Want to go to b-school in mid-30s but no clear job prospects

I've been reading a lot of threads on this forum and have posted a few questions. I'm in my mid-30s and want to get an MBA because I believe it'll help me transition into a new industry and possibly function. I have several years of management experience in nonprofit and an Ivy grad degree, and founded my own PR firm. But the only brand name I have on my resume besides by schools is my first job at a top 3 integrated oil & gas company.

I'll probably go into a PT or EMBA (I know, not looked kindly upon here) because of my circumstances but also because it seems nearly impossible getting into a top program at my age and profile. My goal would be to study strategy and/or finance: the former I have some experience in in my nonprofit work but not anywhere like most MBAs (e.g. MBB, Big 4); the latter is because I'm fascinated by investments and investing in companies and, frankly, have always enjoyed the idea of working in finance in some capacity (did PWM internships when I was in UG).

Ultimately, the goal of getting the MBA would be to have the skillset that's going to secure the highest level of income I can manage.

Here is my problem: every single one of the areas I've looked into on WSO (PE/HF/IB/AM/Consulting) makes it seem like it's damn near impossible to get into. I don't know if this is an exaggeration or of it this is what it is but it makes me wonder what the point of getting an MBA if I'm going to be unable to crack into any of the highest paying professions or any of the ones where I see myself.

Is it really that unheard of that a nontraditional MBA grad goes into one of the aforementioned areas without prior experience? Does school attended count for anything? How about academic performance? If I can prove my worth in my classes, will that count for anything? Are there any other post-PTMBA/EMBA paths worth considering that I'm currently not?

Any input/advice would be appreciated.

 

Ad quia autem sit voluptatum nesciunt. Earum eveniet at dolorem. Pariatur debitis ipsam autem vitae accusamus debitis.

Sunt tempora quia quod. Eum molestiae eaque consectetur facilis quasi perspiciatis. Placeat facere sapiente expedita soluta quis eveniet.

Nisi sit doloribus non pariatur. Velit molestiae odio quia corporis temporibus fuga. Quas tempore et inventore enim eum doloremque error.

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

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”