Hi all. 2nd year analyst in internal consulting at a BB (May 2019 grad) with an opportunity to break into S&T at said BB.
Prior to S&T materializing as an opportunity I figured I’d stay in my internal consulting gig(s), get promotions and then roll off to (hopefully) a T10 B-school 4-5 years down the line. I am fortunate enough to have gone to a good (albeit not Ivy) undergrad, with solid w/e and extracurriculars, as well as a 760 GMAT.
As I think about S&T as an option for my career, just wondering what S&T -> MBA typically looks like. Possible? Frequently done? What are the exit opps? Generally speaking, how are traders perceived as MBA applicants.
As a disclaimer, I ask in advance just because it’s fairly important to me to use my GMAT as a way to at least try for a top B School. It’s a long story, but I feel the undergrad I attended, while good (T50), was an underachievement versus what I was capable of (pretty misguided growing up, didn’t really “get it” until Junior year of college). An MBA would be an opportunity for me to “reset” so to speak. So while I’m not absolutely hung up on the idea and accept that things could change as I mature / potentially enjoy the S&T role and see no need for an MBA, I’d like opinions on the path and whether S&T as a means to an MBA end is viable.
Bump
Yes, obviously S&T to MBA is viable. With that score you could very well get into Columbia, Chicago, Stern etc. Who knows, maybe even HSW.
You should really try and figure out what it is that you want to do for the rest of your life. Since if you love S&T, why not go straight to HF rather than B-school?
Hi, thanks for the reply. You are correct that the broader question here is evaluating what it is I want to do for the rest of my life. Unfortunately I have proven inadequate at answering that question. I work in Program Management / Internal Consulting at the moment, and know that I don't really enjoy it as I have a 10,000 foot view without much actual subject matter expertise. I find it difficult to see where I drive impact. In terms of criteria for what I'd like to do, it revolves around developing deep product knowledge and being revenue generating (i.e., having a quantifiable impact on PnL). S&T seems to fit the bill on both of these items.
However the issue is I am concerned about the long-term viability of S&T, what with automation, increased competition, spread compression, etc. which can result in traders being out of a job at 40 when other careers might just be taking off (have family with anecdotes regarding this). For this reason I am looking to get an MBA to "hedge". Additionally hoping to get into an M7, maybe in HSW though not holding my breath on that, to really round out my academic profile (many regrets about the undergrad I chose to pursue). And finally with goals down the line to be in the C-suite, I'm hoping the MBA can help me out there. So the purpose of this is to at least think about how an MBA could fit into S&T - or the other options available to me.
But again, you are likely correct that answering the broader question about what I want to do is the most important step, unfortunately however the answer there has evaded me despite constant ruminating about it.
Sorry for the rambling... just getting frustrated at my own lack of decisiveness and direction, to be honest.
I think H/S will be tough but agreed that you should be in play at the rest of the M7 and strong at T15.
Thanks, but thoughts on how S&T could fit into an MBA (or vice versa)? A little concerned about the long-term viability of S&T as a career path, see above comment for more details.
The thing about S&T -> MBA is that there's few data points since barely anyone takes that path. People usually stay in S&T for the long run and don't really deviate from that unless its going over to the buyside. You also don't work the insane IB hours so there's little incentive for us to take that $200k "vacation".
My guess is that you'll need to have a really good story as to why you want an MBA (when you start recruiting). They know MBA doesn't add value to an S&T career, so your best bet is to just change careers altogether. Maybe IB, consulting, etc.
I've thought about the same thing. But being honest, if you really like S&T, the best way to "hedge", so to speak, is to get a CS or stats degree. MBA won't do anything for you in this industry unless its banking.
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