Hello:
It has been a long time since I posted here. It is hard to explain how much life went into “fast-forward” as soon as I broke into Asset Management. Since the last time I posted I have made great strides in obtaining my CFA (taking L3 soon) and have a great career albeit with a different asset management firm now.
I am ready for my next move and want to start an MBA program. Unfortunately, I am not able to go full-time because I am married and I’m anchored in Houston. So it has to be part-time and has to be in Houston. So, there are only 2 programs that I feel could actually help me: University of Texas at Austin-Houston and Rice University. Also, I now work for a massive global asset management firm and obtaining a MBA is needed to move into portfolio management (or as my director puts it, “They don’t say you need one but they all have one”). I want to stay at my firm but I have to factor in that I might need to seek a different firm when I have all the criteria (if my firm doesn’t have any openings)
Both have their pros and cons and I could use some objective input from people who understand the industry.
Texas-Houston: Is a satellite program from a nationally recognized MBA program.
Pro: It has a very large network and I always wanted a Texas degree (I bleed burnt orange). Texas is right now currently ranked higher then Rice for PT. Rice has been ranked higher for many years before. Career services are apparently shared between FT/PT.
Con: Since this is a satellite program I believe there would be limited resources. It would be a generalized MBA with no ability to participate in a student run fund (there is an investment club though) or to specialize. Career services are apparently shared between FT/PT.
Rice University: A Regional school with a strong reputation in Texas (especially Houston)
Pro: They allow the PT program to take any class at any time with the FT students. This would allow me to specialize. They also have a student run fund. The alumni base is loyal. Career services are the exact same between FT/PT.
Cons: The biggest con is that it is such a small school. The alumni base is small. It is almost a 4-1 ratio of Texas MBA to Rice MBA in AM and even worse in PE. Rice is right now currently ranked lower then Texas for PT. Rice has been ranked higher for many years before.
I find myself in an odd place. I wouldn’t consider myself a career switcher as I am already in the firm I want to work for; however; I would leave if I had too. I get to touch the work I want to do but I am not in a decision making role in terms of portfolio allocation. The linear progression for my job wouldn’t lead me directly to where I want to go. I am looking into a more diagonal move into fund management. So it pretty much boils down brand vs. content.
Thanks in advance for any input.
PS: I recently ran into one of my old college buddies he is in a PE firm here in Houston and I would make the switch if the opportunity ever presented itself. I have even joked around with him about it and it is clear as day I would need an MBA for a soft re-start if I wanted to go that route.
