MBA after undergraduate for Military Veteran
I’m currently attending a target school in CA (think UCLA, Berkeley), and I’m also a military veteran (Enlisted). I’m 27 years old, and I have found it difficult to compete with 20-year-old kids that have more finance related internships and experience than me. Only have a PWM internship under my belt.
I was thinking about going to business school after I finish my bachelor’s, in order to catch up with people my age. I would only go to business school if I get accepted in one of the top 5 MBA programs. I was also thinking about applying to Princeton and MIT (MsFinance Program). I’m thinking an MBA or MsF may help me catch up.
I have a 3.8 GPA (Junior), and I’m going to start preparing for the GMAT soon.
My objective is to break into IB to eventually move to PE or VC.
I would like to get some opinions about business school. I’ve heard is not good to go to business school right after getting your bachelor’s, but I think this only applies to people with no labor experience (Maybe wrong)
What do you guys think?
You would probably be a good candidate for business school due to your nontraditional background and experience, and because of your target age. Average age class for MBAs is usually right around 27. You could easily spin your story as a "career change" pathway if your major isn't econ. If your major IS econ, it will probably look like you struck out as an undergrad, but you could probably still spin your story because of your strong GPA.
Are you getting any money from the government // could you get money (will they subsidize further education)? If the answer is yes, I think that makes the decision much easier and relatively straightforward if MBA is what you're after.
Alternatively if you want a job ASAP, what I would do, you could try to land a job for full time recruiting or delay graduation and have another chance for a summer analyst position at a bank during your senior summer. The reason I'm leaning more towards delaying graduation is a) you save yourself 2 years of time & money (MBA requires both obviously) and b) Banks look favorably upon former veterans due to strong discipline and maturity. If you really push that part of your "story" and have all the basic technical questions down, you should have no trouble landing a summer spot and converting it to full time. Good luck.
Im an Economics major in my Junior year. I think one of my problems is that due to few things I experienced in the military, now I have anxiety. My anxiety has affected my interview skills as well.
In addition, I believe I made a major mistake. Last semester, I decided not to network or apply to any summer internships because I joint the SEO program. Unfortunately, they have not contacted me in months. Last week I tried to set up my second round interview with them, and it seems like they are not interviewing anymore people for investment banking. I regret trusting their advice not to apply to any internship, and go through their program.
Now I think it's time for damage control. That's why I was considering the MBA
pm sent
What is the point of applying to an MsFinance program if you are trying to catch up? I'm fairly confident that those candidates apply to Analyst positions and only MBAs are the ones going into the Associate roles, which is where it seems like you want to be.
Also, why are you finding it difficult to compete with 20 y/o traditional students? Your resume and networking should be blowing them out of the water if you're approaching it the right way. There are a ton of vets on the Street that look out for other vets trying to break in. Additionally, banks aren't just looking for finance geeks that interned at hedge funds in grade school to work at their company. They actually value people like you.
I'm a former enlisted vet as well and started banking at the SA/Analyst level at an older age than you. I know of a lot of resources and techniques to break in. Feel free to PM me if interested.
You should check with individual schools regarding whether your military experience will count as work experience, since it occurred prior to your undergrad. Some schools specifically require post-graduate (post-college) work experience. I'd reach out to veterans and admissions offices at the schools you're interested in.
what year of undergrad are you in?
MSF is useless at this point. if you are going to do it, go the MBA route.
Junior
First, thank you for your service.
I would hope your military background should be viewed as a + by companies. When I was working in the professional world I always had better success in the teams I built when I was fortunate to hire people who were prior military.
edited
Join the Military Veterans in Finance Group on Linkedin. There are tons of vets on there who are happy to help.
I've been in your shoes, shoot me a pm if you want to chat.
I am in a similar situation although I am not a military veteran but still, I am 26 working as a derivatives trader. I am confused between an MBA AND MSF, which would be a better option? As far as you are concerned I believe you have full time work ex and are eligible for MBA though not post baccalaureate experience but still counts.
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