23 y/o freshman
Hey, how it's going everyone?
Long time reader of the forum. Allow me to present some of my background to you all. I'm 23 in the Fall this year, and I have no real college experience. I went to community for theatre for a few semesters, accrued $5k in debt, and then went back to the workforce. I've been working full-time hours since I was 16, and I've accumulated a lot of skills from Microsoft Suite mastery, email, customer service, etc. in that timeframe just from every form of customer service you can name. I just received a certificate from a UX Design Bootcamp.
However, my dream was to always be either a corporate lawyer in BigLaw, a Strategy Consultant at MBB, or an Investment Banker at a bulge bracket bank. I'd start with community again before transferring to Michigan. I'm wondering, due to my financial situation, my lack of experience, and my age, is pursuing any of those careers (Mgmt Consulting in particular) a reasonable and realistic goal at this point? 4 years from now, I'll be 27. 3 years of experience and then another 2 for MBA later I'll be 31. Will that be frowned upon, and potentially ruin any serious career chances? Will my skills in data analysis, Microsoft, and user research be transferable enough? Alternatively, could I make the same kind of money as a UX researcher? Or perhaps, transfer positions internally?
Curious to know your thoughts. Thank you.
TLDR; Is it worth pursuing the prestige careers at 24, and 2 years of community?
> due to my financial situation
Nobody will care about your financial situation
> my lack of experience
Think of yourself as a freshman and do the types of things a freshman at Michigan would do to get a job in consulting upon graduation (join consulting club, leadership positions in other clubs, good GPA, get internships, etc)
> 3 years of experience and then another 2 for MBA later I'll be 31
You don't need an MBA for IB or consulting. Focus on getting the job out of undergrad
When I said financial situation, I was referring to the two years of community that'd be on my resume. But I've heard that they go by last degree, is this true?
Good advice, though. Thank you. Even at 27, you think it'd be worth it?
Recruiting goes by whatever you put on your resume -- you'd be recruiting with the Michigan class of 20xx. Leave the CC off your resume if you feel insecure about it
I can't answer if it's worth it because I don't know your values and preferences, but just understand that in exchange for the high pay and relatively rapid career advancement that you'll be working long stressful hours
Ok but what do you actually want to do?
Law, consulting, banking, and UX research are 4 completely different paths. Are you optimizing for money? Interest? Impact?
Nobody else will care much that you're a few years older. If anything, a few years of life experience is valuable. You'll just want to be more cautious about timing--do you want to make seven digits while working too much to build a relationship with your kids?
Great question. I don't have a specific desire, in terms of a profession. If I had to pick, it'd be consulting due to the travel. At the risk of sounding shallow, I want outcomes in the most reasonable amount of time. So I'm optimizing money, impact, and timeframe in that order. Willing to sacrifice a short timeline if potential results are potent.
That's great to hear. In terms of the WLB issue you presented, I'm not looking to have kids until I'm 35-40. I'm not particularly close with my family, either, so as long as I can provide them with financial benefit I'm fine with not seeing them often.
I’m mid twenties in my “sophomore” year of college with a BB IB offer for next summer—and with 0 regrets about coming back to school. Also just a tiny suggestion 🤏 to add Columbia to add to your list along with Michigan—look up the school of general studies bc I think it might be a good fit for you and would open doors in literally any of the fields you mentioned
Thank you for this. I wish you well on your career path. I'll look into Columbia and general studies
Good luck to you too! I hope you decide to pursue your education, it sounds like you would really make the most of it.
The only drawback to GS i would note is the high cost but if you’re focused on a lucrative career it absolutely pays dividends.
From my personal experience.. I was 27 years old and a CFA charterholder with extensive financial and limited M&A experience and was told by recruiters I was too old to make the jump. Fast forward that 2 years and I was working in private equity. I honestly believe, it comes down to your mindset on what you can achieve. If it is something you know you want, you will do what you need to do to get there. It's all about discipline and willpower.
In the famous words of Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right,”
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