MBA? - Current and future analysts planning on one?

Any of you current and future analysts planning to do an MBA? I know the general route is to go the PE / HF way....but I feel that doing an MBA will really open my mind to a lot of new opportunities ( not to mention build a huge network), and add a lot of prestige to the resume (assuming most IB ers get into top Business schools)

But then, if you think of how much pay you are missing out (ex with a direct associate promote), an MBA seems like a no-no...but I feel this is short sighted thinking...even if you come back to banking, an MBA will get you farther in the long run...

I'd like to hear agreements, disagreements, comments, moral outrage etc. from all current and future analysts.

11 Comments
 

An MBA is great if you want to use your i-banking experience to make the leap into something else, be it a buyside job, something international or something in another industry entirely. If all you want to do is continue up the same ladder you're already on, I don't see the value (except as stated above maybe just for the time off).

 
Best Response

Giving up 2 years of PE/HF lost earnings in addition to paying through the nose for MBA tuition & living is simply too big an opportunity cost for many (upwards of $500K? OC and outlays). While the market for PE/HF is hot, I say that is the way to go. Remember 1995-2000 tech bubble - former i-bankers made some real money going to tech startups or VCs. You're a free agent, roll with the punches, and you can always go back to MBA after PE/HF or when the money doesn't flow as freely.

 

I know this is right, but I just want to totally reassure myself: There is no reason whatsoever to get an MBA straight after college correct? Employers from all industries like to see at least 2 years experience before the MBA, right?

 
tunemanI know this is right, but I just want to totally reassure myself: There is no reason whatsoever to get an MBA straight after college correct? Employers from all industries like to see at least 2 years experience before the MBA, right?

Why the fuck would you want to do that? Find me one good reason.

 
zala rules
tunemanI know this is right, but I just want to totally reassure myself: There is no reason whatsoever to get an MBA straight after college correct? Employers from all industries like to see at least 2 years experience before the MBA, right?

Why the fuck would you want to do that? Find me one good reason.

HBS and Stanford have let in a handful of college seniors year afte year- Wharton has a program for some of their existing UGs as well. Many of these students are getting hired without a problem at a lot of the usual suspects for top MBA grads (bain, etc)

 

It depends on how you do it, if you are thinking of doing the 4 undergrad years plus 2 grad years i would say don't even think about it, too much wasted time and not enough benefit. However if you can do a combined program where you can be done with both degrees in 5 years (or 4 if you are really ambisious) then its a whole different story. You will have a dificult time getting an associate stop (but possible) however you will only spend 1-2 years as an analyst and then go straight to associate without having to take time then to go to bschool.

 

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