NYU Part-time MBA doable while working 60-70 hrs?
Currently in a direct lending role as an associate (6 years of W/E mainly in IB at a tier 3 IB, think Mizuho, Nomura, BNP) working on average 60 hours (before COVID) and was interested in doing a part-time MBA at NYU for a couple of reason:
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Getting a brand name education that would help with originating deals and/or fundraising if I were to progress to the senior level (i.e. I went to a top-50 state school and have an IB W/E but think there's a strong benefit to building my credibility by having an MBA).
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Expanding my network primarily with other PT students that would likely be established in their medium-term careers also. On this point, also broadening my network could be a hedge if I were to lose my job or want to move in the future as I could tap into the broader Stern alumni base.
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Ability to continue working is a pro given I am already in a career I want to remain in at least for the next 5-10 years barring any unforeseen circumstances. Current employer will not be paying for it also.
The issue I have is debating whether earning an PT MBA in the typical 3 years is realistic. I know most that do PT MBAs have more typical 9-5 jobs, but I've read that some Sr. Associate/VP level guys at banks or buyside funds have done PT MBAs at NYU. Was looking at Saturday classes primarily.
Anyone know of anybody that worked in sellside or buyside during their PT MBA?
I would recommend against it, partly because I do not think its feasible time wise and secondly I do not think you would learn much in that format. Have you considered an online MBA or perhaps a 1 year MBA in Europe at Oxford, Cambridge, LBS, Insead??
Right now, I'm looking at schools only around NYC, so the two top schools that come to mind are NYU and CBS.
NYU to my knowledge is the only one that offers PT. CBS doesn't have part time but does offer the J-Term, although it's still a FT program so I would have to leave the workforce. I'm also too young for an EMBA.
PM me.
Part time MBA worked well for me (Berkeley Haas). Similar to you, wanted/needed the income and was already in the field I planned to work in for 5-10 years longer. Took classes on Mondays and Wednesdays evenings. Lived and worked in San Francisco and took the BART to Berkeley. My favorite memories were having drinks with classmates after class and then BARTing back to the City and getting drinks with my wife and friends afterwards like on a Weds night. Go to work the next day.
I worked a very intense Finance job (Buyside), but was also good at what I did so my performance stayed strong. I’d say it got even stronger as my PowerPoint pitch deck skills got so much better after taking the M&A class (great timing as at work we were doing equity raises and my decks became impressive).
Doing all my homework and readings was difficult. Working until 1-2am was normal. Because I did weekday classes, my weekends were sacred. Weekdays also had more activity on campus so I felt more part of the university.
The 3 years was a blitz. I learned a lot. I didn’t have as much time to do the social stuff (also had to take care of parent and later had my first child) but I got as much out of it professionally as I could hope for (post-MBA associate position while doing the MBA part time), and a great brand on my resume. I had some electives with full time students and clubs so I met a lot of people. The alumni association for real estate is very active; for example.
You are lucky there is a great PT program in your city.
I think you need to consider the following:
can you effectively do your job and dedicate 10-15 hours per week to school (also factoring in 6 hours Of class time, 2-3 hours of commuting, 2-4 hours of homework/reading per week)? ME: yes, I was at a place where I was the only one at the company who could do what I did when I applied.
does the next step in your career require a MBA (full or part time)? ME: yes, I wanted to project manage real estate developments so MBA was a preferred credential.
what is your opportunity cost of time and money? Talking about $120-150K. ME: thought about MBA earlier in career, but instead opted for survival as the Great Recession happened. The opportunity costs of time was lower because I was still working and going to school. The money could have been used to buy a house; however, my income increased dramatically my next job.
this is more personal: how much do you like the school, it’s brand and your association and “purchasing of the association.” ME: Berkeley was a school I admired and for years before attended their student run conferences and attended football games. It was a good fit.
Also to add. First year is the most intense since you are taking core classes and getting that out of the way (Haas, not sure at NYU). You have more choices with electives. You can take a summer school course to relieve some course load during the semester.
Also interested in this. Do employers tend to be more understanding and allow for more flexibility if they know you are doing an MBA simultaneously or not really?
I think it depends on employer and your performance. In my case, I want to build up a better track record (I've been with my new shop for only a few months) with my managers before asking for their blessing to do a PT MBA.
I think if you can establish a good rapport and show you can handle your day-to-day responsibilities without any issues, they would be more accepting of you adding an education to that. Ultimately, it's comes down to proving you will not let your school work affect your FT job performance.
also interested in this, however for somewhat of a career change. based in NYC so NYU or EMBA from CBS. trying to go from working in a leadership role for a PE portco to an investment team within PE. would a PT MBA or EMBA hold as much weight & get me to the end goal?
have mortgage payments & what not so taking 2 years of no salary plus $200k cost of MBA would be tough.
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