Speaking from experience, I worked for three years before I was accepted into a good MBA program. Work experience allowed me to better understand and relate to case studies and classroom discussions.

Even way back in 1986, one of my classmates at IIT was selected by IIM Calcutta right after his B. Tech. He declined the IIM Calcutta offer. He said he would first gain useful work experience for two years and then reappear for the entrance examination at IIM Calcutta. My classmate chose to work for two years in the automobile industry. He was accepted again by IIM Calcutta.

In the 1980s, MBA slots in IIMs were very limited. It was unusual for anyone to wait for two years. He did. In today’s world, with additional MBA options, take a long-term view. I encourage most students to gain work experience before deciding if they want to do an MBA.

Most people select a dream job in an OK company. I have seen people do better if they join an entrepreneurial company. If the company is doing well, the company will have more opportunities than leaders. They will offer new challenges and employees can rise. If the company is sinking or shrinking, the opportunities are going to be more limited every year.

The answer depends on your immediate interest. Very few people do both. I am one of them. I advise people to do an MBA only from a good college (top 20). I do not suggest doing an MBA just for the sake of doing an MBA. As mentioned earlier, proper skills are what employers want. Master’s programs (MBA and MS) are one way to gain those skills. Many successful people in our company never attended a formal Master’s program.

I also do not like to exercise. I find exercise boring and painful while I am doing it. However, I feel much better in the long run. Personally, I found that I enjoy playing badminton. So I play that sport on a regular basis. If I enjoy a sport, I am likely to stay with it.

Speaking from experience, I worked for three years before I was accepted into a good MBA program. Work experience allowed me to better understand and relate to case studies and classroom discussions.

Even way back in 1986, one of my classmates at IIT was selected by IIM Calcutta right after his B. Tech. He declined the IIM Calcutta offer. He said he would first gain useful work experience for two years and then reappear for the entrance examination at IIM Calcutta. My classmate chose to work for two years in the automobile industry. He was accepted again by IIM Calcutta.

In the 1980s, MBA slots in IIMs were very limited. It was unusual for anyone to wait for two years. He did. In today’s world, with additional MBA options, take a long-term view. I encourage most students to gain work experience before deciding if they want to do an MBA.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) and other similar schemes are a great way to save. Experts suggest ‘pay yourself first’ every month. If money is withdrawn automatically from my salary account and deposited to my SIP account, I cannot overspend.

Yes. Since we are living our life for the first time, we are amateurs. Avoid playing the ‘loser’s game’ and do everything with a deliberate purpose.

Just like our body, we want all of the body parts to work properly. One area may not be as strong. Similarly, most companies want us to maintain minimum standards in each area of our presence. Once we meet the minimum standards in every area, we can focus and excel in a few areas.

Reading books is one of the lowest cost ways of learning. Other techniques include audio tapes (podcasts) or videos (YouTube). We can attend classes where someone is giving a lecture. We can start a discussion or study group within our company.

Assuming that you like your company and the industry, I suggest working to identify areas of your job that you enjoy more. In my experience, 85 percent of the daily work in most jobs in most companies is routine and repetitive. Only about 15 percent of the work is new or different. If work was fun, most companies would not have to pay people to do it. Just like fun parks, people would pay to work. Experts suggest that areas that we enjoy more are probably related to our strengths. If we seek additional assignments in those areas, we likely will come out ahead in the long run.

As far as the manager is concerned, probably the feeling is mutual. Probably your manager does not dislike you. She probably just does not appreciate your habits and behaviors. Every person has their own unique work style. Some managers are more responsive to people needs while others are reserved and do not talk much. Some other managers are direct, demanding, and decisive. Once you understand the manager as a person, you can adjust your work style to meet your manager’s needs.

I chose professional growth and opportunities over living close to my family. In the new scheme (dhancha), most good job opportunities are limited to six or seven metros. If both you and your spouse work, it is unlikely that you will find two great jobs in a small city for the 40 years of your work life. We have to be prepared to move to another large city for professional reasons.