It’s interesting the cultural divide between Europeans and Americans on here. In Europe the standard model for someone to enter a finance related job is undergrad->masters->work. In the US it’s undergrad->work->MBA->work. In Europe it’s almost assumed now that you’ll get a masters straight after undergrad. That culture doesn’t seem to exist at all in the US. MBA’s are still rare in Europe. I don’t know anyone in my company who has one (AM of a major European bank).
Lot’s of people I know in India too follow the “European route” you’ve mentioned. Companies value an MBA more over there, not so much work experience. So a lot of people rush to do their MBA’s right after undergrad. It makes them more marketable I suppose. It’s actually a minimum requirement as well for most jobs.
If you can get into a top 7 program, do it. The only people who will tell you it’s not worth it are the ones who couldn’t get in.
T2, you’d rather be more polite towards the people who received their CFA charters and work in renowned banks/funds - without an MBA that is. Your last post is actually an offence, you should think before writing such BS
Danteshek Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I think the majority of those looking to do an MBA > have some serious self confidence issues. I say > this as someone who once considered an MBA and > read the BW forums for over a year. Did you actually end up applying to business school?
T2 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > If you can get into a top 7 program, do it. The > only people who will tell you it’s not worth it > are the ones who couldn’t get in. Exactly correct. I would even expand the scope to top 25 or so frankly.
Personally, I don’t think it’s worth it unless you graduate in good times. A recent Business Week article descibed how it takes people who graduate in a recession 13 years to recover financially from those who graduate during better times. I believe it may be even more difficult for people who will be graduating in this recession since it will be longer and deeper than prior recessions.
Hopefully the recession is done by 2012, so I can cash in. Cha-ching!
MBA decision depends on each individual’s story. For me I think it makes sense, I went to a state school (05) and graduated summa cum laude but had a tough time getting into my field so I took a finance job that while should be acceptable for CFA is not exactly what I want to do so in the meantime I passed all levels of the CFA. But now I have been piegon-holed into this job and have had a difficult time getting into something I want even with the CFA. But I think (right or wrong I’m not exactly sure) getting an MBA from a top-school along with a CFA would get me into a career I want. But I seriously cannot justify a full-time program, I think a part-time program is much more reasonable as far as money goes.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=946533325&play=1 I used to think HBS was for intellects, now I realize its just for dopey blondes…
s23dino Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- But now > I have been piegon-holed into this job and have > had a difficult time getting into something I want > even with the CFA. But I think (right or wrong > I’m not exactly sure) getting an MBA from a > top-school along with a CFA would get me into a > career I want. What do you want to do? if you don’t mind telling. i am curious because you have passed all levels but still can’t get that job.
Neud Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > T2, you’d rather be more polite towards the people > who received their CFA charters and work in > renowned banks/funds - without an MBA that is. > Your last post is actually an offence, you should > think before writing such BS lol. my cousin graduated from Tufts with a BS and makes more than Wharton MBA of the same age
surveyinn Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > s23dino Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > But now > > I have been piegon-holed into this job and have > > had a difficult time getting into something I > want > > even with the CFA. But I think (right or wrong > > I’m not exactly sure) getting an MBA from a > > top-school along with a CFA would get me into a > > career I want. > > What do you want to do? if you don’t mind telling. > i am curious because you have passed all levels > but still can’t get that job. I am more interested in investment analysis (I know not very specific). To be fair though I haven’t look as hard as I should be, I’m just a little scared to job ship in this market and from what I have scene there is not much out there. Also, I can’t use CFA just yet, I need 1.5 more years exp.
T2 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > If you can get into a top 7 program, do it. The > only people who will tell you it’s not worth it > are the ones who couldn’t get in. + 1
“lol. my cousin graduated from Tufts with a BS and makes more than Wharton MBA of the same age” So, are you extrapolating this one anecdotal data point to an entire population of Tufts undergrads vs. Wharton MBAs?
s23dino, a major part of the value of the MBA is the opportunity to go through recruiting. Even if you can’t get into a top program, a solid region program will still likely open doors for you if you feel you are at a dead end right now.
tvPM Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=946533325&pl > ay=1 > > I used to think HBS was for intellects, now I > realize its just for dopey blondes… This girl is soooooooo nerdy
TheAliMan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > tvPM Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > > http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=946533325&pl > > > ay=1 > > > > I used to think HBS was for intellects, now I > > realize its just for dopey blondes… > > > This girl is soooooooo nerdy I know rite , its like if i ever got admission at Harvard, i still wouldn’t go if you turn out to be like that.
T2 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > s23dino, a major part of the value of the MBA is > the opportunity to go through recruiting. Even if > you can’t get into a top program, a solid region > program will still likely open doors for you if > you feel you are at a dead end right now. Agreed, that is one reason I am looking to getting into MBA school and may expand my target schools to a couple good local MBA schools. I think I can get into the top school in my area but it’ll be alot of work to get in, a lot of work in the program (which I don’t because I have nothing else going on), and considerable costs. My motivation level since passing lvl III has been extremely low though.
i think a lot of people may have a tendency to overstate the importance of networking. Networking is great to get a foot in the door, and yes, if you luck out, it may be able to land you a great job. but networking doesnt mean you are prepared to excel at that job and it doesnt guarantee you promotions all the time. Hard work day in and day out and a commitment to learning the industry should pay play a greater role. i got my finance job my applying online directly through my company’s website in 2004. i had minimal experience, but have been able to work and wiggle and finagle my way towards a finance position that gives me what i think is good potential and great experience. networking can be a great shortcut and im not knocking it, but working hard in whatever job you do get can also work wonders