Work experience after undergrad for top 20

Hello all,

I am a rising junior at a non-target (Arizona State) studying Finance. I currently have a 3.67 GPA and plan to keep it around that or higher. I'm also vice president of a large club on campus (community service focused).

What I wanted to ask is, what type of work experience should I seek to later get in a top 20 MBA program (Columbia would be my top choice)? IBD is pretty much out of the question coming out of undergrad. I'd also prefer to work in NYC out of undergrad. What type of roles are attainable?

Also, would it be too early to start studying for the GMAT? I want to score at least a 720.

Thank you.

5 Comments
 

Hi scifinator, check out these threads:

If we're lucky, the following users may have something to say: @boilermaker06" @bolha7" @symm0"

You're welcome.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

work experience is an added advantage for getting into MBA program through GMAT route here are the probable fields you should have experience i.e Preferably a managerial job or a field job or a project job or in a startup for about three years after graduation.

 
Best Response

Tempore ratione dicta ea aut sint dignissimos. Eos cum dolorem qui est quo quos. Est officia in dolores nemo inventore aut. Molestiae quibusdam est beatae est et voluptatem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”