MBA necessary for IBD associate in US, with prior BB experiences in Asia?

Hello monkeys,

So I have prior BB IBD experiences in APAC offices, and looking to transfer to IBD in US. Given internal transfer has been extremely difficult for my firm and I personally do not want to spend entire two years at MBA, I am wondering if it is possible to break into IBD associate program with non-MBA master (like those top tier 12-18 months master programs)? 

Any opinions or ideas would be appreciated!!

4 Comments
 

Thank you! May I ask your takeaway from the IB recruiting process and how you managed to differentiate yourself from MBA candidates? (not sure if a masters would be regarded disadvantaged compared to MBAs when it comes to recruiting...)

 
Most Helpful

Most employers have an MBA intake, and a non-MBA intake. That would be the biggest difference. I don't believe that a Master's is "bad" but it would depend on the individual role or department/bank whether a specialized degree is relevant to what they are doing.

My takeaway was:
- the biggest group of applicants I have met were either UG grads or MBA folks. I was almost the only guy /w a Master's, which made me stand out (in that year)
- MBA grads have different opportunities within the firm I was applying for
- Like MBA grads, I was older than the rest. Would say same age as MBA grads as I worked in between degrees

Would I do all of this again, I would probably work longer and do an MBA later. Not for that particular role, but for the overall acceptance of the MBA.

 

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