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ralen_jor's picture
(Chimp, 9
 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 10:30pm

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seabird's picture

Thank you for your service.

PE
(King Kong, 1,472
 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 8:02pm

Thank you for your service. There is a strong presence of military people in finance as you probably know at this point, including a number of the people on this board. You will likely have difficulty getting in to PE post mba without experience prior to it. At least one board member here who was a service member got in to a top middle market PE firm straight out of the military though without any experience, though at the entry level position. He is, to the best of my knowledge, going to be applying for MBA's in the near future. He is in Boston though. You may want to look in to the programs that exist at some firms for veterans. I know that it isn't what you are looking for, but a lot of the investment banks have programs for vets, and that is a common option for working prior to moving in to PE. Also, it seems to me that even enlisted people get good access to mba's as long as they have good records. See this guy for example:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/didimolenaar

You may be interested in looking at Linkedin to find other former service members. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me. However, I am not a vet, just a fan.

“...all truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.”

- Schopenhauer

GutShot's picture

Feel free to PM me

ST
(King Kong, 1,249
 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 8:36pm

Feel free to PM me

ekimlacks's picture

1. MBA programs are strong on

IB
 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 8:43pm

1. MBA programs are strong on leadership. Your military experience will help with getting into a top program, despite your "less prestigious" undergrad.

2. Yes, it is more common for officers to transition. No, you will not be looked down upon for being enlisted. Your experience will be met with respect and gratitude.

3. No idea about recruitment from those areas.

Feel free to PM me.

Full Time:
First Round - 0
Second Round - 0
Final Round - 1
Offers: 0

APAE's picture

No career pointers, just a

(Neanderthal, 3,660
 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 8:44pm

No career pointers, just a genuine thanks from the bottom of my heart for your service.

A lot of people do certain things to add days to their life. I do things to add life to my days.

protectedclass's picture

Congrats! DLI is a tough,

 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 9:52pm

Congrats! DLI is a tough, and shows that you have the skills to handle anything.

Get a 700 on your GMAT, and you can get in into at least one of them. Prior officers will look down on you, nobody else will know or care.

RiskyBizness's picture

5 year Navy vet here. I got

IB
(Orangutan, 275
 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 9:55pm

5 year Navy vet here. I got out of the Navy without any college 6 years ago, went to a top public school (after JC) and came into a middle office role in finance.

One tough point you may find, is that a lot of these places will ask for SAT scores. My public university choices didn't require it, so I never bothered to take it. You'll be coming in at a graduate level, so perhaps the GMAT will be more relevant, but it could be a bit of a pot hole for you. If the GMAT is the only standardized test these employers have for you, I think it may be more important for you than most. At the undergrad level, I know that can be a deal breaker for consulting. That said, McKinsey seems to love vets.

Feel free to PM me.

ralen_jor's picture

Thanks to everyone for the

(Chimp, 9
 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 10:08pm

Thanks to everyone for the very helpful replies.

RiskyBizness:

5 year Navy vet here. I got out of the Navy without any college 6 years ago, went to a top public school (after JC) and came into a middle office role in finance.

One tough point you may find, is that a lot of these places will ask for SAT scores. My public university choices didn't require it, so I never bothered to take it. You'll be coming in at a graduate level, so perhaps the GMAT will be more relevant, but it could be a bit of a pot hole for you. If the GMAT is the only standardized test these employers have for you, I think it may be more important for you than most. At the undergrad level, I know that can be a deal breaker for consulting. That said, McKinsey seems to love vets.

Feel free to PM me.

I looked at the MBA admissions requirements for the programs I'm considering, and I've only seen the GMAT and GRE listed, so I plan to take both of those as I get further on down the line. I actually took the SAT two years ago as part of an application for a commissioning program, and my scores were pretty good. Math and Verbal combined to 1250; I don't remember my writing score. I have the score report stuffed in a drawer somewhere and can produce it if an employer wanted to see it. Good tip though- I had no idea an employer would actually care about that. Thanks.

M. Blank's picture

ralen_jor, I'm actually a

O
(Baboon, 102
 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 10:11pm

ralen_jor,

I'm actually a Navy Officer, a graduate of SAIS, and about to begin an MBA at a top program (H/S/W). I think I can answer some of your questions.

First of all, no matter what other people say... go for it. You never know until you try.

1. The fact that you are enlisted doesn't matter. DO NOT LET THIS STOP YOU. I know a few Es that have done quite well. All of them had fairly impressive careers and went to top MBA programs, however.

2. I'm not an admissions officer, but I think you would be severely handicapped by your undergrad if you were applying to a top 20 MBA program. With a decent GMAT, however, I suspect that you'd be competitive at either Georgetown or UMD. Also the lack of brand name UG is easy to explain... you did it on active duty. Honestly, knowing how difficult it is to be on active duty and finish a degree, I give you a lot of credit. If you spin it right, you can use that to your advantage.

3. SAIS is a completely different beast. It is an international relations program, not a business program. It does have a strong international economics program, however, and a lot of grads go into the public sector. So places like the IMF and World Bank. Quite a few people go into international development and work with NGOs. I know a couple of people that went to work for McKinsey in government services. It does not feed people into IB, PE, VC, CF, or S&T. SAIS is a top IR program so your UG degree may be an issue without strong GRE scores. SAIS does have a joint program with Wharton.

4. Crush your GMAT/GRE. If you do well, I think you will be fine. That's the reason that standardized tests exists- to norm people that come from a broad range of backgrounds.

Best of luck.

They all have husbands and wives and children and houses and dogs, and, you know, they've all made themselves a part of something and they can talk about what they do. What am I gonna say? "I killed the president of Paraguay with a fork. How've you been?"

melvvvar's picture

what's your URM status? if

(King Kong, 1,693
 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 10:37pm

what's your URM status? if yea, you're gold.

Ranger375's picture

I was enlisted in the Army,

PE
(Monkey, 63
 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 10:42pm

I was enlisted in the Army, and am finishing my undergrad at a state school. While it seems like most military vets working in finance are former officers, it seems like being enlisted can give you just as much of an advantage when trying to break in, as long as you have a good head on your shoulders. Also, I have been very pleased at how receptive former officers have been when I have reached out to them.

With that said, I don't know of many former enlisted vets working in finance, but I think that has more to do with the kinds of people that enlist in the first place (I don't know many guys I served with who want to work in finance). As far as recruiting is concerned, my veteran status has helped me tremendously -- I will be with a large, well known PE firm this summer and they have made it clear that they will give me a full-time offer if all goes well. I know another prior enlisted vet as well who is doing his MBA at my school (with no pre-MBA finance experience) with a PE internship this summer at a large firm.

Feel free to pm if you have any specific questions.

yhp2009's picture

Don't worry about your

 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 11:05pm

Don't worry about your enlisted background. Frankly? Yea, you're at a disadvantage compared to an ex-officer, but you have a strong selling point regardless. Your MI experience coupled with your leadership roles should be emphasized for your MBA packet. If you love traveling, I would recommend Consulting. Just ace the GRE or GMAT.

Suggestion: From my experience the GRE is much easier.

blastoise's picture

this shit really got on the

O
 
Points)
 on 5/13/12 at 11:09pm

this shit really got on the front page

come on .....

mongoose's picture

blastoise: this shit really

O
(King Kong, 1,028
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 12:17am
blastoise:

this shit really got on the front page

come on .....

These guys signed up to put their lives on the line for us. Can you show some respect, you worthless POS?

blastoise's picture

JamesHetfield: blastoise: t

O
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 12:18am
JamesHetfield:
blastoise:

this shit really got on the front page

come on .....

These guys signed up to put their lives on the line for us. Can you show some respect, you worthless POS?

Give me a reason why this thread to deserves to be on the front page.

holla_back's picture

blastoise: Give me a reason

O
(King Kong, 1,084
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 12:29am
blastoise:

Give me a reason why this thread to deserves to be on the front page.

It's late on a quiet night -- why wouldn't a thread like this make the front page? There have been some interesting, informed responses thus far.

holla_back's picture

A few questions for all of

O
(King Kong, 1,084
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 12:46am
mongoose's picture

holla_back: A few questions

O
(King Kong, 1,028
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 12:56am
holla_back's picture

JamesHetfield: holla_back:

O
(King Kong, 1,084
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 1:10am
protectedclass's picture

holla, what did you do after

 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 1:25am
holla_back's picture

protectedclass: holla, what

O
(King Kong, 1,084
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 1:28am
protectedclass's picture

holla_back: protectedclass:

 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 1:52am
M. Blank's picture

Holla, I didn't contact any

O
(Baboon, 102
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 7:28am

They all have husbands and wives and children and houses and dogs, and, you know, they've all made themselves a part of something and they can talk about what they do. What am I gonna say? "I killed the president of Paraguay with a fork. How've you been?"

mr_gondola's picture

Check out this blog: good

O
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 10:23am
ralen_jor's picture

M. Blank: ralen_jor, I'm

(Chimp, 9
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 5:07pm
Rupert Pupkin's picture

I'm a 4-year enlisted Marine

IB
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 7:18pm
M. Blank's picture

ralen, SAIS does put people

O
(Baboon, 102
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 9:08pm

They all have husbands and wives and children and houses and dogs, and, you know, they've all made themselves a part of something and they can talk about what they do. What am I gonna say? "I killed the president of Paraguay with a fork. How've you been?"

cplpayne's picture

protectedclass: Prior

IB
(Gorilla, 518
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 8:52pm

"One should recognize reality even when one doesn't like it, indeed, especially when one doesn't like it." - Charlie Munger

holla_back's picture

cplpayne: protectedclass:

O
(King Kong, 1,084
 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 9:05pm
protectedclass's picture

holla_back: cplpayne: pro

 
Points)
 on 5/14/12 at 9:50pm
melvvvar's picture

prior officers will know who

(King Kong, 1,693
 
Points)
 on 5/21/12 at 11:48am
mr_gondola's picture

Unfortunately, I think the

O
 
Points)
 on 5/29/12 at 11:40pm
mappleby's picture

What happened to

O
(Baboon, 102
 
Points)
 on 5/30/12 at 8:00pm
cphbravo96's picture

First, thanks for your

PE
 
Points)
 on 5/30/12 at 11:58pm

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
- Ronald Reagan

cphbravo96's picture

Also, reach out to veterans

PE
 
Points)
 on 5/31/12 at 12:03am

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
- Ronald Reagan

EnlistedMarine's picture

Don't know if you've ever

O
(Chimp, 5
 
Points)
 on 12/19/12 at 8:16pm
marcus2012's picture

I am in DC as well, trying to

 
Points)
 on 12/21/12 at 12:30am
HG14's picture

In addition to the above

O
(Monkey, 64
 
Points)
 on 12/22/12 at 1:47am

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