Can an MBA help you transition from FP&A/corporate finance roles to high finance jobs such as IB?
For a variety of reasons (chief among them the fact that I'm going to a non-target school and got interested in investment banking a little too late), I think IB and other high finance roles are closed off to me for now. However, when thinking about my future, I began floating the idea of working in corporate finance/FP&A type roles (hopefully at decent companies, obviously), and going for a top MBA after a few years of good work experience to transition into high finance.
But is this a realistic goal? I read an article on Mergers and Inquisitions that was all about how an MBA won't be worth it unless you're from a non-finance background (such as engineering) and want to make a career change into IB, or if you already have IB/PE experience and your firm told you that you need an MBA to advance. If you read the article, it seems fairly well-reasoned and admittedly put a bit of a damper on my hopes (I'd post the link, but I'm a new user and the WSO won't let me post links in order to prevent spam). The article is called, "Will an MBA Get You Into Investment Banking?" Just Google that if you want to read it.
Is there anyone here who came from a non-target school, worked in FP&A/corporate finance/similar jobs, and successfully made it into a top MBA program, and broken into high finance? Or do you know anyone who's done it? And if I'm being fucking delusional to think that this can be done, please let me know.
Came from no-name school (studied biology), worked in investment consulting, obtained CFA charter, worked at family office, interning this summer at a EB in a regional office - so long that COVID doesn’t completely throw a wrench in the plans. B-school ranking in ~30-40 range. Can be done, just a bit harder than the more traditional path.
How did you manage to break into investment consulting from a Biology Majo with no previous work experience. I am currently in FP&A and your experience would be helpful.
That M&I article is full of shit. People from all sorts of backgrounds will use a Full-Time MBA from a top program in order to transition into Investment Banking. For those looking to transition into IB, the value of a top MBA comes from the access to recruiters and the networking opportunities during your first year. My advice is to reach out to current students at top MBA programs (Top 15 type programs on USNews) and talk to them about what it was like to recruit for investment banking.
Came from FP&A, corporate finance and am heading to an EB this summer from a T25 MBA. Very doable with an MBA.
very very doable but not worth the gamble unless your MBA is T30, preferably T20/15
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