How Do Adcoms View Career Changers Moving To a More Junior Role?

Question

Hi, quick question. If I have 5-6 years of experience in Corp Dev/FP&A and have done very well and reached a relatively senior role (mid-level management), but am interested in transitioning to investment banking, how would adcoms view a "downgrade" in position in order to start in a new industry - i.e., a six-month internship at a BB investment bank (think GS, MS)? This internship would be before starting the MBA (but would not be a traditional "pre-MBA internship" in the sense of one completed in the summer immediately before an MBA program). Could this harm my chances of admission by placing me in a different "bucket" together with people who have made more progress in that particular industry, or, on the flip side, could it potentially improve them by showing adcoms I am serious about my post-MBA goals, strengthen the rationale for obtaining an MBA, and add a brand name to my resume? Curious to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

TheIvyLeagueEdge · Answer

Hi SPAIN6,
1) The answer DEPENDS on 
 a) the role transitioned to, the achievements there (in the 6 months), and such other "accomplishments". 
 b) how you explain the transition (It can be done in an optional essay), but  extremely important  that the Ad Com NOT perceive the change as an excuse for a forced exit/ transition.

2) Very important for you to "link" your current expertise with the past role & scope of the transitioned role.

Hope that helps..

SPAIN6 · Answer

Thanks a lot for your reply. Very insightful.

Does anyone else want to contribute their point of view?

ARLeeConsulting · Answer

Hi  SPAIN6 ,

I agree with the previous answer. It depends on how you explain this career move.

Typically, b-schools look for candidates that are at their peak of their careers. This career move could raise a flag, and you would definitely have to explain it in detail (in the Optional Essay or elsewhere).

If possible, I would recommend you to apply to b-school first while you are at your current position. Use the application to explain your IB career goals. Then share your intention to take on an internship in IB pre-MBA so that you're better prepared for a full transition into IB post-MBA.

I hope this helps.

Feel free to reach out to me directly for a more detailed discussion.

Good luck!
Alex

StratusDonna · Answer

I have a client who did this-- they left a secure position and did an internship prior to MBA to build stronger finance expertise. For them, it did work as they were offered a spot at several top programs and with a lot of money too. So it can work-- but it does need to be positioned as "going to" and not "running from" as in... I was forced out or fired from job and now doing x.
But more-- my post MBA goal is X-- and I wanted to do this internship prior to MBA to help me be more competitive post MBA. Now another option-- which many also do-- is to apply R1 and get in by November. And then just set up your internship to go from Jan-June after you have the deposit in and then you don't have to explain it at all to adcom.
If you do want to discuss strategies on how to handle your case-- or get help through the MBA admissions process- please reach out to us at this link for a free consult:
https://stratusadmissionscounseling.com ... b-visitor/

SPAIN6 · Answer

Thanks a lot to you all for your interesting input! Much appreciated.

StratusMBACounselor . I am curious to know whether any of the top schools the person you are referencing got into were Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton? Thanks!

How Do Adcoms View Career Changers Moving To a More Junior Role?

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