MS Fin after MBA ----- Does it sound crazy ???

Question

hi,

I completed a MBA (Gen Mgmt) program 3 yrs back. Have a operations/general management profile. I am looking at a career in corporate finance / M&A .

As not many good MBA programs are willing to accept students with prior MBA, that door seems to be closed. Some programs which do accept such students expect min 5/6 yrs of exceptional career growth. I am not willing to hang on till then. Then there is an issue of repeating courses.
Also, I am 28 n dont wanna stick around in an industry i dont particularly like. So there's a kind of urgency in looking for alternatives.

1. Given these facts how does a MS Finance program sound ?
Well i do understand that in the normal scheme of things one wud do a MS first and then an MBA. But mine is an exceptional case of maybe poor career planning !!

Also.

2. How is the career growth of MS Finance grads vis a vis MBA grads ?
In my case i think i can show both industry/general management skills and financial accumen after completing the MS Finance program. Will that make a differance?

Do throw in your ideas. However brutal they might me

Hjort · Answer

Just curious-
Presumably you will apply to positions in finance after you receive your MS Fin. Why not just apply directly to these positions? 

Stated another way, what opportunities/skills/connections do you hope to obtain through the MS Finance that you could not obtain otherwise?

whiteknight · Answer

I have applied for these positions but dont seem to be making much headway, primarily because of my experience. I have a general management profile so co's r reluctant to try me for a modeling/research/banking profile. Moreover i did not take many finance courses in college. so maybe i am not very well suited technicaly.

So going back to college i wanna pickup -

opportunities - a position in corporate fin / open to other profiles (trading , research ) as well
skills - modeling / valuation/financing/ financial analysis of Mergers & restructuring etc.
connections - mainly the brand of the college which affords me the career of my choice.

Hjort · Answer

I think as long as your expectations are reasonable and you have a strong desire to switch careers, pursuing an MS Finance is a reasonable strategy.

Paul · Answer

The LBS MiF includes many people who have previously done an MBA so in this case, it is not inappropriate to do it in reverse order. I must forewarn you though that to do a career switch will always be a harder move and you will really have to show your drive to do so. You will have to work twice as hard but if you can demonstrate that desire, you will be making it into the financial industry. Many people do the MiF precisely to break into the big brand banks or the lucrative P/E, VC, Hedge Fund industry.

tennis1ball · Answer

It is not really crazy.

U of Berkley's MFE has a lot of MBA graduates.

So from your case, it seems that a Master in Finance is better than a MBA when you wanna switch industry. Is this generally true?
Because I am also eying a MFE to get out of the rut in my 3 years in pure IT.
I hope I am on the right course.

anandoswal · Answer

Hi,
Wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!
 
This is regarding my application to LBS-MiF Course.
 
I am Anand Oswal from India. I am planning to apply for the MiF course at LBS. I have a few queries on the same. I would like to request you to kindly have a look at the same. Few words of advice from you will go a long way in improving my application.
 
Brief Details of my background - Electrical Engineer, MBA Fin ( SP Jain), Total about 4.5 years exp todate- 2.5 financial services - Treasury Sales- derivatives, 2 years financial softwares)
 
I have the following queries:
1. What is expected from a typical applicant to LBS-MiF. 
How important is past experience, GMAT Score, Grades at graduation level and the application essay.
2. How should one go about writing the application essay. What are the key parameters in the essay that applicants are judged by. Can you pls send me your essays ( if easily accessible to you).
 
Also there are some basic queries:
1. At LBS, do MBA and MiF students get similar career opportunities.
2. How is the standing and reputation of the course in the industry and how does it fare compared to other Financial Engineering/MBA courses.
3. How much value addition does the course offer in terms of technical skills, career growth,etc as compared to an MBA at LBS/other top ranking b-schools

Thanks and Regards
Anand Oswal
91-9820210519

thaihoang305 · Answer

thank for sharing !!!

thaihoang305 · Answer

well done !!

MS Fin after MBA -----> Does it sound crazy ???

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