MSF - Worth it immediately after undergrad?
Hey all. I've been reading WSO threads for awhile now, but this is my first time posting. I originally posted this as a different question, but decided to change it and ask something slightly different and more relevant.
I'm finishing my undergrad work in December 2016. Haven't taken the GMAT yet (scheduled for next month). I have a 3.9 GPA, my degree is a B.S. in Finance, I have an OK internship (very local) at a financial services firm, and I'm an intelligence analyst for a major military command. I don't have a burning desire to go to graduate school right afterwards, but I may apply to a few schools and just see where I get accepted/how much aid I get. If I got into a decent school and it was worth it financially, I think it would help my job prospects given that I went to a large but non-target school for undergrad (~12k students, AACSB accredited).
I don't have a ton of quantitative experience, and like I said, my undergrad work is from a non-target school. So, my thought is this: do the MSF if it wouldn't entail a lot of debt, gain some more knowledge in the quantitative side of things, and build up my resume for jobs in the process.
It seems like the consensus on the board is that it is not worth it to do a grad program immediately after, but my undergrad background is not from a top tier school like many people on this board. I feel like if I just apply with my undergrad degree, I could be at a disadvantage. What do you guys think?
Are you enlisted in the military or a civilian? If you're military, join some networking groups and leverage those connections. Have a friend who went to a Global Boutique IB from a non-target based off networking from being in the military. That being said if you can get into a top 5 MSF, that's certainly not going to hurt your chances.
I'm enlisted. I do try to make the connection with military/former military when applicable
Yea I agree with you there (as far as learning on my own is concerned). I just wonder if my resume needs some kind of tangible validation beyond an undergrad degree from a non-target school
One thing I can tell you after going through grad school (partially) is that school is what you make of it. In this day and age there is very little if anything you can't learn through other resources. Grad school gives you credentials but the knowledge itself, which I personally believe matters more in most cases is whats important. You've gotta make the determination for your situation, goals, skill level, etc.
Question. Seems like you did your UG after being enlisted. I ask because I want to know how much experience you have as an intelligence analyst.
IMO, I would just try and get into Booz or something else defense focused. Aim for an MBA after some post military experience. Depending on your location you could do a PT MSF or something similar while gaining work experience. This would give you a better brand while not causing you to miss earnings or waste time. Intelligence experience and clearance is a great thing.
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