Transitioning from non-profit to corporate
I have five years economic development experience and I will be attend business school in the Fall to transition into either strategy consulting or real estate/public sector consulting.
My big issue right now is that I was laid off last fall and have not been able to find a new job since then. I have already been accepted into a business school that is starting this August, but now I start school in five months and I am still trying to find a job. Should I give up on trying to find a high-profile full time job and just take a job in retail to make some money before grad school or should I take an unpaid internship at some local company (I haven't had much luck with this either)? This 7 month gap on my resume looks horrendous and I don't want that to be a strike against me as I pursue recruiting opportunities this fall.
Non profit experience (Originally Posted: 07/15/2010)
I could not find the right information within this blog. I am looking for an honest point of view. I have talked to admission counselors at schools, and frankly, they all want me to apply, obviously.
Here is the deal: 1)I have been working as an Audit associate at big4 since 2009.
2) I have founded and ran a non-profit- since last year- where I have "employed" volunteers to teach to minorities. Next year I plan on expanding abroad. It is incorporated too.
3) GPA: 3.4
4) GMAT 740
Do I have decent chance to get in a top MBA, and subsequently get into an MBB?
Thanks!
PM me
Nonprofit (Originally Posted: 02/01/2008)
Say that a person does a year of nonprofit work out of school. Will this person still be able to get a job in banking?
Absolutely not, you have to be cold hearted to work in banking. Non profit is a sign of weakness that won't even get you past HR.
Remember, you will always be a salesman, no matter how fancy your title is. - My ex girlfriend
does anyone have a real answer to the question? and if that is a real answer, it is pretty sad that someone would see giving back as a sign of weakness...
This will weaken your chances very much, that is true. Banks love IB internships and many times they hire the summer interns in large portions. The question will rise, why you haven't done anything related to finance while in undergrad. They want commitment and it is hard to tell you have it with only non-profit experience. It would be very wise to contact alumni, friends, etc...anyone you can, to arrange informal interviews and come up with a story to tell them, how you die getting into banking and how regret you have not realized this sooner.
Never give up! Watch Pursuit of Happyness (Will Smith)!
I have banking internship experience but am recently in between jobs and thought doing some nonprofit work while looking to secure a new one would 1) be a way to give back and do something good and 2) banks must look as it as a feather in their cap to say that they have someone who worked in a nonprofit (ACS, Peace Corps, Hunger Project, etc)..it would show they actually do care about the world as opposed to just making money off deals, which is all that does really matter to banks of course. I appreciate all the thoughts so far however.
I co founded my non-profit while I was still at school and prolonged my graduation to run it and hand it over to a local hospital organisation in Haiti. I was not looked down upon by any bank in particular. Having said that, you do need a strong story of how this experience further prepares you to excel as a banker. I can say that because I am currently working in a BB. Although mine was more of an entrepreneurial venure (A social enterprise type), just treat it as any experience and extract key take aways on Leadership, Project Management and Team work. If you relay this to any interviewer effectively I think you should be fine.
awesome...thank you all for your insights...it is much appreciated
From Nonprofit Jobs to a Career in Finance. (Originally Posted: 04/16/2014)
I'm from Los Angeles and have been living in New York CIty for 2 years. I found out about WSO surfing the web trying to learn more about finance and investment since I've been out of college. I've become bored to exhaustion and find little fulfillment working in an inefficient, nonprofit organization despite the great cause. I'm itching to dive into the business world and fully engage in competition, analytical work, and the dynamism of the market. I'm also eager to make a lot of money. I've decided I'd much rather give money and power for a worthy philanthropic cause than be miserable working for a nonprofit program. Has anyone here taken this kind of round about path to a career in finance?
Consider an MBA
It can be done, but you'll have a tough fight to get there. Search the forums to see if there are any relevant threads.
Advice on charity/teaching programs (Originally Posted: 08/14/2010)
I'm currently considering pushing back FT work (BB M&A) for around a year to ideally do some sort of charity work abroad (think Africa / Eastern Europe). I'd really like to get involved in a community and try to help build homes or something to that extent (some sort of labour related position, rather than an administrative position). Alternatively, I'd be open to microfinance and/or teaching.
First off, can I even convince a BB to push my offer back a year? If so, any suggestions as to programs that might fit what I'm looking for? I am not an American citizen which throws out peace corps.
If nothing else, a few suggestions re: very solid international charity groups would be pretty helpful. Thanks!
Would legit appreciate any comments/thoughts.
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