My Dilemma

Question

So, one my main reasons for going to b-school (full-time) has been to make a move from the back office (operations) to the front-office (asset management). I currently work in a $60B shop and have been offered an opportunity to move to the front office, if I would consider attending school part-time, which would be paid for in full. 

My full-time prospects (for starting in '08) were Chicago (on a prayer), Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, and maybe Emory. 

If I took the job, I would go to UW-Madison part-time for 3 years. A reputable school, no doubt. 

So, do I give up on a guaranteed job in the industry to go full-time for a more focused education and hope to land the same role aftwerwards? 

Or, do I go part-time and slug it out (1.5 hour drive each way to Madison two nights a week for three years) 

Sidenote: We (my wife and I) live in Wisconsin, but she would like to get back to Nebraska in the next 5-10 years. So, is it experience+part-time MBA or fulltime MBA to land the job in 5-10?

Nsentra · Answer

IMO the experience you will get working in front office might be just as valuable as a reputable MBA degree, plus you're getting a part-time degree paid in full! with the operations and assets management experience, plus other areas of management you will be able to pick up from UW will probably make give you all the tools you need to succeed in the future. sounds like a great choice to me

MoonShine · Answer

I say, If you get into Chicago, go there full-time. Otherwise, stick with the new front-office role and let them pay for PT . The 1.5 hour drive does sound tough though. Any other PT programs near you?

Mark4124 · Answer

If you are in Wisconsin and you have the opportunity to work in investment management... why not go to Wisconsin-Madison... They have a great applied securities analysis program which would fit very well with your desired profession. You could take your job and not even have to move.

dmwolff · Answer

Maybe you missed the part about me living 1.5 hours north of madison. plus, i've been advised to not pigeonhole an mba into a second cfa. a cfa speaks to financial ability, an mba should speak to a well-rounded leadership ability first and a specialized skill second.

Mark4124 · Answer

Interesting perspective.

3underscore · Answer

How long will your company look to tie you in after the MBA, and if there is a period, does it interfere with your plan to move to Nebraska?

Why do you want to do an MBA? Is it a qualification you want to add, or do you want the social and career network, the broadening element of spending two years solid working with an Army Seal and Pharmacologist on projects? 

Do you actually like your current company, or are you being swayed by a bribe to work another three years? Are you confident this front office job actually exists there (back to front office is very tricky move).

From my own experiences I have never enjoyed part-time / extracurricular study. I want a full commitment to my study where I can properly broaden my knowledge.

Finally, I can't imagine an MBA becoming like a second CFA at all. All schools, no matter what their strength, offer solid core management courses.

Sorry this post seems like a lot of questions. I guess for me these would be the key things I would want to consider to make the decision you are facing - they should clear up some grey areas to get a better picture.

dmwolff · Answer

the second cfa comment came from a gentleman at a prestigous firm that *no longer* recruits from the asap program at madison becasue it is too cfa-prep-centric.

dmwolff · Answer

Any additional insights?

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