Need help - mba query

Question

Hi everyone,

Wanted to seek advice regarding mba.

I have worked at Macquarie Group for 7 years in accounting post which i did my MS Finance at SMU Singapore. Interned there at 4 places, and now work as a M&A Analyst for a boutique financial advisory firm in Dubai.

I am 31 currently and was thinking to do a mba at 33 (preferably 1 year full time) to make a jump to a bigger PE fund/ bulge M&A.

Yet to give my gmat, but wanted to get guidance if i am too late already if i start at 33 and whether a jump i am looking to make seems possible.

I am only doing this to get a bigger jump in career in terms of brand i work for and salary.

Posted from my mobile device

MBAGuide · Answer

Hi Dhruv120292 Its never too late to do an MBA or any course for that matter. Many think there's a specific time when you should do it, but that's not true. Instead, focus on presenting a strong case to the admissions committee with clear reasons why you're motivated and have a solid plan for your future. If you can convince them of your potential, you're more likely to get a positive decision. If you've noticed that not having a strong "brand" or network is holding you back from the private equity opportunities you want, understand the pipeline for the roles you're interested in. This will help you position yourself better and find the right schools that take you closer to your goals. Look for programs with good connections to the industry in the target geography and a reputation for building valuable networks. At the same time, you must also be pragmatic. Since you are targeting the PE space, show your understanding of the current state of the PE industry in the target geography and your prior network within this space, if applicable. For example, the recent downturn in deal-making and fundraising challenges, caused by the rise in interest rates and inflation in the U.S. and further exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, has significantly impacted the PE industry. Financing for leveraged transactions, which is a crucial aspect of PE, has been affected, with banks having to withdraw their support. Therefore, business schools will expect you to be realistic about how you can leverage your background to establish a foothold in the PE industry within a specific field or geography. Best wishes Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer) MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

TheMBAEdge · Answer

Hey  Dhruv120292 ,

There is no hard age cutoff for pursuing an MBA, we have worked with candidates as old as 35 who have wanted to FastTrack their career with the help of an MBA. Just keep one thing in mind that recruiting from MBA programs tends to be very structured and companies are often not willing to accommodate candidates with substantial experience at higher designations and salary. Thus, if you are graduating at 34 from your MBA chances are you will still be considered for a Investment Banking Associate / Private Equity Associate designation while your peers from the same age group (who would have completed their MBA much earlier) maybe gunning for a Director role, although it really wouldn't really make a substantial difference in the long term.
Coming to the transition into a buyside role, keep in mind that the PE/HF industry is probably one of the toughest to crack (even more than IB and consulting) and they are known to have a bias towards returning candidates or those who have prior buyside experience. What I would suggest is that you leverage you current M&A experience to fish for a good buyside role within the Dubai market itself (Dubai as market is far more open than its peers across Asia and Europe). You can use the 2 years to build on your buyside experience and enhance your network which will be useful for returning back to the industry post your MBA. This experience will definitely make you standout from your peers while recruiting for larger PE roles post your MBA.

Hope that helps! All the best!

ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hello  Dhruv120292 ,

Apologies for the delayed response but we hope this finds you in time still.

While you are a senior candidate, it is never too late to do an MBA; you've realized a need now and that is completely fair; this is the point that you need to make in your applications.

A jump is possible; however, for this jump to materialize, you also need to enroll yourself in a reputed program; hence, your focus should be on achieving a GMAT score that gives you a strong chance at targeting some top-notch 1-year programs. Once the GMAT is out of the way, you should focus on consolidating the strengths in your profile as well as your reasons for doing an MBA and put these points forward in a compelling manner.

Should you wish to discuss your prospects in a detailed manner, please feel free to request a profile evaluation session with us.

All the best!

MBADecoder · Answer

A pivot to PE is extremely difficult for any MBA student. I believe you could make the jump to a bulge bracket through your professional network. Regarding the MBA- just wondering if you have considered the Dubal (or London) based LBS eMBA or the Abu Dhabi based INSEAD eMBA? You can continue working while doing the MBA. This route can also help you move to a BB. Namita Garg Founder, MBA Decoder Ask for a profile evaluation: https://mbadecoder.com/services/free-pr ... valuation/

MBAandBeyond · Answer

Hello Dhruv120292 , It's great to hear about your career and educational background. Pursuing an MBA can indeed be a valuable step to enhance your career prospects and achieve your goals. Starting an MBA at 33 is not uncommon at all. Many MBA programs have a diverse age range in their classes, and applicants with several years of work experience are often preferred. Your seven years of experience in accounting and your current role as an M&A Analyst should be seen as valuable assets that can contribute to the classroom experience. One-year full-time MBA programs are popular among professionals who want to minimize time away from work and focus on specific career goals. Since you already have a master's degree (MS Finance), you may be eligible for some accelerated MBA programs or shorter duration options. An MBA from a reputable business school can significantly enhance your chances of making a transition to a bigger Private Equity (PE) fund or bulge bracket M&A firm. Top-tier business schools have strong industry connections, and their alumni networks can open up new opportunities. Preparing for and scoring well on the GMAT is an essential step in the MBA application process. As someone with a finance background, you may have a good foundation for the quantitative section, but it's important to allocate sufficient time for preparation. Clearly define your post-MBA career goals in your application. Admission committees want to see that you have a well-thought-out plan and that an MBA is a logical step toward achieving it. Before committing to an MBA, evaluate the return on investment (ROI) of the program, taking into account the cost of tuition and potential lost income during your studies. Remember that the decision to pursue an MBA is significant and should align with your long-term career aspirations. Best of luck with your MBA journey and your future career aspirations! We offer a limited number of complimentary profile evaluations each week . We match you with the students and alums of top B-Schools according to your background and target schools. In this call, the experts will try to dig out your USP for top B-schools and provide you with honest feedback on your profile and chances to your target schools. Book a free profile evaluation call now! Neha Hadke Strategy Manager Testimonials Meet our Panel of Consultants. Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com MBA and Beyond

TheIvyLeagueEdge · Answer

If I were you, I would pursue an MBA in only 2 conditions:
1. The employer sponsored you OR
2. You would get absorbed right back into the the PE post your MBA

Getting into a new geography will present new challenges by itself; PE & M&A funds are notorious for not being very open to senior candidates post MBA. Unless therefore, your DETAILED research (remember the devil here lies in the details) of how many grads were hired post their MBAs into PE funds/ bulge M&As reveals information, think about the risks involved, and the investment, both in the time (1 year of your life in the MBA + time for GMAT & Application Prep) and the money.

Hope that helps

Need help - mba query

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