Microsoft FRP vs Amazon OFRP vs GE FMP for MBA

Hey everyone, longtime lurker, first time poster here. I'm a student veteran, studying economics and finance, currently in my final year at a top public uni (think UNC-Chapel Hill, UT Austin, U-Mich, UVA, etc). I have fortunate enough to secure two job offers for after graduation. One is with Amazon for their Operational Finance Rotation Program, which is pretty new; the other is Microsoft for their FLDP which I hear is very well regarded. I am also in the process of interviewing with GE FMP, I originally had a superday lined up with them but had to cancel and reschedule due to having two exams on the same day and my professors not letting me take those on another day; haven't heard back from GE on when they will interview me.

I pretty much wanted to see if I could get some advice on what offer to go with, or if I should hold out and shoot for GE. My goal is to get into an M7 MBA program, with my top choice being Harvard. I was also thinking of working for one of these companies from 1-2 years and try to lateral into consulting at MBB or a good 2nd tier, like Deloitte, etc. to give a better chance at M7 MBA. Which of these do you guys think would give me the best chance of achieving that?

About me, I previously did four years enlisted in the military before going to college, have some pretty good internships with Goldman Sachs (back/middle office) and PwC (tax consulting) and am also 1st generation Hispanic-American if that makes any difference. Thank you very much in advance, hope to hear from you all soon

 

Between Microsoft FRP and Amazon Op Fin Rotation, my vote would be for Microsoft. Their rotational program is very highly regarded. The culture there is also better than Amazon, in my opinion.

However, I would see how the GE process goes before accepting. GE is probably a notch above the Microsoft rotation program. When does the offer expire from Microsoft?

I have a tender spot in my heart for cripples, bastards, and broken things
 

Join a program that creates products that you're interested in. If you love software, or the business of software, it's really down to MS or Amazon. However, if you love things like aircraft engines, gas turbines, MRI machines, then GE would be the way to go.

I say this because you will probably have to talk to the product/commercials guys very often, especially when you need to build the 3-statement projections. If you aren't interested in the product, it can be especially ardous.

That being said, if you like Deloitte consulting, GE FMPs are heavily recruited by them.

 

Thanks guys for the responses. What do y'all think of Microsoft FRP in regards to top MBA chances? I've heard GE FMP >>> M7 MBA is common. Do you all think it looks better to have GE than Microsoft on your resume for the purposes of MBA admissions?

For the offer, Microsoft's salary would be significantly higher if what I hear about GE's FMP salary being 60K. I'm more interested in the tech world, but I'd be willing to waive that if GE gave me a better shot at H/S/W. From what I've heard, they are scaling down GE Capital a lot, so I would most likely be placed within the other divisions like Power & Water, Aviation, etc. Their locations are pretty remote, whereas Microsoft would be in Seattle, with one of the being abroad if I'd like. I haven't been given a deadline yet for Microsoft, still waiting on my offer letter, I have just received a verbal offer.

 

Is there a reason why you're dead set on getting an MBA? If you are interested in consulting, I would accept MS offer and join their corp strat team after the FRP... if corp strat isnt for you, I would use that experience to jump over to an MBB.

 

AnonMonk1234 thanks for commenting. it's mostly because of all the great opportunities one is exposed to at at the MBA level. I'm still figuring out what I want to do 100%, but my options are maximised with a top mba, I feel one could go anywhere with that kind of network and background.

I'm considering corp strategy and then heading to MBB. Do you know if MBB recruits heavily from lateral hires, and if they mostly hire former IBankers or do they also look favorably on corporate strategy people?

 
Best Response

I have done an undergraduate internship at Amazon in operational finance and am quite familiar with Microsoft's FRP after interviewing for an internship there. First, Microsoft no longer allows FRP analysts to do corporate development rotations b/c strategy exists in a different org. From what I understand, that team has like 20 people in it. Many, with prior Big 3 consulting experience. However, unlike GE, you can more or less "make" your own rotations and have a strategy component in your rotation. This means avoiding a lot of the journal entries that are inherrent with GE FLDP and Amazon Ops Finance. You should look through LinkedIn and check out finance career paths for these companies. From my research, virtually no undergraduate Amazon Financial Analysts end up going to a top MBA program. GE also takes a ton of kids for their program b/c each business unit has their own program. So that means you could be stuck in GE Oil & Gas, even if you want experience in GE Power & Water. Due to its smaller analyst class level (20ish range now), if I had to guess, on a per analyst level, Microsoft is actually getting a higher ratio of kids into top MBAs. Quite frankly, in my opinion Microsoft's FRP is more favorable than GE. Great work-life balance, finance experience supporting hot trends like cloud computing products (e.g. Azure, CRM Dynamics, or Office 365), a wider breadth of experience (rotations across multiple BUs), plus a cherry on top having much higher comp (60 at Amazon if I had to guess, your statement of 60 at GE, vs. the 80ish range at Microsoft).

 

Also, I've chatted with two people at GE Capital. From what I interpreted after those two conversations, they're actively looking for new jobs. As reported in the news, when all said and done, GE Capital will have divested 90% of their assets.

 

Chiming in on this real quick. I've done a few internships in large-cap tech finance & currently in a tech LDP.

From my understanding, working with a few former GE FMP interns, the GE program is much more accounting focused, whereas others are less focused on that.

Deuces is correct in that most (but not) all strategy roles at MSFT are no longer an option during the program. These have largely been replaced by Long Range Planning roles (think less powerpoint and more excel, but often with a heavy strategic component). Those roles and some strategy roles are still around post-program. MSFT and GE both benefit from a relatively long history and pretty diversified revenue (I think GE beats MSFT here on both counts).

At AMZN the operations finance program is kept pretty distinct from the 'day-to-day' corp finance. I've mentioned this in the past, but most of the beef with Amazon comes from potentially getting screwed with a poor team/bad manager.

If you're ok with a bit more 'risk' LinkedIn's got a couple neat looking rotation programs (that were supposedly based on MSFT's rotation program). They look to have more of a strategy/analytics focus. Dropbox also has a pretty neat LDP gig that I've heard is fantastic.

Regarding exit opportunities, I would say right off the bat that Amazon folks tend not to go for an MBA - might just be a culture thing. I would also say that smart money is on staying with the company at least two-years post program. Often promotions are held back slightly during the FLDP itself and you hit the ground running and promotions catch up shortly after exiting. I think the best way to look at fldps is a 4 year commitment. I've heard of M7 MBA right after finishing an FLDP but usually those folks have pretty fantastic academic backgrounds anyways. I haven't ever heard of a lateral to Big3 out of a tech FLDP. Much more common to get an MBA first.

 
  1. Search function.
  2. You haven't taken the GMAT yet. sooooooooooooooooooooo no one can say now can they?

I think the answer is pretty obvious. You were a college athlete from a decent school with a strong gpa, You speak 2+ languages, I assume you are going to apply as a foreigner. Your work experience is decent and you've been working for 3 years. Not sure if CFA is taken into account with bschool admissions but having the tests out of the way is good regardless.

I am not an expert but I'm going to go out on a limb. White dude from non-target with decent job and 3 yrs work experience basically filters you out of harvard and stanford. 3 yrs xp might be too little for wharton or booth. You were active in stuff in college but what about now? Also, GMAT will make a difference. Aim for a 740.

Assuming you've never killed anyone and take the time to prepare your applications and write a compelling story and do well in the interviews I don't see why you won't make top 15 at a minimum assuming minimum 700 gmat.

 

Hello Everyone,

I received an internship offer from WF Corporate Banking (Asset-based lending) in NYC and I have an interview with Microsoft next week for the Finance Internship Program in Seattle. I am nervous about getting an offer from Microsoft, and finding myself in a complicated position due to better benefits. Microsoft pays partially for housing, transportation, and a higher salary (6k vs. 4k per month), and WF is not. As you guys know, the cost of living in NYC is way higher than any other city in the U.S. As an intern, I will do my best to secure a full-time offer by the end of the summer. Once I graduate from college, I would like to work 2-3 years, and then go to law school. Afterwards, I would like to pursue a career as a corporate lawyer at a Big Law firm. Let me know what you guys think. I want to take the best decision and make sure it will help me to advance in my career in the future.

 

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