Delaying graduation: good/bad idea?
Who else is thinking about doing this? A month ago, I would have NEVER even thought about this, but now Im getting 'desperate' (I guess you could call it that).
If I dont get an offer by December, I'm gonna take my GMAT and either try to get into a 1 year M.Sc program to start next fall or delay graduation by a year. Hopefully 2009 fall FT recruitment will look a lot better than this.
Pros:
-It will give me another (and more likely) shot at trying to get an SA offer; learned from my mistakes from last year
-If I just delay graduation...it will be a pretty lax year; gives me time to 'smell the flowers'
-More time to network
-Wont be stuck in some BO job
Cons:
-2009 FT recruitment may be even worse than this year
-I'll lose a year's salary (even if its a $35K BO job) while incurring more costs
-I'll feel like Im a year behind; bad for motivation
-And (the most obvious one) my current debt levels :P
Not sure what to do anymore :(






i think most people will
i think most people will tell you this is a bad idea. personally though, i dont think it is. if you really want to get into finance and can't right now, you'll have a better chance next year....man, these job markets suck so much
Financial Modeling Training
Guide to Finance Interviews
I might not have the best
I might not have the best advice but I remember reading an article in the FT or WSJ about this. it said that delaying graduation during a downturn increases your chances of getting hired the next year (assuming things get better).
however, i think this is only the best option vs. doing nothing.
Let me pose a question. Do
Let me pose a question. Do you feel that you can get an adequate score on your GMAT with minimal preparation? How much time will you have devoted to the exam before sitting for it?
ps - I work in a "BO" role
ps- I have a friend who works in a "BO" role at a top BB, works 9-5, compensated 140k + bonus/overtime, graduate 07
I've actually delayed my
I've actually delayed my graduation by a year or so. I'm going for a double major + Master. And if the economy recovers I can always drop the second major and graduate "early".
Plus it is much more fun to be in school than worrying about losing/finding a job.
How come your...
ps- I have a friend who works in a "BO" role at a top BB, works 9-5, compensated 140k + bonus/overtime, graduate 07
How come your title says "I work in a BO"
but the post says "I have a friend..."
Maybe
Let me pose a question. Do you feel that you can get an adequate score on your GMAT with minimal preparation? How much time will you have devoted to the exam before sitting for it?
My last final is on December 8th. So hopefully about 1 full month before Winter semester starts, then about another month of "partial" study. Most deadlines for MSc programs are about Feb/March so I think I have a good chunk of time.
Still go for FO
ps- I have a friend who works in a "BO" role at a top BB, works 9-5, compensated 140k + bonus/overtime, graduate 07
LOL...now only if I could get a 9-5 job that payed 140k total comp.
Honestly though, I'd take a FO job at a 30% discount over that, but thats just me.
What 2nd year BO analyst
What 2nd year BO analyst makes 140K?
I smell bullshit.
I smell bullshit.
i also smell bullshit...if
i also smell bullshit...if only because he says that his friend got 140k after bonus+overtime, but you don't get overtime if you're not doing more than 9-5...although people in ops can comment what they think.
Financial Modeling Training
Guide to Finance Interviews
I think he/his friend
I think he/his friend actually works in ops
but may be stretching the truth a little bit.
I don't think the 140k is actually cash comp, but total comp.
Sure, if you include 401k match, health benefits, ect. ect... you might hit 140k
Well if you include your
Well if you include your 401K, healthcare, dental, optometry, holidays, accrued sick days, free/subsidized gym membership, education reimbursement, adoption assistance, company life insurance, company training, and subsidized cafeteria food then yeah I guess you can make 140K your second year.
I really don't think you
I really don't think you should delay graduation, period. Even if finance doesn't work out, do something else for a year that looks good on a resume. Go abroad, live in a foreign country, learn a language, go backpacking through Australia, whatever! It will definitley beat spending a needless year in school and will make you a more interesting person with some life experience when you apply the following year. Having something to talk about outside of finance might just make you stand out in an invterview. It may seem like you are in a really bad place now, but as one door closes, another one may open. Staying one more year in school would add nothing new to your life. So take a chance and explore something different. Doing a graduate degree is certainly an option, but just sticking around in undergrad for another year makes absolutley no sense.
Mez, are you looking at Msc
Mez, are you looking at Msc from the United States or abroad? Are deadlines for top programs abroad (LSE, HEC, CEMS) that late? I know LSE opened up their applications around something like September. I can't imagine it would run until March...and if so, I can't imagine there would be many open slots. What is your take on this?
Who is paying for this extra
--
Support WSO.com and visit these links!
Financial Modeling Training
Guide to Finance Interviews
I'm applying to programs
a few of my younger friends
MS program is a good bet.
M.S. in Commerce at UVa's McIntire School
am I missing something?
GMAT is for b-school
Modeling Training
Finance Interviews Guide
Resume Review
I am also interested in this.
There is a good writeup of