Why do MBA Associates get a bad wrap coming into IB?
By way of background, I had experience working in Fintech and subsequently DCM prior to getting into my MBA program (top 10). I chose to get an MBA for a variety of reason but I’d say the biggest reasons were 1) round out my financial acumen (something that, candidly, wasn’t really happening within IG DCM), 2) broaden my network, 3) explore alternative career paths.
I’m thinking of going back into IB but I see the universal distain for MBA associates. There is a preconceived notion that they are all arrogant, self-indulgent individuals without a clue in the world. Personally, going into it I know that there will be analysts and other associates who just know the job and can do it incredibly well. I’ll have a steep learning curve.
My hope is to learn quickly, be someone who can help move the needle as a team (not just dump work on someone “junior”), and to work hard to earn the trust of my team.
So my questions are:
1) Why is there a universal dislike of MBA associates?
2) What tips/advice would you provide to an MBA associate to ensure that they can be useful and not deadweight?
Also curious on the second question
Bump
Mainly frustrating as a second year analyst who’s been through the gutter have to listen to someone who’s still learning the ropes. Lot of the time they can seem incompetent when in reality they just need more time on the job to adjust. Coupled w the fact that the analyst is moving to PE soon anyway, they definitely don’t want any of the same staffings as the summer associate
Because they make mistakes like not knowing the difference between wrap and rap.
To answer straightforwardly as someone who interned in an office with a lot of MBA associates, I think the main thing is a lot of MBA associates will just delegate and go home, even if their analysts are getting absolutely crushed. I was told that a good associate (regardless of MBA or not) is willing to jump in when needed, whether that means splitting pages or jumping into the model themself. Being on a steep learning curve is fine so long as you aren’t just bossing your analysts around and leaving ASAP
Thank you for the insight here! Yeah, as an individual I don’t think I’m wired to dump my work on someone else’s plate: I feel a sense of responsibility to contribute and to ensure that I don’t compound anyone else’s work load/ stress. So I think I’ll be okay there.
what are your thoughts on associates asking questions/trying to learn from analysts with regards to modeling, valuation questions, etc? Is that frowned upon?
I would learn towards asking other MBA associates (2nd or 3rd year) for help instead of analysts. Generally (and I hope this causes no offense), I would probably follow the lead of the A2As. While you might have the initiative to try and contribute, the whole reason why there’s this sentiment is because it is true that a lot of MBA associates fit the stereotype. So I would say follow the A2As and a couple MBA associates that analysts enjoy working with
WSO high school students, college kids and analysts hate MBA associates, not actual real world people do.
If that was true, banks would shut down these programs.
I would be jealous too, if I had to grind to break in as an IB analyst and get worked for 2 or 3 years, while someone else could go to a top school and slot right in as an associate and skip the difficult analyst years.
It would be like that time Brett farve got to skip training camp to start a season with the Jets.
Jealousy is part of life and now that you went to an Ivy grad school, expect some envy from people.
Thanks for the great insight like always! Love hearing from someone whose parents payed for his MBA and rent.
At least I answered his question instead of doing mud at someone I don’t even know.
Living rent free in another thin skinned poor white kids head lol.
Sorry your folks were losers.
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Bad “wrap”? Seems like you’re already making the type of mistakes MBA ASOs do so you’ll fit right in
If you don't know the difference between "rap" and "wrap", then your time in the industry will be very short. Guaranteed. This is coming from an intern as well.
Exactly - a bad “wrap” happens at Chipotle.
They can't wrap.
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