MBA or no MBA?

Hi there! I graduated college 2.5 years ago not knowing what I wanted to do. I went to a NESCAC school and majored in econ but did not have any industry experience in finance so I took a accounting job at State Street (biggest regret of my life). But I have figured out that I want to be a trader. I trade in my own account although not as much as I like due to work. I have been trying to get into ANY entry level trader role for about 6 months and have had nothing... not even one interview. Now I am considering going to get a MBA so banks and investment firms will look at me. Is that the best thing to do in this situation? Will I be able to land a trading assistant role a year into a masters in finance? Is that the best degree to get? Any career advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks

5 Comments
 

If you want to be a trader, you do not need an MBA most of the time. However, with the difficulty in finding a position, diversifying your skills with an MBA is a great idea. A Masters in Finance is also a great idea if you want to work quantitatively in Finance, and may help getting a trading job. Most trading firms want intelligent, numbers oriented, quick thinking people, and tend to care less about resumes and experiences that banking. If you want to go into banking, do the MBA.

 
Best Response

MBA is worthless in trading. Get a MF or even better a masters in financial engineering if you're good with math. This will open up opportunities to quant which could be your thing. Some of the programs are just 1-1.5 years. Had a friend who did the one at Cornell which is 1.5 years and gives you internship experience during one of the semesters. Exit ops usually HF/prop firm/BB trading. Cheaper than the MBA and more marketable IMO for what you want to do.

 

Thanks. Seems like the way to go is Masters in Finance. I will definetly start apply to those programs instead with more focus on the math. Thanks alot for the help!

 

Error vel exercitationem ipsum quas ea excepturi voluptatem. Quia et assumenda adipisci quia non nostrum in. Sed repellat eum et aut. Odio ut vel fuga dolorum. In veritatis quaerat eum dolorum quasi dolorum eum alias.

Blanditiis totam inventore illo provident in fugiat non. Ipsum maxime ullam reprehenderit et beatae minus quod consequuntur. Quasi ut molestiae velit deserunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”