Corp Fin Brand Name (SBs for good posts!)

I'm thinking of making a career transition, and WSO has always given me good advice. I'm willing to bust out the Silver Bananas for your help!

I am am a corporate finance analyst (FP&A) at a large software company that you HAVE heard of, but is not really on the cutting edge. Think:

Intuit
Adobe
Electronic Arts
Symantec

I have been here for almost 2 years, have a good relationship with my boss and good reviews, but due to some restructuring within the company, I may have to move to a less desirable geographic location, and I DON'T want to make the move. Naturally, I've been looking into some other technology companies, and may have an opportunity at a smaller company that has been making headlines. Think:

Zynga
Linkedin
Salesforce.com
Groupon

I know that name brand and recognition is extremely important for the top B-schools (I'm targeting the T15). ALL ELSE EQUAL, will working at a smaller company like Salesforce or Zynga be a downgrade from an established Fortune 500 company?

 

I am interested in knowing this as well in terms of B-schools. Is working at a company "on the cutting edge" not as valuable as a brand name? Not that they're are mutually exclusive.

 
Best Response

If you want to work at a VC in future, working at a venture funded startup is the way to go (best option to actually start a venture funded company). I think all these companies are equal in terms of 'prestige' for business school. You will fall under the 'tech' category so the company name isn't going to make much of a difference. It's not like you are working at a no-name garage start-up.

 

Agree with above. In fact, the 2nd list of companies might be a bit sexier as far as business school is concerned. As far as putting together a cohort of individuals who others will enjoy being around, such experience will be quite valuable, much more so than at any of the companies in the 1st list. Also, it might just slightly aid you in getting into VC as mentioned above, though really not much if at all.

Take the new job.

 

Leaving a solid F1000 for a faster-paced company that's only been around for a few years shows greater initiative and risk appetite, without being absolutely foolhardy. B-schools will love it. If you check all the other boxes, I definitely see a Sweet 16 finish here.

The truth is you're the weak. And I'm the tyranny of evil men. But I'm tryin', Ringo. I'm tryin' real hard to be the shepherd.
 

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