Does NYU MBA place entry-level analysts?

Short back story: I’m from a small town and a small state. I went to a small, non-target state university and majored and earned bachelor’s in both Finance and Economics. I worked full-time in retail management throughout school while maintaining a 3.6 GPA. At school I was part of both the Finance and Economics honor societies and founded a finance club, which ultimately grew to over forty members. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize the value of undergrad internships and did not participate in any because of time constraints with work and school.

Upon graduating I moved to Charlotte, NC, which was the biggest city with a focus on banking within 400 miles. I spent nearly four months networking and applying to nearly every finance-related job I could and had no success. I had burnt through my emergency funds and had to take a job at an advisory firm (over $1trillion AUM, Series 7, 66, not a life insurance firm disguised as a financial advisor firm). I worked there for about 9 months until a large, $1.5 million account I had gotten committed fell through and I missed a quarterly production goal and was fired.

I then moved on to an insurance firm headquartered in the area this August and was an Internal Wholesaler. I liked this position because it was a true 9-5 and allowed me to search for and hopefully attend an MBA program in the evening. Unfortunately, I was fired from the firm for an email I sent to an advisor that implied I was working with his boss to meet him despite not actually working with the boss, and the boss escalated the case and requested that I be fired. The wording was indeed my fault and unintentional, but I personally feel a write up and warning was more warranted than a firing for an honest mistake, but I digress.

Now, I am 24 years old and have been fired from my first two jobs post-graduation. I have been unable to save money up as I bought a home near my most recent job believing that I would fare better than renting and be in the area for at least 5-6 years. Now, I am practically being instantly denied for any applications to reputable firms because of my record and non-target school status.

I’m considering selling the home and taking the proceeds to have an emergency fund, moving to NYC, and enrolling in NYU (pending acceptance into their MBA program) while working my way through.

I would be 26-27 upon completion of the program and obviously have less than stellar record to show to that point. Unfortunately, I just didn’t go the traditional route because I had to find a way to fund school. Would it be reasonable to expect to get an entry-level analyst job at a somewhat decent firm with a NYU MBA and good GPA, and some networking? I know there are many more options in the city than Charlotte. I’m hungry and willing to work for any way to get a chance to prove my worth despite a few bad breaks in the beginning. I’m just hoping to gain some insight into if it’s reasonble to still become an analyst on any side of the industry with any firm at 26-27?

3 Comments
 
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@Am2233 - I suspect you will not be a competitive applicant for any top 20 MBA program given your work history. You might take a different track and look at MS in Finance programs that could land you in a finance role. After a few years you could then get an MBA part-time or go full-time.

Another option would be to get started on a CFA which will provide credibility for certain finance roles.

Hope you have better luck moving forward.

Susan Cera Director of MBA Admissions Stratus Admissions Counseling - www.stratusadmissions.com FREE Profile Evaluation - www.stratusadmissions.com/consult
 

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Susan Cera Director of MBA Admissions Stratus Admissions Counseling - www.stratusadmissions.com FREE Profile Evaluation - www.stratusadmissions.com/consult

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