Traditional Route After Business School

Hi guys,

I'm looking to gain some insight into the American career paths. In the UK, I believe a typical path is undergrad -> work experience -> MBA -> back to work but as an associate.

However, in the US I believe you can get into top business schools for an MBA without work experience? So, say if you did your undergrad degree, then an MBA without experience, would you then be applying for analyst roles or associate roles? Does the MBA allow you to bypass the analyst years?

Thank you for your time.

5 Comments
 

Most top US MBA programs will not take you if you don't have any work experience. Even if you do get into a MBA program, I think you wouldn't be a competitive candidate for an associate role compared to your classmates who are also going for the same position.

 

So do most people in the US do undergrad -> work -> MBA -> move up position/go into a different role?

Is the MBA primarily used in the US by people who wish to transition into a different career? Or can it have career advancement features too? i.e. If you have a good undergrad and are doing a job in a field you are happy with, is there a reason why you would do the MBA?

 

Thank you for responses so far.

Associate roles are understandable when transitioning, i.e. you've had some work experience. However, say you've only done an internship, can doing an MBA skip you past the analyst roles and place you as an associate? Assuming you've had no post-grad experience.

 

Culpa consequatur odio perspiciatis sequi et ipsa quia. Et ratione amet facere earum voluptas omnis. Vitae veritatis nihil provident excepturi. Voluptatem sit est aut aut. Voluptates non soluta quidem rerum quibusdam aut aliquid. Eius facere aspernatur vitae est expedita iusto. Dolor aut at occaecati quo officia repellat.

Eaque modi et sunt veniam consequatur necessitatibus expedita. Delectus nesciunt ipsa dolores provident magni sit soluta minima. Sit rerum rerum maiores qui rem. Itaque rerum voluptatem impedit voluptatem. Quam consequatur sit qui.

Porro voluptatem ut pariatur sint reiciendis et qui. Velit sit eum mollitia. Consequatur vel qui veniam quo et ea ea. Possimus officiis laboriosam vero et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”