risk wil actually land me where? Also as d growing age n 9-5 job health hampers sometimes with backaches n end of day i think that is my decision really worthy,shud i really go fr it or settle wid what i hv, in short m trying to jump from comfort zone to competitive world where i il b having colleages 10 yrs younger n smarter than me..but i get a kick wn i c womens sparking high.can u plz guide me sir taking my decision?
Ans: I believe instead of looking for 2 year full time MBA course, try for Executive MBA course from some of the top IIMs or XLRI or ISB. You would have to write the GMAT which requires less amount of preparation as compared to CAT. Minimum work experience required for doing Executive MBA is around 5 years. So the others would also be of similar age.

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Asked by Anonymous - Sep 29, 2025Hindi
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Sir, after completing my B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering in 2015, I prepared for GATE and various state-level mechanical exams. Unfortunately, I was not able to clear them. After spending 4–5 years preparing in this field, I shifted my focus to banking exams. In banking, I was able to qualify in the prelims when vacancies were good, but I could not clear the mains. Now, at 31+ years of age and without a job, I recently qualified in the ICET exam with a rank under 100. However, due to a poor choice, I opted for a college that had IT companies in its placement record, thinking it would increase my chances of recruitment, instead of choosing a UNIVERSITY that had better opportunities with banks. Later, I even gave up that college seat. At present, in the special counselling phase, I am unsure if I will be able to secure a seat again in the UNIVERSITY. I am confused about my next course of action—whether I should pursue an MBA or not. I would like your guidance on the following points: Do banks in India or IT companies offer better recruitment opportunities for MBA graduates? Do banks like Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank, which recruit through MBA programmes, have an age limit? Do IT companies impose an age limit for MBA placements? Should I join whichever MBA college I get admission into this year, or wait one more year, reattempt the exam, and aim for the desired university? Please guide me on the best course of action..
Ans: It is better to take up a job so that there is some work experience there in your cv rather than just joining any MBA college. you can simultaneously prepare for MBA entrance. But join only if you get a good college. Else take a few years work experience and try for executive MBA course later. Another option would be to do short job oriented courses in the area you are interested.
Banks may not have age limit when the recruit, but your age could face a problem in some of the companies. Same goes with IT companies.

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CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Oct 01, 2025

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Sir, after completing my B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering in 2015, I prepared for GATE and various state-level mechanical exams. Unfortunately, I was not able to clear them. After spending 4–5 years preparing in this field, I shifted my focus to banking exams. In banking, I was able to qualify in the prelims when vacancies were good, but I could not clear the mains. Now, at 31+ years of age and without a job, I recently qualified in the ICET exam with a rank under 100. However, due to a poor choice, I opted for a college that had IT companies in its placement record, thinking it would increase my chances of recruitment, instead of choosing a UNIVERSITY that had better opportunities with banks. Later, I even gave up that college seat. At present, in the special counselling phase, I am unsure if I will be able to secure a seat again in the UNIVERSITY. I am confused about my next course of action—whether I should pursue an MBA or not. I would like your guidance on the following points: Do banks in India or IT companies offer better recruitment opportunities for MBA graduates? Do banks like Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank, which recruit through MBA programmes, have an age limit? Do IT companies impose an age limit for MBA placements? Should I join whichever MBA college I get admission into this year, or wait one more year, reattempt the exam, and aim for the desired university? Please guide me on the best course of action...................
Ans: It is better to take up a job so that there is some work experience there in your cv rather than just joining any MBA college. you can simultaneously prepare for MBA entrance. But join only if you get a good college. Else take a few years work experience and try for executive MBA course later. Another option would be to do short job oriented courses in the area you are interested.
Banks may not have age limit when the recruit, but your age could face a problem in some of the companies. Same goes with IT companies.

..Read more

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Ravi

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Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Dec 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 02, 2025Hindi
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My married ex still texts me for comfort. Because of him, I am unable to move on. He makes me feel guilty by saying he got married out of family pressure. His dad is a cardiac patient and mom is being treated for cancer. He comforts me by saying he will get separated soon and we will get married because he only loves me. We have been in a relationship for 14 years and despite everything we tried, his parents refused to accept me, so he chose to get married to someone who understands our situation. I don't know when he will separate from his wife. She knows about us too but she comes from a traditional family. She also confirmed there is no physical intimacy between them. I trust him, but is it worth losing my youth for him? Honestly, I am worried and very confused.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I understand how difficult it is to let go of a relationship you have built from scratch, but is it really how you want to continue? It really seems to be going nowhere. His parents are already in bad health and he married someone else for their happiness. Does it seem like he will be able to leave her? So many people’s happiness and lives depend on this one decision. I think it’s about time you and your BF have a clear conversation about the same. If he can’t give a proper timeline, please try to understand his situation. But also make sure he understands yours and maybe rethink this equation. It really isn’t healthy. You deserve a love you can have wholly, and not just in pieces, and in the shadows.

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IIT-JEE, NEET-UG, SAT, CLAT, CA, CS Exam Expert - Answered on Dec 04, 2025

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My son will be appearing for JEE Main & JEE Advanced 2026 and will participate in JoSAA Counselling 2026. I request clarification regarding the GEN-EWS certificate date requirement for next year. I have already applied for an EWS certificate for current year 2025, and the application is under process. However, I am unsure whether this certificate will be accepted during JoSAA 2026, or whether candidates will be required to submit a fresh certificate for FY 2026–27 (issued on or after 1 April 2026). My concern is that if JoSAA requires a certificate issued after 1 April 2026, students will have only 1–1.5 months to complete the entire procedure, which is difficult considering normal government processing timelines. Also, during current JEE form filling, students are asked to upload a GEN-EWS certificate issued on or after 1 April 2025, or an application acknowledgement. This has created confusion among parents regarding which year’s certificate will finally be valid at the time of counselling. I request your kind guidance on: Which GEN-EWS certificate will be accepted for JoSAA Counselling 2026 — a certificate for FY 2025–26 (issued after 1 April 2025), or a new certificate for FY 2026–27 (issued after 1 April 2026)?
Ans: Hi
You need not worry about the EWS certificate. Even if you apply for the next year's certificate on 1 Apr 2026, the second session of JEE MAINS will still be held, followed by JEE ADVANCED, which will be held in May. JOSAA starts in June. so you will have 2 months in hand for fresh EWS certificate.

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