Currently working as an engineer, but trying to break into finance in 2-3 years. So I was wondering if it'd be worth going to a school for MBA that are out of top 20-25. I'm thinking Boston College, Boston University, or Babson (well out of top 35).
Would it be worth spending the money for an MBA at one of those schools or I'm better off pursuing MSF at on of the top 20 MSF schools or pursue a MSA, work at one of the big 4, and then go for an MBA again?
Your best bet is to shoot for a top 20 MBA. Any reason you don't thing you'd be competitive? Many of those programs like ex-engineers. I'd kill it at your current job and just go the MBA route.
Well mostly because there isn't much upward movement in engineering unless you're working there for 7-10 years. The most you can go up in ranking is from an Associate engineer to Engineer. To go to next step, Senior Engineer, it'd take 3-4 years and I'm hoping to begin my MBA in 1-2.5 years. I think I have good academic credentials: had excellent ecs and leadership experiences in college, 3.4 gpa as mechanical eng. major, and I'm pretty confident I can beat 700 or + if I study hard for my GMAT. It's the current work leadership part that worries me.
Will going to BC, BU, or Babson be bad?
Should I look into MSF/ MSA if it's not a top 20 school?
Thanks everyone for your inputs. I'm mostly trying to stay in the Boston/Mass area after graduation and possibly would like to stay in the area for grad school too. So if I don't get into Harvard/MIT, would it be wirth going to BC/BU? It's much cheaper and their placement rates are on par with Harvard/ MIT. BC had 91% placement while Harvard had 93%, MIT had 95%
Also: How does online MBA from Indiana sound? It's one of the top 15 MBA schools.
It sounds terrible. If your goal is to break into a new career, you need to go in person or not at all.
I can't advise about the schools you are mentioning, but placement rates aren't created equal. You also need to look at what industries people are placed into, and the average salary. 91% at BC sounds goods, until you find out that the average salary is 94K (median 90K). Average salary for finance/accounting is even lower at 86K. The good thing is that 37% of the class heads into financial services, even though I think we all realize what a broad category that is. Top employer for the school last year was a tie between Fidelity, Liberty Mutual, and Staples.
It sounds like you have some time; if you can really get the GMAT you say you can, go to a better school, and then just recruit for jobs in your area of preference. No reason why you couldn't go Minnesota/Rice/Wash U range schools, and then head back out east. Definitely no reason why you can't aim a little higher (Indiana FT, UT,Notre Dame) and go out east. And if you don't get into any of those schools, then consider your current set of schools.
For starters, go into a full time program. Everyone I've spoken to has had nothing but negative things to say about your prospects of career changing from a part time or distance program.
Second look into some of the top 25 programs. There's a couple out there which are relatively doable to get into given a decent (if not superstar) profile and a good effort. A lot of those place very well into finance and have great finance programs, whereas others will get you there but require more effort because there aren't enough interested students to justify recruiting tips (Indiana being the prime example).
When you said the top 25 programs, did you mean from a part-time prospective or full-time?
Full time. Part time is generally viewed less favorably, and I've been told that it's because part time programs are generally considered less rigorous and selective.
Hmm. That's interesting. I talked to a career graduate services personnel from one of the schools that I mentioned above and he said being a part-time MBA student while working sends a strong message to employers. Apparently employers like how the student can juggle both work and an MBA rigor education. I'm really confused now.
Quis deleniti error qui voluptatem delectus. Eveniet dignissimos quia quia consectetur maxime excepturi asperiores sunt. Aliquid fugiat ipsa ab in ut. Harum ut quia maxime natus. Ut qui dicta sed officia odit.
Officia saepe harum porro eaque aut sunt praesentium. Magni recusandae repellendus recusandae placeat. Non impedit nostrum sequi ipsam repudiandae beatae similique. Nihil voluptatem impedit non ipsam excepturi nobis. Est iusto consequatur dolorum et ut et officiis est. Perspiciatis officiis sunt ad consequatur voluptatem doloribus. Cupiditate maxime ipsa dicta occaecati et.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...