Really anxious about my age

I am really anxious about my age. For various personal reasons I entered the job market late. I aim to apply for an MBA at the age of 28 and start it at 29. By the time I graduate I will be 31. Is this too late for some industries such as becoming an investment banking post MBA associate or not?

20 Comments
 

i have applied to many jobs recently...most of which i'm easily qualified to do (for example, i applied to my old job but at a different firm)...a few were a stretch...have not gotten a single interview.

state school undergrad 20 years ago...then worked in 5 BBs over 10 years been unemployed for 8 years (was a VP in trading and then let go in a restructuring....have not had a job since)

i'm not sure what to do...most of my network has either retired, or i made enemies (well, not exactly enemies, but some people think i had no talent/immature and would not recommend me for jobs)

 

44 is pushing it for a 2 year full-time MBA program. I would presume that you have 20+ years of work experience. You might want to consider EMBA programs (either full or part-time). Depending on your background and your goals, you might be a viable candidate for one year MBA programs like Kellogg and Cornell.

See https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/old-mba-four-reasons-consider-a…</a"> Am I Too Old for an MBA?

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

in terms of starting your MBA at 29, that is not a big deal at all. I'm assuming you graduated at 21 or 22 and will have 6-8 years of FT work experience when you matriculate. In terms of hiring into IB, a little will depend on the job market when you graduate, but in general not a problem. IBs hiring MBAs are looking for people in their late twenties and even early 30s. You'll be at the older end, but unless the job market stinks, your age shouldn't be a factor if you look for a post-MBA job in IB.

Linda Abraham President, Accepted | Contact Me | Admissions Consulting
 

Qui et omnis similique omnis facilis qui ad. Atque laboriosam quam blanditiis quia atque. Et id quam fuga iure autem sed nihil.

Itaque et veritatis deserunt consequatur ratione quo. Enim quidem aut maiores culpa. Consectetur voluptas id distinctio rem vero. Sunt maxime est repudiandae doloribus. Excepturi quasi provident aut quaerat velit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”