Prior Enlisted Marine Currently in undergrad trying to figure out if MBA is possible or if top MSF is better for me.
Hey guys,
As the title suggests, I am a Marine veteran who served in the infantry as a fire direction center chief. I was in a quantitative role and was the tasked with calculating mortar firing data in support of my Battalion‘s (800+ Marines) operations, while also managing a team of five Marines.
I made the mistake of going to a non-target and I am currently an accounting major. I really enjoy my finance classes; I detest my accounting coursework. I am interested in IB, but more so in equity research. I also know coming from a non target, I have slim chances of breaking into this industry out of undergrad. I am starting my junior year and I have a 3.8 GPA with minors in finance and writing.
My main question is this: what would be more beneficial to break into Equity research, an MBA from an M7/T15, or a top MSF? If MBA is the answer, would I even be eligible given that I don’t have any post graduate experience?
I am trying to plan my next steps if I am unable to secure a summer internship, and any advice will be greatly appreciated. I know that there are a lot of posts surrounding my situation, but I saw nothing pertaining to my exact situation and interests.
Hey man, first and foremost, thank you for your service. Secondly, I majored in accounting from a non-target, and explored both IB and ER.
Of the options you listed, you should try you best to get into an M7. I cant speak to ER specifically, but generally for IB, Consulting, and other good career paths, an M7 will give you the best looks. If you don't get into an M7 up front, my advice would be to try and take the best job in finance you can get, get a few years experience, and reapply.
I am too far removed from undergrad recruiting to understand timelines, but I would also try and secure any relevant internship, while trying to recruit for FT. Other users can hopefully shed some light on the feasibility of recruiting this late in the game.
Hoping others with a more military focused background can provide better guidance, but wanted to at least share a perspective.
Thank you so much for the advice and solace regarding staying an accounting major. I am doing my best to apply, but I have not networked as I should. I fell into the mindset that another commenter mentioned: enlisted vets refuse to put themselves out there and network. I am seeing now that this is my next step. I am in a weird situation academically. I changed majors four times, so I will graduate in 2 years. I am still in the running for summer 2027 internships, as I have applied to 40+. If that door closes, my next steps are applying to whatever finance roles come around as the years progress and studying for the GMAT/GRE. Thank you for the advice! If you don't mind my asking, what was your path from non-target to IB? Also, funny user name, haha.
Just sent you a DM with some advice.
Just sent you one back thank you!
I pinged you check your messages. Did 6 years enlisted infantry with 2 combat deployments. Then went to a target then did IB for 2 years. I went to a M7 MBA program post IB and now work in MM PE so can give you some perspective on both routes.
Biggest advice is network and get used to being uncomfortable and putting yourself out there. The biggest issue I see with vets especially prior enlisted guys who are somewhat new off AD and in school is they will not network or put themselves out there.
This is good advice. You will need to network and give your sales pitch.
I have become a victim of that veteran mindset, and I am now seeing why it is such a problem. Thank you for pointing that out to me
BLUF: shoot for M7/T15 straight out of undergrad. ER will be unlikely, no matter what. That said, CBS' value investing program and HSW will give you the best odds at landing a seat.
For vets, IB should be relatively easy out of any T15. Check out the "Enlisted Exfil" discord, tons of people there who have thought through similar situations.
I have checked out Enlisted Exfil, but it is merely surface-level. I will do more research on it. Thank you for the sound advice. If I am unable to secure any internships, my time will be spent networking and studying for the GRE/GMAT
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