Best pre-MBA experience?

Hello everyone, I'm new to this so if there are any posting guidelines I'm missing, I apologize.

I just graduated with a Bachelor's in Business Admin. from a very finance focused uni, not super known worldwide but very prestigious in my home country. I am planning what I want to do with my professional life in my 20s as I am 22. 

I do not know what I want to do specifically so my plan as for now is to work for two years in PE and two other years in something that involves management/strategy so it could be business development, working at a start up, operations, etc. I would also be interested in something related with social impact or do something on the side in a creative industry as an entrepreneurial experience. Maybe even going to volunteer for a year.

After those 4-5 years I want to go to a top business school to get an MBA

I guess my question is if that plan would be smart to do. I know it's better to specialize soon but I truly have no clue what I want to do. The whole point is to get valuable business experience that I could use in the future for any business ventures of my own.

Thank you very much

2 Comments
 

Hello there! Your plan sounds like a well-rounded approach to gaining diverse experience before pursuing an MBA. Here are a few insights based on the most helpful WSO content:

  1. Working in Private Equity (PE) for two years would give you a solid foundation in finance and investment, which is valuable for any business venture.

  2. Spending two years in a management/strategy role, such as business development or operations, would provide you with practical experience in running a business. This could be particularly useful if you're considering starting your own venture in the future.

  3. Engaging in social impact work or creative industry projects can demonstrate your versatility and commitment to making a difference. This could also make your MBA application stand out.

  4. Volunteering for a year can be a rewarding experience and provide a unique perspective. However, consider how this fits into your overall career goals and whether it aligns with the expectations of the MBA programs you're interested in.

  5. Pursuing an MBA after gaining 4-5 years of diverse experience can be a great move. It can help you consolidate your learnings, expand your network, and open up new opportunities.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to career planning. It's important to stay flexible and open to new opportunities as they arise. Good luck with your journey!

Sources: MBA – Invaluable experience or incredibly overrated?, Q&A: My journey, from the lab to MMPE, Keen for views on MBAs, What I've learned so far after 1 yr at a top MBA program (If I could do it over):

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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