Post MBA Associate (BB AN/AS1>MBA>IB Associate) Path
Hey guys, Ik this topic may have been discussed several times but I wanted WSO community's opinion on whether a value of a top 3 MBA in the US changed post-COVID.
Background:
2-3 yrs of experience as AN/AS1 at a BB foreign office (i.e. Canada/London).
Reason for attending a top 3 MBA: Move to the US + get a degree other than just an undergrad degree (i.e. prestige lol) & grow my network + lifetime banker
Option 1:
Am I able to join as an As2/As3 post MBA in NYC (with my current employer/a new employer) or do I have to join as a first year associate? It'd not make a lot of sense to do that given that I would lose 2 years of income at biz school. Assume a top bucket analyst with good equity, m&a and debt experience.
Option 2:
What are my chances to recruit for a post MBA PE associate role at a mega fund? I understand that Harvard MBA sends the most candidates to PE but I assume that most of them are pre-MBA PE associate that would like to return to their employer. Any examples of BB > post MBA PE? Has this trend changed during COVID? I assume PE firms need more talent than before.
Lastly, if I decided to join his current employer post MBA in NYC, is there any BB that sponsor MBA tuition?
Thanks guys!
No on Option 1 - you’ll start as associate 0 as everyone else who just got out of bschool.
On Option 2 - I’ll let someone else who has done this route chime in, but it will be difficult for anyone who does not have pre-MBA associate experience.
If you’re currently at a BB, why not recruit for buy-side first, do two years, then go the MBA route? Or if you wanna stay in banking long-term, why not just lateral? The US recruiting market is red hot right now.
Thanks for answering. Lateraling to a good buy side fund is slightly difficult in foreign countries. There are limited positions. I could certainly transfer internally to US offices but I'd like to complete an MBA to take 2 yr break from the industry and grow my network in the US. I thought they would consider your 1/2 years of associate experience and hire you as AS1/2. Would that still be the case if I decided to join my previous employer? Do you think they hire experienced candidates as As0 and fast track them to VP positions? It's kinda silly for an experienced associate at a BB to join as As0 post MBA.
If you’re going to come back to your current firm post-MBA and want a level boost (start as AS 1 or 2 instead of 0), you probably have to discuss with the seniors. Absolutely understand that you already have banking experience and have been promoted to associate, but banking is just super structured so you might not have that much flexibility.
I know that a two-year networking/vacation sounds super appealing, but the tuition + opportunity cost will be hefty (it’d cost you ~$1mm total). If NYC is the end goal, can’t you leverage your MBA offer and get an internal transfer?
Know someone who worked in a group for 3 years as an AN, did a year of AS, got a H/S MBA, returned to the group as an Associate and got promoted to IB VP in 6 months.
Can you provide more details? Which firm/city? Did he do it with the same employer? Assume he/she is a top performer?
City: SF/HOU/CHI
Group: top coverage group
Same employer, and yeah top performer.
Don't fall into the "Top 3 MBA or bust" trap. Most Top 20/25 schools will give you similar ops. Also, trying to talk about opportunity cost is short-run undergrad nonsense. Either you want the MBA to help you get to where you want to be, or you don't. Assuming you do, you will more than make up whatever op cost value you calculate.
I couldn’t agree more with the Op cost. I think over the long term of my career, it gives me more opportunities.
I went to a target in the US and I have some good deal experience at a BB. For me it doesn’t make sense to get an MBA unless it’s at a top 3 school (more for prestige/reputation than anything else). Also, you don’t get great opps in MF Post MBA PE recruitment unless you really go to HBS
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