Business School vs. Career with B.S. in Finance
Hello Everyone,
This is my first post and I have a few questions. I have read posts and researched schools now for two weeks because I did not know I would be able to graduate Spring 2012 until recently. Long story short, I thought I needed an extensive background in mathematics to land a finance position (if you think I should let me know why). I decided to finish my degree in Finance, specialization in Investments, and a possible Accounting minor.
I would prefer to go straight through school, but I have read posts that alter between it may not be the best idea to go to b-school without professional experience and if you don't have experience make everything excellent (GPA, GMAT, etc..). I will have a 3.86 GPA when I graduate. I have not taken the GMAT yet, but would figure I need about a 680 to get into a top 30 school and receive funding. I am attending Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. I have participated in the Financial Management Association, Business Leadership Counsel, Student Saluki Investment Fund, and co-founded my own organization, the Economics and Finance Association. I will be attending Rise X in April. I am also currently looking for some part-time finance related experience. Since I live in a fairly rural area, there aren't many opportunities. The best I could do is a teller position or assist a local Edward Jones, Wells Fargo, etc... If I do decide to go the b-school route, it would have to be paid for.
To be honest, I am not exactly sure what area of finance I would like to get into. I know I do not want to work in a sales/adviser position. I am interested in commodities, but that really does not narrow the field because many of the entry level positions besides sales appear to be interesting. If I go for the career first, I thought about not taking summer classes (which will postpone my graduation date to Fall 2012) in order to apply for internships for two summers.
My questions:
1.) Given my background and current situation, would b-school or a career first provide a better long-term career path?
2.) Should I go for both options and just see what opportunities are available?
3.) What are some possible strategies when trying to do both?
4.) Should I postpone graduation by one semester for two internship possibilities?
5.) Should I postpone graduation to be able to try to accomplish both b-school opportunities and a career?
Thanks for any help and/or advice, Shannon Daily
Business school as in an MBA? Or are you thinking about an MSF, MAcc, or something else?
Forget the MBA at this point, you'd be better off with the MSF. Check out msfhq.com and if you're interested in commodities look into Tulane.
Also, start networking with alumni ASAP. St Louis should be your target...
I would recommend against going to bschool straight away. Look into the MSF as suggested and forget about the MBA.
I have looked into MSF's and MBA's. Both programs seem to want professional experience.
Talk to ANT. I'm under a different impression...
False. Unless you're looking at Princeton or other top rated MFE programs, most MSFs are geared towards those fresh out of undergrad and perhaps those who have 1 or 2 years of work experience max. Anything beyond that, you should start positioning yourself for the MBA.
Dude you can't get into a half-way decent business school with no work experience. Used to be possible, but ain't so no mo'. I'm re-reading this post, and it makes no sense to me.
For MBAs, not MSFs, right?
Yeah, look at MSFHQ.com and check out the MSF programs. The MSF programs generally don't require work experience. Look into Tulane if you like energy. Look into Nova if you want to be near Philly and NY.
I think kimbo is spot on.
MSF or MFE will be a great next step IF u want more schooling....the mba will be a waste at this point. just make sure they are programs in larger cities....hit the major hubs in the east coast (tons of good programs here), west coast (ucla ucb really good programs), south tulane MSF and texas A&M in houston, chicago and the general surroundings has several really great programs even iu has something u can do remote...but id say look there and also try to network and "cold call/email" around asking to learn more about firms and organizations while studying ur gmat
ur grades seem fine but the non target will be ur biggest challenging in breaking in. it wont be impossible for sure, but it will take networking.
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