I had the privilege of meeting with Joe LeBlanc during the Rodeo. He is doing a great job with Tulane and this new energy program looks to be incredibly relevant and interesting. I posted about it on my site and wanted to bring everyones attention to it. If you are interested in energy, you need to check this site out.
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I really wish they would have come out with this program 2 years ago. I am now more of an MBA candidate versus a masters candidate. I will say this entire program intrigues me.
Agree. This program is extremely niche, but amazing in the space it plays in. I have known about the program for a while now and as more info is made available I have become more and more interested.
Wow this is really interesting. Do you guys see more opportunities coming in the energy sector with smart grids starting to be implemented? It seems like the market will become more dynamic as prices adjust to demand quicker. Thoughts?
Definitely had to throw in my application for this one.
Interesting. Give me 4 years and let's see what the playing field looks like.
when i was down there in september and joe told me about it before it even got approved i thought itd be great -- definitely taking the MSF 'idea' of just pure finance and applying it to energy.. will be good for energy trading, joe told me that it will be full cohort so will not be mixed with undergrads like a lot of the energy classes are now for masters i just wish it would also give associate placement :>
Associate placement is a function of previous experience. If you did 3 years in banking and got an MSF you could come in as an associate. This doesn't happen often because almost no top tier schools offer an MSF (MIT and Princeton being the exception). If you want to stay in banking and dont want to waste time, the MSF will do it.
I had the pleasure of taking a class with Prof. LeBlanc during my time at Tulane. Great teacher, great person. Definately one of my favorite teachers at Tulane. Submitted my app for Tulane MNRF on Feb 1st, and am very excited at the prospects.
Talked to the director of the program and he mentioned that he is lobbying for a joint MSF/MNRG program. No details yet, as it has yet to be approved, but that sounds like a hell of a degree.
I am trying to get hired to promote the program
As a current Tulane student, I have seen the over promise and under deliver from the Freeman school. I would wait this program out for a year or two and see if they can get anybody hired from this program. With the MSF, all we hear is positive comments from employers about how great the program is and how applicable everything we are learning is. But then they turn around and don't hire any graduate students. The employers tend to prefer hiring the BSMs who complete the honors business program. On the whole, they have better career placement than the MBAs or MSFs.
Appreciate your comments, but can you provide further detail? Pros/Cons, firms recruiting, placement stats, etc
Sure. Tulane does have a lot of top notch firms come recruit on campus. Deutsche Bank, Goldman, Citi, JP Morgan, Morgan Keegan, Conoco Phillips, Sequent, all the NO folks (Chaffe, Howard Weil, Johnson Rice), etc.
Of these firms:
Citi S/T: Restricted to BSMs. They opened it up to MSFs the day of the application deadline and then didn't interview a single MSF student. Conoco Phillips: Was a site visit during Freeman Days Houston. Also restricted only to BSMs. JP Morgan: Recent posting for Houston Commodities Analyst program, restricted to BSMs. Sequent: To be fair, they did hire a MSF class of 2010 student but they are not offering their rotational program this year. Its not any fault of Tulane, its simply annoying. DB: They did hire an MSF student this year for their Jacksonville, FL office. He is one of the 4 or 5 people with jobs as of now. Oh, Northwestern Mutual came to talk to us in one of Joe LeBlanc's classes this year. That's who I want to work for with a masters degree.
The problem with the Tulane MSF program (and it seems they are trying to rectify this with the Master of Mgmt) is that virtually all of the good, program defining classes are offered to both undergraduates and graduate students. The trading courses, the energy specialization, Burkenroad Reports, Darwin Fenner, etc. They actually have some cool courses at the undergrad level that aren't even offered at the graduate level. Last semester, they had a private equity and venture capital course. Interestingly enough, 2 of Joe Leblanc's 3 teaching assistants last semester were Honors BSM students with FT job offers from Citi and JPM.
So you're a recruiter. You probably know 2 degrees: Batchelors and an MBA, so you can choose from a Senior BSM doing the Honors business program who are TAing graduate students. Or you can pick this MSF student. Most recruiters don't know what to do with the MSF students so they simply exclude them. Sometimes they feel we are overqualified for entry level, but then we're underqualified for anything else. The Career Management Center then says there is nothing they can do about the employers not wanting to interview MSFs, because face it, they just don't want to piss off the people coming to recruit their prized Honors BSMs.
But honestly, the most annoying thing to me is that Joe LeBlanc, Eric Smith, and all the other professors parade these employers through showing off our expensive trading room (which is actually pretty cool) and the curriculum. The employers all think its great, and then they go and hire the BSMs because it is easier for them. Then Tulane goes and begins this new program. What does it mean for us? Who knows at this point.
I have not rec one penny from tulane and the people i know from tulane work at JP Morgan, Citi, Sequent and other top firms. I agree its a large program and tough to get everyone a very good job. Maybe you just had a bad exp. My advice is from what i seen with my eyes and thats people grad and working in s/t.
And you already outed yourself so who cares.
Would someone get a sh*tty placement from this program, if they don't have finance nor energy experience beforehand?
MSF or MBA? (Or something else? If so, what?)
I'll do a write up, but I'll create an alias since I've all but outed myself here
FutureBanker09, I can see where you are coming from in terms of on campus recruiting for MSF being more about business functions than pure IB. I also went to Tulane and found the value, not in the on campus recruiting but in the network that I was able to tap into. There were so many slack asses in my class that did Tulane UG and then the MSf just to have another year "to figure it out". If you really want to find a good job you can nothing is going to be given to you.
Maybe I'm being naive, but couldn't you then get a first solid job in NO, leverage that, and enter others geographic job markets with solid experience?
Too the guys who are dissatisfied with the program. Is it the school/program or you individual merits? I can see a valid argument if your top of your class and the opportunities aren't there, but if your stats are mediocre/subpar, well that's your own fault and of course your not going to be satisfied.
So everyone agrees that the OCR sucks, but wouldn't it be a big plus if Monty starts promoting the program since he runs the rodeo and works in HR (I think)? I think he'd be somewhat obligated to help place students if this were the case.
did you not read.. the energy rodeo is joe's idea.. i work for joe.. joe pays me.. i have not seen a cent but futurebanker09 says it true...
I am currently in the MFIN program. You get what you put into it. Tulane has a sick network, if you exploit it and actually pick up the phone and call an alumni who was in Burkenroads or Darwin Fenner (assuming you got into these programs) then you already have something to talk about.
I will admit the opportunities in New Orleans are somewhat limited, but the firms in Nola pretty much only hire Tulane students, so if you can get lucky and some spots open up, you are in a great position. And like Monty said, there are a handful of people who get great jobs with great firms every year. In my class we have people going to Wells Fargo (Trading Desk), Deutsche Bank (IBD), Halliburton (M&A analyst).
All in all, if you use the Tulane network and bust your ass in school, you will get interviews (it helps to have internship/full time experience also). Sounds like FutureBanker had a really tough time finding a job. That is the case for some people, but I can almost guaruntee that he didnt pick up the phone and make anything happen for himself. There are opportunities for sure, but they dont typically come on silver platters.
I completely second what LukeJackson says. Even if you dont have the experience coming into the program, Tulane sets you up with real world experience through the faculty selected Burkenroad Reports (IB/ER) and Darwin Fenner (AM) programs allowing you to have something to talk about during interviews. Like most things in life, you get out what you put in and I think that you are just a lazy sack of shit FutureBanker09.
im pretty sure you should know that tulane doesnt place for banking, they place for energy trading. maybe you should have done your homework on the strengths of your school instead of being a bitter bitch about it and complaining that the school didnt deliver when you didnt do your own due diligence.
and having met joe as well he is very intelligent and well versed and connected in the energy realm and i think if anything he is a boon to tulane's program so once again cut down on your bitching :> kthx
should refer to that WSO flowchart where 'did u go to target? no did u network work ass off 'yes' get interview no go on wso and bitch yes'
Haters gonna be hate, but FutureBanker09 is putting a lot of bad information out there. Joe has put a lot of work into the new energy management masters program by going to events like the Energy Rodeo where he is not only promoting the program but also connecting with professionals. He has an extensive network and is using that network to attract the top energy firms to recruit from the program.
Monty wears a bracelet that says WWJD. People think its What Would Jesus Do but its actually What Would Joe Do. He is an apostle of Joe-deism
I recently met a student who was enrolled in the program during an interview for IB. He echoed what a lot of people on this blog are saying...
His only complaint was that while he was impressed with the BB's and smaller outfits that interview on campus - he had interviewed with 5-6 great firms, he nor anyone in his class had landed a gig (this was late Oct.)
He said that the class that graduated before his was much more successful with job placement and that the people who ran the program were kind of shocked that noone had found a job.
Just a side note: He also said that while interviewing with this particular IB, they hammered him on the fact that his resume / program was so geared towards trading- and trading only. This might be the focus of the program, just something to think about.
He also noted that the school is EXTREMELY strict about resume formatting / and that you have to get your resume approved before you send it to anyone. Supposedly the format listed certain classes as major line items on the resume.
That could be good, if you had everything in the class down to a tee, but it could also make your look unprepared if a interviewer asked a specific question that he thinks would fall under the category of what you listed and you don't know the answer / didn't necessarily cover it in class.... just a thought
Any new program is going to run into head-winds though. I think this program has a lot of potential.
This is true to a certain point. You just have to get to know the people in the career center at Tulane, and once they know you're serious, they don't care if you send someone a picture of Bruce Jenner as you're resume. The set mine on auto-approve because I made changes constantly and reformatted, and because I got in front of so many great companies that they didn't want to slow me down.
Honestly, there are alot of retards at Tulane. And once they don't get a job, they like to come on WSO and bash the program because a great entry-level job paying 6-figures didn't fall into their lap. This isn't an ivy-target, they don't give great jobs to everyone. The top firms take the top kids, plain and simple. So stop bitching on here and start sending out some emails and cold calling.
so with the masters in energy would you be going for analyst or associate roles?
every firm i have talked to about it have said analyst..
yeah ill agree that the msf and undergrads sharing classes was whack but i was orig told the menergy was going to be standalone cohort
I was going to add my 2 cents but Breaux and Kimbo already nailed it. Basically employers have no clue what to do with MSF kids, and basically you will lose 99.9% of the jobs to Tulane undergrads simply because that's how it works. If you delve into the employment stats, they're pretty abysmal. I have nothing against Tulane as a uni. It's one of the better ones in the south. But the MSF program, MRisk, Master of Mangement in whatever, I really think are all BS, and you'd be better off saving the 50k, unless you like contributing to the Joe LeBlanc retirement fund. Guys like him and Ricchiuti aren't going to be helpful, but will 100% take credit for wherever you get once you get there.
are they taking credit for where your at?
I know Monty very well and have talked with him throughout the evolution of the rodeo. It is 100% all his idea and not Joe's. Joe was there representing Tulane just as a woman was there representing UHouston. Both are energy focused schools and it made sense for both to be at the event.
I have also spoken to a bunch of Tulane MSF students and they have given me very good opinions of the program. You are right, the MSF is not as well known as it should be. With the problem clearly defined, you have decided to piss and moan about it instead of trying to push and promote your degree.
The MSF is getting more and more well know. As more schools come on line and more MSF alumni get into the working world, there will be greater exposure and knowledge of the degree. I work continually trying to push and promte the degree. You should do so yourself.
All MSF degrees are regional and all MSF degrees have kids who do not get what they want. If you could get your dream job after your undergrad, you wouldnt be in the MSF to begin with. Many people fail to utilize the tools necessary. You got a job, dont you? Maybe it isnt your dream, but why have you given up?
I graduated from the Villanova MSF without a job. Didnt get one OCR interview either. It was my fault, not Nova, but I never once blamed them or tried to pass the buck. I kept working with the school, kept being part of the community and kept focusing on my goal. It paid off, about 5 months after graduation. Why have you given up already?
Anyone who heard me speak at the Rodeo should remember this statement. Burn the boats at the shore. You have a goal and you must be willing to do anything for that goal. Real easy to get distracted or lost on your way. If you want to achieve your goal though, you must stay the course.
In summary, air your gripes like an adult. Contact Joe and the career center and work with them. If all that fails, state the facts and be done with it. Trying to insinuate that Monty is in the pocket of anyone or being generally insulting is a quick way to discredit yourself.
Man, if this is how you react to not getting what you want, it really shows a lot about you.
Has anyone applied to this program and actually gotten in? I saw the first deadline was a little while ago
^^^ would like to know this as well. I applid for R2, decisions go out Tuesday I believe.
EyeLikeCheese...What's your gpa, gmat, undergrad? I'm trying to get an idea of what they are looking for
This is a new, timely, and distinctive 11 month degree focused on the Business of Energy and providing students with the advanced skills demanded by recruiters seeking professionals prepared for the rapidly changing energy finance, risk management and trading careers of today and tomorrow. The program comprises 13 energy focused courses and 34 credit hours and includes courses on energy sector fundamentals, modeling, data analysis, economics, trading, accounting, risk management, strategy and portfolio management. Each course was created or completely redesigned for the program and each focuses exclusively on energy. For more information you may check this link http://www.thedegreeexperts.com/
eyelikecheese...did you have an interview?
PM'ed you guys
best response on this thread was ANT's...What a great comment...seriously.
I dont know what type of jobs people with the Tulane MSF are looking for but i will tell you what.... i work in energy and I personally have heard this degree has opened doors for my peers... nobody hands it to u and just because you complete this or any other degree doesnt make you entitled to anything. the MSF has value and its a very very affordable and quick way to get rebranded if thats what u are looking to do.
So true. ANT was definitely spot on. It's always easier more self-satisfying to place the blame on anyone but yourself when things don't go the way you see fit. The hard work never stops.
hey eyelikecheese could you let me know you answers to those two questions also.
Bump.
Just got my acceptance email today. Very excited. I'd be interested to hear who else is considering.
Right with ya jiggy
Yeah son.New Orleans here I come. I'll see y'all there
@Kimbo
Graduated from the MSF program in spring of 2010. Prior experience included a summer internship in PWM at Merrill in NYC. Another summer internship was the GWMG rotational program at Morgan Stanley in Purchase, NY. Went to a small private liberal arts college in the south that has a solid reputation but is relatively unknown outside of georgia, florida, north carolina, tennessee, and virginia. Came straight from there to the MSF program after having my offer at MS cut bc of the merger with Smith Barney.
While others were focused on getting good grades, you just bust your ass in the summer courses and get a 4.0. then once summer is over you network like crazy with literally every person that ever went to Tulane. Probably had 7 legit interviews through october, 4 final round interviews, and 3 offers before the end of november. Of those offers, two were from OCR and the other one was from networking with family friends. Ended up in trading down in Houston and now moving over to do IB at one of the big banks down here.
Once again, FutureBanker, no one is going to give anything to you in this life and you have to fight and claw your way to the top. I highly recommend Tulane's program for the focused person as it CAN get you where you want to be. I partied my ass off in New Orleans and unfortunately had to watch all my friends in the program struggle to find jobs when they started looking in january or february. While all those who were hungry from the start had accepted offers before Christmas time. Thus avoiding all the bullshit small talk at all the christmas parties. If anyone has any questions PM me and I will do my best to answer.
Come on guys it cant be that hard of a sell. The school is in New Orleans. It's like being a freshman in college all over again but with the knowledge you have now. I cant even begin to tell the ludicrous stories.
I thought about applying to Tulane as a Freshman to do college all over again just for shits.
Me too HPM. Me too.
buster are you coming in as an analyst or assoc
Nice post ANT.
Anyone get their materials? If there is any fault that I have with my alma mater, its that there's 0 sense of urgency with administrative matters. People need to make career decisions here, and they haven't even sent out the tracking info on FedEx. Its not just Tulane though; that sentiment is more a Southern thing.
Wasn't the school closed for half the week because of Mardi Gras? I'm sure that has something to do with not getting the materials this week.
Yeah I guess I was in a bit of a crotchety mood yesterday. Still, I think my point stands. They sent out decisions last Thursday and were supposed to have remitted our materials by today. Still nothing. With a commitment deadline of April 5th, every last day counts. Especially in regards to weighing other offers, fin aid, etc.
I talked to financial aid. I don't think they offer anything got the business graduate programs except loans
Did they say what tuition is?
1,431 credit hour. I'd expect 50k a year for 34 credit hours. I'm no expert that's just wht I've been told/looking on the website. Also, packets should arrive Monday
Hey has anyone heard anything about placements lined up for the upcoming year? If not specific potions, what about companies? From my experience, Tulane has had good placements for their undergrads at places like Sequent, BP, Conoco, Halliburton, Stephens (IB- but slightly related), but I wonder how that will translate to Masters students who will (likely) command a higher salary requirement than traditional undergrads.
If anyone has any insight, please share. I'm going to call up Bill S. and try to find out myself.
Tulane's Master of Management in Energy is a new, timely and distinctive 11 month degree that begins in July 2011. The degree focuses on the Business of Energy and provides students with the advanced skills demanded by recruiters who seek professionals prepared for the rapidly changing skills demanded by management and trading careers of today and tomorrow.
another Career Services Troll
So I had a conversation with an someone in admissions, who has knowledge of prospective placements, etc. Lots of good info, maybe a bit brash with predictions, but it looks promising. PM me for details. I'll post my notes here sometime later, just too lazy.
Any new info regarding placements from this program?
I will send out some feelers on it tonight and report back.
From what I understand Tulane has very highly ranked MSF but much more well know for MNRG(Master of Management in Energy Trading and Finance). I hear guaranteed job post grad, and guaranteed internship during fall and spring semester. Lots of recruiting from Dallas/Houston/Charlotte and a little from the street. Does anyone have any knowledge of the GMAT range accepted into both MSF and MNRG at Tulane. I am curently 3.5 cumulative 3.7 core Finance gpa and 650 GMAT (1st attempt, will be taking again). Have 2 finance internships and 1 sales internship. Also have solid recs and good writing skill for 2 essays required. Anyone have any knowledge of how these stats stack up to current MSF and MNRG candidates or alumni? THNKS!!! any feedback would be very helpful!
What does a "very highly ranked MSF" even mean? Do not get caught up in this trap, MNRG or whatever the hell that is included....
You will find yourself having to explain to everyone what this degree program is about (its total bullshit 30 credit hr master's ; a lot of people on here have it right) and there is a very good chance you will end up with a nice student loan and shitty job prospects. Tulane's real MBA is not even worthwhile. Some of my buddies who went there ended up with same jobs as undergrads. Yes one kid who's dad was at Goldman may make it into somewhere but for the most part its busted. Do yourself a big favor and only seek the top 25 MBA schools if you have real experience (honestly you should only seek the top 10 if you do not have good experience.)
To the guy who tried to slip Sequent (dont know or care how to spell it) in with real investment banks, stop kidding yourself dude. But I will agree with you on one thing, with these bogus cash cow degrees, if you are lucky, you will land you some job at a firm like that for 55k a year.
Get a real MBA or do not waste your time. MSF/MNRG are what we like to call fake master's degrees.
lol @ this guy, top MSF's (Vandy, MIT, Princeton, WUSTL) get hired as analysts/trader/quants w.o work experience. With work experience they sometimes take the associate role. While I wouldn't advise anyone w. 4+ yrs work experience to get an MSF (get an MBA), it isn't a bad route for non-targets (like I) without work experience who have strong grades that want a target name in order to break into banking/trading/consulting (although for consulting an MMS from Duke or MCommerce from UVA would do u better if u have no work experience and want consulting).
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