PMO at Bridgewater or 2nd Tier strategy consulting?

I'm currently working at a 2nd tier strategy consulting firm (going into my second analyst year, will likely be promoted in fall 2014), but was recently approached by Bridgewater about a role that essentially boils down to project management in their investment research department. The role seems to be very management focused and not highly content driven.

My main question is related to positioning for business schools. My plan had been to start applying to MBA programs following my anticipated promotion next fall, and my gut tells me that this is still the right course of action. Bridgewater is a prestigious name, and maybe carries some weight, but I'm not sure the role is the best fit or would position me best for top tier business schools. Any ideas?

 
Best Response

Assuming that you score relatively well on the GMAT. I don't think that the move to Bridgewater would hurt your chances at all, and like you mention, it is a quality name, regardless of how "quirky" it might be.

What you should be asking yourself is what you want to do post-MBA and whether the skills at Bridgewater will be transferable/relatable to your future career goals? If not, then is the only marginal benefit the name on your CV? Still a valid reason to head over, in my opinion.

I say you might as well go through with the interview process to see what comes of it and then make your decision.

Nice guys may not finish last but they sure don't finish first. Loyalty is not rewarded, it's taken advantage of. 
 

BW contacts LOADS of people, they literally have dozens and dozens of recruiters all over the place. They first send set you up an account so you can access their personality tests and then they interview all to find best fit... % with offers is very low. So keep that in mind.

[quote]The HBS guys have MAD SWAGGER. They frequently wear their class jackets to boston bars, strutting and acting like they own the joint. They just ooze success, confidence, swagger, basically attributes of alpha males.[/quote]
 

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