Rutgers MBA (PT), Transition from Engineering to Finance/Accounting

Hey guys,

I am currently enrolled at Rutgers MBA as a part time student (my employer, a large engineering firm/defense company is footing the bill). So, obviously I was an engineering student as an undergraduate. I did very well and continue to do well in the MBA program (GPA:3.9). I am concentrating on finance and accounting. Now, I am not naive to think I can target a BB front office job right out of the program, but am I naive to think that I could land a position at one of the B4 firms? (I know they are different, I was just making a point that I know the way things work, kinda). I am active within the program, holding leadership positions in relevant clubs, too. I understand that my situation isn't the most ideal for making this transition, but I am curious as to whether someone like me, with excellent academic standing, clubs, working full time at a prestigious engineering firm) would still find it to be very difficult. I network as much as possible, too.

Thanks for any input!

 
Best Response

Rutgers full time professional accounting MBA is a better way to get to big 4, the part time MBA is usually sponsored by employers with the intention of moving you up within your current industry. It's possible to go somewhere else, but you're going to have to network your balls off to do it. I investigated this route last year after seeing the "Think Rutgers MBA" signs on the PATH everyday, but ultimately you need to realize that OCR is closed to part timers for certain reasons.

Definitely look for a position where there is some carryover in the skill set, this will help. Also, make sure that you're not going to get fucked by your current employer if you leave them: they're footing the bill and there's always strings attached. Good luck, PM me if you want to go into more detail.

Get busy living
 

As a Rutger Finance major I have a simple yet commonly overlooked suggestion. Don't be the average 4.0 kid at Rutgers, you can get away with that for engineering major but Finance requires personality just as much as any other credentials. What I mean by that is study up on your " IB IQ". I bust my ass in school and I don't have your grades but working at a country club and being around a lot of Investment Bankers and Bfs taught me one thing...and its not NAG THEM FOR A JOB(some people think that's called networking). No, it taught me how to communicate, what to communicate and when. Helped me more than any of their internships would.

 
TheUndergrad:
As a Rutger Finance major I have a simple yet commonly overlooked suggestion. Don't be the average 4.0 kid at Rutgers, you can get away with that for engineering major but Finance requires personality just as much as any other credentials. What I mean by that is study up on your " IB IQ". I bust my ass in school and I don't have your grades but working at a country club and being around a lot of Investment Bankers and Bfs taught me one thing...and its not NAG THEM FOR A JOB(some people think that's called networking). No, it taught me how to communicate, what to communicate and when. Helped me more than any of their internships would.

I'm not particularly certain where the "nag them for a job" comment came from - most likely just a general comment (because I don't believe I implied that I do it). I'm not concerned with the networking aspect of the process, fortunately.

Making moves...
 

Comment wasn't about you, just a general observation of others. With hiring freeze and with the amount finance degrees out there unemployed, everyone turns to networking. And networking is great when its done right. But from my experience, its more often done the wrong way(nagging) and it really closes a lot of doors especially for young people. So just wanted to help you out with what I know, not taking a jab.

 
FutureMBAer:
Hey guys,

I am currently enrolled at Rutgers MBA as a part time student (my employer, a large engineering firm/defense company is footing the bill). So, obviously I was an engineering student as an undergraduate. I did very well and continue to do well in the MBA program (GPA:3.9). I am concentrating on finance and accounting. Now, I am not naive to think I can target a BB front office job right out of the program, but am I naive to think that I could land a position at one of the B4 firms? (I know they are different, I was just making a point that I know the way things work, kinda). I am active within the program, holding leadership positions in relevant clubs, too. I understand that my situation isn't the most ideal for making this transition, but I am curious as to whether someone like me, with excellent academic standing, clubs, working full time at a prestigious engineering firm) would still find it to be very difficult. I network as much as possible, too.

Thanks for any input!

Do you think is better to major in Engineering or Accounting for undergrad? I am considering both but not sure which one is better; maybe you can give me some advice because you were an engineering major.

Thank you

Mps721
 

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Mps721

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