Is it just me or do you guys also see bunch of people taking 6~7 years to graduate college (including Masters)?
Is it just me or do you see many people graduating the "college life" in 6~7 years? I think in this day and age, doing a Masters program is basically doing an extra 1~2 more years of extended Bachelors program to simply delay unemployment. From what I have seen, I don't think people necessarily land better jobs because they went to do their Masters anymore because recruiters see Bachelors and Masters as the same thing (of course I am not talking about going to Law School or going to get the MBA).
But what I have seen is people who 'strategically' extend their "college life" purely to gain more internship experience definitely does better than people that just graduate early (say, in 4 years).
Like when I look at the LinkedIn of people who landed MBB or BB offers, they almost (95% of the time) never graduated in 4 years. Do you guys see this trend as well?
Based on the most helpful WSO content, your observation aligns with a noticeable trend in the finance and consulting industries. Many individuals strategically extend their academic timeline, whether through Master's programs or delayed graduation, to gain additional internship experience and improve their profiles for competitive roles like MBB or BB. Here's a breakdown of the key points:
Strategic Delays for Internships:
Extending graduation to secure more internships is a common and effective strategy. As highlighted in WSO threads, candidates with multiple relevant internships often have a significant edge over those who graduate early without comparable experience. Employers value real-world experience and the ability to "hit the ground running."
Masters as an Extension of Undergrad:
Pursuing a Master's degree is often seen as an extension of the undergraduate experience, especially for those without prior work experience. While it may not always guarantee better job prospects, it can provide additional time to build a stronger resume through internships and networking.
Recruiter Perception:
There is some truth to the idea that recruiters may not always differentiate significantly between Bachelor's and Master's degrees, particularly in fields like finance, unless the Master's program is highly specialized or from a top-tier institution. However, the added internships and networking opportunities during a Master's program can make a candidate more competitive.
Graduating Early vs. Delaying:
Graduating early might save time, but it can limit opportunities to gain the experience and connections needed for top roles. As noted in WSO discussions, staying in school longer to maximize internships and networking often yields better outcomes in competitive industries.
In summary, the trend you’ve noticed is real, and strategically extending "college life" to gain more experience and build a stronger profile is a proven approach for landing top-tier offers.
Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/real-estate/my-8-month-real-estate-finance-internship-journey-some-general-thoughts-on-nyus?customgpt=1, Graduating early - worth it or not?, Q&A: Broke into MM M&A from a non-traditional background and 2 years of networking and internships, International Student - Chance of getting an IBD internship in London?, 5 Steps To Becoming A Rockstar Freshman (Undergrad Advice)
imo job market environment plays a huge role early on in your career independent of master/MBA or whatsoever
yeah I think the job market is really cooked rn
I wouldn't say it's super common but it certainly isn't out of the ordinary. Honestly, fair enough as long as you have a clearly defined trajectory. Grad programs aren't the same as undergrad experience, but if you're doing it right after your undergrad at the same school, it basically is just prolonging undergrad and delaying w*rking. I've seen cases where people wanted more work experience, but I also know some people at some of the more "fun" schools that are doing it simply because they want to have more fun.
Doing Masters to have more fun is insane work.... but yeah due to the job market I think many are definitely doing more Masters than before
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