Just read an article about how MBA grads are crushing it in job market.
https://nypost.com/2018/07/23/top-mba-graduates-a…
My question is as stated above:
If you strikeout in recruiting as undergrad, can an MBA totally change your fortunes? Or will the stink/stigma of your putrid undergrad recruiting experience follow you around?
| +62 | Uchicago is paradise | 11 | 34m |
| +27 | Without a tribe | 8 | 4d |
| +27 | How the Hell Do People Actually Get Into Private Golf Clubs? | 26 | 19h |
| +23 | Why is AI wrong? | 7 | 1d |
| +17 | Why do Asians fake their names? | 35 | 7h |
| +13 | Definitive Updated Wharton Club Rank 2026 | 4 | 5d |
| +13 | POLL: Optimistic or Pessimistic? | 9 | 17h |
| +6 | Giving AI Impossible Tasks | 8 | 2d |
| +3 | Unhinged euphemisms | 3 | 3d |
| +2 | Who is making these posts on WSO Linkedin ? | 4 | 1d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Good question. I'm not entirely sure, however I'd assume that if you had a poor undergrad experience maybe you wouldn't be able to get into a top tier MBA that could change your career path?
Also, might be held against you if you go straight from college to B-school w/out work experience.
Hmm... So it's not that hard to get into MBA straight from undergrad... but if you do so, future employers will look down on that?
It is hard to go into a decent MBA straight from undergrad. Programs that take candidates with 0 work experience aren't usually top 50, and the graduates are then competing with undergrads for entry level positions. Straight to MBA should be a last resort.
Doing your MBA without work experience is basically career suicide if you want to do IB or consulting. No decent MBA program will take someone without work experience, and no bank or consulting firm will take someone without work experience if they have an MBA.
Save the MBA for 4-5 years after graduating, but if you really want to give recruiting another shot, do an MSF program or something similar.
See, this is why WSO kicks ass -- never would have known this, or considered that MSF is option if one needs to rehab their rep... thanks!
What's the rationale that quality MBA programs only accept people with work experience?
It’s not to say one shouldn’t go get an MBA at a school that’s not Ivy League or top 10, I know people who do that and end up in solid management roles in a F500, or sales roles etc but it’s a bold decision because in an industry like investment banking MBAs qualify for associate roles not analyst roles, however an MBA program right out of college would negate you from being able to apply for entry level jobs due to being over qualified, but then because you never accumulated work experience, you’re not totally qualified to work as a promotion level position. Also the fact an industry like IB recruits at high pedigree campuses for associate roles. Are you going after an MBA at xyz state with 0 actual professional experience or MBA at a top B School that required professional experience to begin with.
If you're asking what TrTrTr's rationale is, its because its the truth. 2 years experience is considered the minimum.
If you're wondering what the MBA program's rationales are, my guess is this:
Their rankings improve as they place students in high profile jobs (banking, pe/vc, strategy consulting, F500 corp dev/strategy, etc)
Those jobs usually hire at the "associate" level, which is client or exec facing and usually has a team under them. Those top tier jobs want to know you aren't just good at school, and so unless you are at an MBB or BB its usually a 3 or 4 year process to prove your potential in the workforce.
Getting your MBA straight out is bad for a few reasons. First off, it makes you over qualified for entry level positions and entry level pay, but also you are completely unqualified to manage people for lack of experience.
Sit iure eum eveniet. Repellat quam rem ad ea soluta voluptas. Non ipsum illo qui quaerat. Cum omnis officiis repellendus quod. Sapiente enim ut sunt porro earum corrupti.
Iusto blanditiis laborum similique minus. Architecto qui quisquam velit est sapiente. Debitis quia ducimus aspernatur sit.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...