Career Pivot at 30: Director of Operations → MBA (ISB/IIM PGPX) → SaaS/Strategy? Need Honest Advice

Hi everyone,

I'm 30F and feeling like I'm at a crossroads in my career. I'd really appreciate some honest advice from people who've made career pivots or have experience with ISB/IIM PGPX placements.

Here's my background:

B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering

Total experience: 8.5 years

First 6 months in Sales

Next 3.5 years in Operations in Saudi Arabia

Currently Director of Operations and a partner at a global staffing firm, where I manage operations, client relationships, business growth, and teams.

While I've grown professionally, I've realized that I don't want to spend the rest of my career in staffing or operations. My long-term goal is to transition into SaaS Sales, Solutions Consulting/Solutions Engineering, Product, or Strategy roles.

To improve my chances, I'm preparing for the GRE and targeting a 330+ score. I'm also exploring scholarships because funding will be an important factor. My primary targets are ISB PGP and IIM PGPX programs.

My biggest concerns are:

Does my profile stand a realistic chance of getting into ISB or IIM PGPX?

Will my unconventional background (Mechanical Engineering + Operations + Staffing) put me at a disadvantage during placements?

Have you seen candidates successfully pivot from operations/staffing into SaaS, consulting, strategy, or technology roles after these programs?

If you were in my position, would you choose an Indian MBA like ISB/IIM, or would you aim for an international MBA instead?

I'm not looking for validation—I genuinely want realistic advice, even if it's tough to hear. If you've seen similar profiles succeed (or struggle), I'd really value your perspective.

Thank you!