adg142000 wrote:
Hi,
I would like to know something about Plan B for your short-term goals. I have done a lot of digging to find out how to align your plan B goal to
Plan A goal so that they don't seem incoherent, but was not successful.
I believe most B-schools ask this so that they can ensure that the candidate is able to payback his finance(just a guess not sure about that
, but that is what came to my mind as a reason for the question).
Say I am basically interested in investment banking - have done a lot of research on that so I know it is not the easiest to get into and future prospects look even worse from various sources I referred to - and know some dynamics of it but want to be in realm to know it better and that is why I want to learn the technical knowledge it is comprised of. So in this case, how can I articulate my plan B or to put it in other way how do technical knowledge acquired can help me in finding some other job.
Also I would like to know if I can answer the long term goal also in sync with my short-term goals as most long term goal of the candidates that I have come across seem forged. I am not being cynical, but I don't understand how do you think that far.
adg142000 wrote:
Hi,
I would like to know something about Plan B for your short-term goals. I have done a lot of digging to find out how to align your plan B goal to
Plan A goal so that they don't seem incoherent, but was not successful.
I believe most B-schools ask this so that they can ensure that the candidate is able to payback his finance(just a guess not sure about that
, but that is what came to my mind as a reason for the question).
Say I am basically interested in investment banking - have done a lot of research on that so I know it is not the easiest to get into and future prospects look even worse from various sources I referred to - and know some dynamics of it but want to be in realm to know it better and that is why I want to learn the technical knowledge it is comprised of. So in this case, how can I articulate my plan B or to put it in other way how do technical knowledge acquired can help me in finding some other job.
Also I would like to know if I can answer the long term goal also in sync with my short-term goals as most long term goal of the candidates that I have come across seem forged. I am not being cynical, but I don't understand how do you think that far.
Most schools ask about a
Plan B because they want to have realistic students who will end up as happy alumni and graduates. The ability to pay back loans is certainly part of that equation, but I don't think it's primary. After a couple fo financial busts (dot com bust and the Great Recession), schools realized that goals students enter b-schools with may not be realistic when they exit. Particularly after the financial crisis in 2008, then began to ask about Plan B.
So what would you do if you could not get the IB job of your dreams? Got to a smaller firm? Work in a corp finance position or perhaps business development in the industry where you have most experience? Would you try to use that position as a stepping stone to your IB position?
Realize that changing function or industry via an MBA is feasible, assuming the job market is cooperating. Changing both in your first post-MBA position can be very difficult.
And yes, your long-term goal should flow naturally from the short-term positions you are now aiming for. The long-term goals however can be more fuzzy.
You might be interested in:
.
Best,
Linda