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.

 

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