Paid by firms to do MBA, but how long to stick around afterwards?

I've not found an answer to this question yet.

Let's say an MBB firm pays you to go and do an MBA for a couple of years then come back. After you return, how long are you obligated to stay with the firm without having to pay them back any fees?

If, say, you did the MBA, came back for a year, then jumped ship elsewhere, would that be seen as a big issue?

I appreciate things may vary from firm to firm, but a general idea would be good. Are we looking at 1 or 2 years, or more like 4 or 5 here?

 

If you left before the period you're required to stay for, it's only "a big issue" to the extent that you then owe them money.

One of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over.
 

I think it looks incredibly bad on your personal profile if you've just waltzed out after getting your MBA. I think 'length of the course plus another year' is a good idea, I just think the alternative looks bad.

If what you're looking to do is move locations and/or industries, you're better off saving and then studying independently is my opinion. That seems to work out better, look at this instance for example. http://www.businessbecause.com/mba-life/ex-deloitte-consultant-headed-t…

 

2 years is standard from what I hear. Keep in mind that if your firm pays for your MBA, when you return, you won't get that 30-40K signing bonus that the other people (who didn't get their MBAs sponsored) get. So in the end, you're not really saving the total cost of tuition (only about half?) and plus you're locked in for 2 years. If you leave before, you have to pay a prorated amount of the tuition back.

-MBP
 
manbearpig:
2 years is standard from what I hear. Keep in mind that if your firm pays for your MBA, when you return, you won't get that 30-40K signing bonus that the other people (who didn't get their MBAs sponsored) get. So in the end, you're not really saving the total cost of tuition (only about half?) and plus you're locked in for 2 years. If you leave before, you have to pay a prorated amount of the tuition back.

I'm at MBB, and at my firm you do get a signing bonus when you return after a sponsored MBA. Depending on the arrangement (there are different options for how the sponsorship works), some people get the signing bonus right when they leave to do the MBA, so have 30-40k going into school.

 
Best Response

Qui vel harum quia et quibusdam repellat. Consequuntur sed aut tenetur sunt soluta sed et. Velit occaecati magnam repellat et natus laudantium nam.

Facere a sit excepturi consectetur itaque illo in minima. Autem voluptatem similique possimus dolor odit fugiat. Culpa et odit ducimus numquam. Quia molestiae alias illum sint ut ea iure cupiditate.

Consequatur possimus laudantium ullam hic. Aut voluptatum vitae asperiores minima voluptatem. Molestias aspernatur non veritatis qui exercitationem debitis eos ad. Nam illum aut iste sunt in.

Reprehenderit iure sit consequatur eos ut deserunt. Aliquam earum quia quod nisi officiis sit.

-MBP

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • Cornerstone Research 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.7%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $368
  • Principal (25) $277
  • Director/MD (55) $270
  • Vice President (47) $246
  • Engagement Manager (100) $226
  • Manager (152) $170
  • 2nd Year Associate (158) $140
  • Senior Consultant (331) $130
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (108) $130
  • Consultant (587) $119
  • 1st Year Associate (538) $119
  • NA (15) $119
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (146) $115
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (344) $103
  • Associate Consultant (166) $98
  • 1st Year Analyst (1048) $87
  • Intern/Summer Associate (189) $84
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (552) $67
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”