Making an application to a top business school can be a daunting task, especially for those with a seemingly unconventional background in the Merchant Navy. However, a Merchant Navy background offers a unique set of skills and experiences that can make you a standout candidate in the MBA admissions process.
Case Study of John, a 2nd Officer in a Shipping Company having graduated from one of India’s finest Maritime Programs
Consider the case of John, a former (he is now the Operations Manager in one of Uber’s highest growing cities globally) Merchant Navy officer with over 10 years of experience navigating the high seas. John had always been interested in pursuing an MBA, but he was unsure of how to showcase his experiences in a way that would make him a competitive candidate for the top business schools he was interested in.
What was going in John’s head?
John realized that his time in the Merchant Navy had provided him with a wealth of experience that would be valuable to any business school. He had a deep understanding of the intricacies of the global supply chain and the legalities behind international trade. He was also familiar with working in a close environment with people from diverse backgrounds, and he had honed his ability to remain calm in difficult situations and inspire confidence in others.
John also knew that his application would be stronger if he could demonstrate the impact of his experiences on his professional development. To do this, he decided to work with one of CrackAdmission’s MBA admissions. The consultant helped John identify and highlight the key skills and experiences that he had gained from his time in the Merchant Navy and how these skills would translate to the business world.
John’s MBA Application Journey
One of the first things the consultant helped John do was to structure his experiences into a compelling story. John talked about how his time at sea had taught him the importance of careful planning and the need to adapt to changing circumstances. He described how his experience working in a multicultural environment had helped him understand the importance of tolerance and open-mindedness in business. The consultant also helped John to bring out the impact of his experiences by focusing on specific examples, such as a time when he had to make a difficult decision in a crisis situation and how that experience had helped him to become a better leader.
With the help of the consultant, John was able to craft a strong application that captured his unique experiences and demonstrated the impact they had on his professional development. He was able to showcase his supply chain understanding, his knowledge of global trade and legalities, and his ability to remain calm and confident in difficult situations.
John’s Fairytale ending (or should we say “Ambitious Start”)
John’s application was accepted by several top business schools, including ISB, IIM A PGPEx, and London Business School. He eventually accepted ISB, one of the world’s leading business schools, where he went on to earn his MBA and launch a successful career in the field of Operations, where he is solving complex rideshare problems.
P.S We had recommended him London Business School, but since he had spent a significant amount of time outside India away from family sailing, he wanted to pursue MBA from a place where he could be more available for his family
Takeaways from John’s Story
While the name John is fictitious and placeholder to uphold PID information, his story and journey is absolutely real. Like John, for those with a Merchant Navy background who are considering applying to a top business school, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Identify the key skills and experiences that you gained from your time in the Merchant Navy and how they translate to the business world.
- Focus on the impact of your experiences by highlighting specific examples that demonstrate your leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
- Work with an MBA admissions consultant who can help you structure your experiences into a compelling story and bring out the impact of your experiences in a way that captures the attention of the admissions committee.
- Showcase your understanding of the global supply chain, your knowledge of international trade and legalities, and your ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
By highlighting these skills and experiences, you can make a compelling case for why you are the right candidate for a top business school and demonstrate the impact that your time in the Merchant Navy has had on your professional development.
In conclusion, a Merchant Navy background offers a unique set of skills and experiences that can make you a standout candidate for a Business School cohort.
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Dose of Inspiration
Here are some of our Rockstar’s with Maritime Background we helped successfully navigate the MBA admissions journey.
