Manager
Joined: 31 Aug 2010
Posts: 189
Location: Atlanta, GA
WE 1: 3 years for major bank
Re: Post UG Advice
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01 Oct 2010, 17:15
it wouldn't preclude you at all, but it puts you into a fairly competitive pool (finance people) without giving much of a pedigree in a field that particularly values pedigree. Further, the top business schools want to see career progression and displays of leadership. That may be hard to come by at a small financial planner.
In terms of a job: do what you want to do and do it well, display leadership, and let the rest work itself out. That said, it IS worth it to (a) start the process early by getting your GMAT down and (b) seek out extracurricular activities that will give you leadership experience in something you feel passionately about. Meanwhile, make sure you're keeping your avenues open with anyone you think you might want to write a rec later. For some schools, they require three recommendations.
If your concern is really MBA admission (and I don't think it should be), I'd suggest taking a role in a job that you think you can expand and grow in. Non-profits are a good place for that. Another idea: I have some friends who worked for congressmen, and the career progression on Capitol Hill is unreal (super smart people getting paid a very low salary for long hours = lots of turnover).
EDIT: All this depends on what you're shooting for, of course. If "top" schools mean top 20ish, then I think you're okay with your 3.9+ GPA and presumably a 700+ GMAT (don't assume you'll get this, by the way... it can be harder than you might think) with a few years of work experience. If "top" schools mean Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton you'll be at a disadvantage, I think.