How difficult to leverage an Executive MBA from Columbia/Yale to switch career from retail to banking/PE?

Hey all, rookie chimp here looking for some insight. I am hoping to attend either Yale or Columbia's EMBA program in 2020. I have about 9 yrs work exp in retail managing a large team, no background in banking/IB/PE etc.

The primary reason I want an EMBA is to switch careers, into banking or private equity. Full time is not an option. What are the chances of leveraging an EMBA from Yale or Columbia to transition into banking or PE, with no prior experience? Have you heard of this happening?

I feel like the strong networks of each school should open some doors that would make this possible. But I'd be very greatful to hear from the experts. Also does anybody know if it is possible to attend OCR as an EMBA student thru either program?

Thanks so much in advance for your insights!!

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

Nothing is impossible, as Aleksey Vayner once said, but I'm sure you know EMBAs are less functional for career switches vs. MBAs. I would think PE is too far removed, and while IB is unlikely, your best bet is to network hard and pick up as much job experience as you can. Another route to consider would be corporate banking - slightly closer to IB / sometimes you work with the teams there, and easier to get into

 

Actually, Aleksey said “Impossible is Nothing.”

RIP

 

Possible, but not easy.

I have a friend who did an eMBA from Columbia a few years ago and pulled off what you're planning on. He went from his family business and was able to leverage a Columbia eMBA into a sell side job offer and a middle market IBD role. He networked liked crazy and had great finance skills. I think he took/passed CFA level 1 before his eMBA,which helped. So, it's def possible but not easy. Just to add, his family business was fairly relaxed, so as long as he was in the office all the time, no one cared what he did.

 
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