Engineer - Over to Business

Hi,

I was hoping that some current business/finance professionals could give some advice in regards to a change I am hoping to make regarding my career. I'll try to make it quick but anything would be appreciated.

I went to Rutgers and graduated with an engineering degree two and a half years ago. I did very well (GPA: 3.9+) and went into the engineering field because it would've been impossible not to start there and try to get in after the fact. (By the way, I mention my GPA not because I intend to boast but rather because all the other threads seem to reference your academic records when not coming from a "target" type school.)

Essentially, I plan on attending Rutgers for an MBA (part-time). I chose to do this on my own so please don't tell me to go to an Ivy League/Top 10 B-School, which I feel I have a very good chance of being admitted if I so chose. Rutgers is one of the more accessible schools for me to attend and I feel is a good school.

I am interested in trying to make the transition into a financial related role, one which would be quantitatively oriented. I won't even begin to attempt to describe my dream role because I don't know, which is part of the reason I am attending B-School...to learn.

Would I have a tough time obtaining a decent post-MBA position given that I am coming from a non-financial background? I am referring to an, for lack of a better word, "ideal" post-MBA job...not in an operations or a support role. I won't pretend to start mentioning exact positions because I don't know them (again, my rationale for attending B-School). I would look now, as I currently stand, but I don't know that I would have a good shot at landing any roles.

If anyone has any comments, I would appreciate it. I am sure I will get a flurry of backlash or insults from this post (I have read a few postings and it was brutal), and that is fine...it won't discourage me. But any suggestions/advice that might be thrown in there that would be "constructive" would be appreciated, too.

Thanks.

 

going to tell you to go to a better school which will open up more opportunities. it doesn't matter if you feel it's a good school it matters who recruits there. unless you're already enrolled and looking for self-assurance, you probably won't find it

 
FutureMBAer:

Essentially, I plan on attending Rutgers for an MBA (part-time). I chose to do this on my own so please don't tell me to go to an Ivy League/Top 10 B-School, which I feel I have a very good chance of being admitted if I so chose. Rutgers is one of the more accessible schools for me to attend and I feel is a good school.

Do you plan to work part time while doing your MBA? if not then the accessibility should NOT be a factor and you should definitely go to a better school...you never know how the job market will be 2 years down the line..and also you do not have a finance background..therefore the placement should be the first criteria in choosing school...

 

I didn't intend to literally mean don't be brutal. It was more a sarcastic remark because I noticed other replies on forums which were amusing due to their own sarcasm.

Frankly, I'm not looking to be reassured. I just don't know how much I might be at a disadvantage due to going to Rutgers Business School. Unfortunately, accessibility is an issue since I live quite far from NYU (the closest top school). I have read that in some circumstances, it isn't even worth going part time at all or to instead "donate to a good cause so I'll at least know I'll make a difference in .000001% of someone's life" (now come on, that is amusing..ha).

I guess my original posting didn't reflect its intended purpose. Essentially, going to Rutgers Business School, would I be at a considerable disadvantage.

Making moves...
 

Going to Rutgers is a waste of your time and money. You will not have access to the opportunities you hope for. Your MBA is an opportunity to rid yourself of your less-than-ideal past (I'm sorry, finance is very elitist). While you might learn a lot during your MBA, the main purpose is to provide you with employment of your choice after you graduate. Going to Rutgers will severely inhibit your options.

 

Going to an average B-school like Rutgers is only good if you already have a career path (like in an engineering firm) and just need the additional soft skills / management skills that an MBA will provide you. If you're really looking to switch careers and get recruited, it's probably not the place for you because I don't think many banks look there. Check out their recruiting schedule though - I may be wrong.

In any case, if you're looking to get into a quant role an MFE from a top school like Princeton or Haas may be just as or more suitable than an MBA.

 

There are three (main) reasons to get an mba:

(1) to network (2) to change one's professional role (3) to improve one's pedigree

Your choice (part-time at your undergrad institution) will help with (2), but only somewhat help with (1). Networking in full-time programs is much easier/productive. Regarding (3), you're not adding much pedigree, if any.

Also, the ugrad and mba are the same school, which is a significant negative. I'd recommend another institution for some academic/network diversity.

My risk/reward conclusion: your MBA will not help you very much, but good luck to you.

 

Sunt et dolore provident molestias quaerat facilis ullam ullam. Ab neque ratione fugiat molestiae. Doloribus nostrum laborum delectus vel nemo. Dolores vel ipsum in quis nobis. Nam aut voluptas qui nemo tempora doloribus. Ut sequi dolorem enim et commodi eveniet.

Autem id perspiciatis quae porro repellendus. Odit repellendus est minus autem aut provident dolorum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (65) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (199) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
5
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”