MBB exit opportunities for those with non-MBA masters?

Hey all,

I'll be at MBB in a few months. I have a soft econ-related MA from an Ivy and don't have a business background at all. My prior work experience is entirely in nonprofits/foundations.

Considering this, would my exit opportunities be substantially different than others typically have? I'm interested in typical F500 exit opps as well as PE (which I know is difficult).

An MBA is not likely for me unless I really need one. I'm happy to stay at MBB for a while if possible, but feel like I don't have an idea of what to expect post-MBB.

Any thoughts? thanks!

 

which city will you be based in? this is also to be considered, since some offices are better than others

as long as you can capitalize on what it is exactly you did pre mbb, it should be fine bschools increasingly take more and more people from entrepreneurial backgrounds, so if that foundation work was in any way start up in nature, work on that

.
 

Matayo,

I think I didn't communicate my question well. I'm saying I do not plan on getting an MBA and I'm wondering if my exit opportunities from MBB will be substantially different from others considering I only have an MA and no business background. I would guess the answer is yes, but I wasn't sure if MBB would override that.

My masters is in public policy with a heavy econ focus.

Thanks for your help.

 

If you're entering at the pre-MBA level, then you're really no different from other MBB analysts. If you're entering at the post-MBA level, PE would be almost impossible (since you do not have prior PE experience), but after 2 years at MBB your lack of MBA shouldn't be a big deal to most F500 companies.

 

Hey all,

I'm now almost 1.5 years in and am facing the decision of whether to go for MBA sponsorship or just try to ride things out to an eventual exit.

I'm curious to get thoughts on my question above. Doesn't anyone have an idea as to how disadvantaged I would be for F500 coming out of MBB with a non-MBA master degree, and unrelated previous work experience (nonprofit).

I have been through grad school once, and even if I could get a top MBA paid for (e.g. HBS), I'm not sure if it's worth the time. Am I crazy to turn down the opportunity?

 
Best Response

What level were you hired as? If you were hired at the same level as someone out of undergrad I would imagine your exits would be similar, unless you went to somewhere that valued your specific masters highly. Given that it sounds like your masters degree didn't give you many technical skills (correct me if I'm wrong) that seems somewhat unlikely.

What are your long term goals? I think, as others have mentioned, PE would be difficult given your lack of banking experience. My best guess for your path to PE would be MBB->sponsored MBA->MBB-> Bain capitol/some other PE firm that loves consultants. This is a pretty long path so you'd have to really like doing the consulting work.

If you want to make a long term career in a F500 I would strongly suggest getting a sponsored MBA if that is in the cards. I can imagine plenty of companies drooling over a MBB consultant with an MBA business schools ">M7 degree. Also if you're in a corporate environment for long enough the MBA will be relevant when they're deciding who gets promoted to more senior levels first.

If you're really in it for the long game corporate/business-y exits I would try to get a top tier MBA, especially if you can get it paid for by someone else. If you want to go back to nonprofit type work I would imagine you could leave to do that whenever. If something else tickles your fancy, let us know.

Disclosure: I'm biased towards getting an MBA as it sounds fun and I think our society is headed more and more towards credentialism.

 

I am no officianado on MBB so take my comments with a grain of salt. I work in a F500 Corp Development group. Have a lot of contact with consultants from Big 4 and a MBB quite often. Without knowing how the internal networks work (ie - does going to HBS then exiting MBB really just a function of your alumni/contacts?), I don't see how this is an issue. Especially if you have a "econ-related" background. Just kick ass at MBB and I would think that brand would carry you. I can tell you that if we had a former MBB from an Ivy (no matter what the Masters degree is in), we would be interested for Corp Development. I think PE may be a different story. My thought would be to spend a few extra years at MBB instead of the typical 2-3 then exit. Those extra years may add credibility to any concerns over a non business degree. You see Econ and Law Degrees in business - not as common as MBAs but they are there.

Editorial comment: I get sick of working around total MBA types. I worked in government on the lobbying side before getting into business and found the people to be much more interesting and enjoyable to work around. Yeah they didn't use an excel model to figure out how long it will take them to take a dump, but they actually read a book or two, had interest beyond business, and were generally more interesting. On the corporate side, your ability to work with people, manage projects, and have some meaningful conversation with employees is very powerful. We have a former banking analyst in our dept now and it is liking watching a car accident when we are sourcing a deal and they have to present and make small talk. Not as much the case in finance related roles but if F500 is your goal, I think you are fine.

 

Thanks everyone

In regard to PE - I fairly frequently get emails from headhunters for "pre-MBA" positions, but it's hard to know how many are just copy/pastes. When I spoke with one recruiter they said if I wanted PE specifically my best bet was to come in with a large class mostly from consulting (pre-MBA level - recruiting Jan/Feb) where no one will care that I even have a masters, or alternatively find a boutique firm.

I'm just not sure if going for a pre-MBA PE position now would mean that I would still be pressured to get an MBA in a couple of years.

As for F500 - it seems the safest bet is M7 MBA or sticking it out in consulting a few more years (easier said than done). If I tried to make it with only 2 years MBB, and no other business background, it seems not-impossible but not easy.

 
MBB_good_times:

I'm just not sure if going for a pre-MBA PE position now would mean that I would still be pressured to get an MBA in a couple of years.

You won't be "pressured" to do anything (unless you want to go back to PE, in which case they'll push you out to do the MBA before giving you a post-MBA position). 2 years MBB + 3-4 years PE will set you up nicely for a F500 (depending on what you want to do). You can probably get some good connections at your PE firm too via your clients (know several friends who left their PE firms to go work with companies they acquired, etc.)
Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

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Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)

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