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05 Jan 2015, 13:56
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Hi there,
I know this question has already been asked on GMATclub, but I'd love to hear more thoughts about it.
Reading this forum and various blogs, it seems that the best industries for a MBA applicant (e.g. the ones that adcoms allegedly prefer) are consulting, investment banking, and finance. Alternatively, any famous and renowned company within a well-known industry is fine (IT, pharmaceutical business, semiconductor...). It also seems that most candidates who make it to top MBA programs come from big and prestigious firms among these industries.
My question is very simple: aside from those who have worked for prestigious companies, how much room is there for outsiders?
And inside the prestigious industries, would I stand my chances by coming from a smaller, less famous firm?
On a personal note, here is why I'm asking this:
I'm interested in working in strategy/management consulting and I'm also considering applying to a MBA in a few years, once I have gained significant experience (I can currently boast 2 years experience in Asia plus 9 months of internships including a start-up experience).
Yet, I haven't been accepted in any big consulting firm. I can explain it by stating that I graduated from a good but not exceptionally famous engineering school in my country. And here top consulting firms only accept junior candidates that come from the very top engineering schools. Too bad, mine is ranked slightly below their target schools...
Eventually, I'm in the final steps of the recruitment process of a smaller consulting firm. This firm has definitely interested me since I applied, and I'd be very happy to work for them!
My only concern is how would this experience appear on a MBA application in a few years? Can it likely stand at the same level as a consulting job for an internationally-known firm?
Regarding future MBA applications, I'm now thinking of INSEAD and HEC in Europe, and several schools in the US (in the end I guess it will mostly be a trade-off between personal ambition, pragmatism, and also how international the classes and faculty are, since I see an MBA as an opportunity to develop an international network).
Your thoughts are welcome!
Cheers,
Chuck
I know this question has already been asked on GMATclub, but I'd love to hear more thoughts about it.
Reading this forum and various blogs, it seems that the best industries for a MBA applicant (e.g. the ones that adcoms allegedly prefer) are consulting, investment banking, and finance. Alternatively, any famous and renowned company within a well-known industry is fine (IT, pharmaceutical business, semiconductor...). It also seems that most candidates who make it to top MBA programs come from big and prestigious firms among these industries.
My question is very simple: aside from those who have worked for prestigious companies, how much room is there for outsiders?
And inside the prestigious industries, would I stand my chances by coming from a smaller, less famous firm?
On a personal note, here is why I'm asking this:
I'm interested in working in strategy/management consulting and I'm also considering applying to a MBA in a few years, once I have gained significant experience (I can currently boast 2 years experience in Asia plus 9 months of internships including a start-up experience).
Yet, I haven't been accepted in any big consulting firm. I can explain it by stating that I graduated from a good but not exceptionally famous engineering school in my country. And here top consulting firms only accept junior candidates that come from the very top engineering schools. Too bad, mine is ranked slightly below their target schools...
Eventually, I'm in the final steps of the recruitment process of a smaller consulting firm. This firm has definitely interested me since I applied, and I'd be very happy to work for them!
My only concern is how would this experience appear on a MBA application in a few years? Can it likely stand at the same level as a consulting job for an internationally-known firm?
Regarding future MBA applications, I'm now thinking of INSEAD and HEC in Europe, and several schools in the US (in the end I guess it will mostly be a trade-off between personal ambition, pragmatism, and also how international the classes and faculty are, since I see an MBA as an opportunity to develop an international network).
Your thoughts are welcome!
Cheers,
Chuck
06 Jan 2015, 11:45
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Hello Chuck,
You're asking some really good questions and it's smart to be thinking about this a few years in advance of b-school. I can tell you that as a former admissions committee member, while many applicants apply from big name companies, it doesn't mean that their chances are better for gaining admission compared to applicants from lesser known companies. In fact, for the 2013 incoming class at Stanford, incoming students came from 300 different organizations (and the class size was only 406 students). What's really important is to show the quality of your work experience and how you have advanced in your organization. Here's a link to an article written on this exact topic (by one of my colleagues) and I think you will find it particularly helpful. It provides a lot more detail on this subject and I think it will answer some of your questions.
https://fortunaadmissions.com/is-a-brand ... a-program/
Also, if you'd like to speak directly to someone who worked in admissions at INSEAD to discuss your candidacy, please let me know (send me a pm) and I can put you in touch. Good luck with your job search.
Take care,
Dina
You're asking some really good questions and it's smart to be thinking about this a few years in advance of b-school. I can tell you that as a former admissions committee member, while many applicants apply from big name companies, it doesn't mean that their chances are better for gaining admission compared to applicants from lesser known companies. In fact, for the 2013 incoming class at Stanford, incoming students came from 300 different organizations (and the class size was only 406 students). What's really important is to show the quality of your work experience and how you have advanced in your organization. Here's a link to an article written on this exact topic (by one of my colleagues) and I think you will find it particularly helpful. It provides a lot more detail on this subject and I think it will answer some of your questions.
https://fortunaadmissions.com/is-a-brand ... a-program/
Also, if you'd like to speak directly to someone who worked in admissions at INSEAD to discuss your candidacy, please let me know (send me a pm) and I can put you in touch. Good luck with your job search.
Take care,
Dina
22 Jan 2015, 13:49
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Hello chuckf . Thanks for the post.
If you are interested in developing an 'alternative' path to a career in strategy/management consulting, I encourage you to acquire as many career-enhancing experiences for your resume as possible.
Have you considered a leadership-enhancing extracurricular activity such as Toastmasters, SCORE, Taproot, or USA Leadership Corps? These organizations help motivated professionals, like yourself, to serve others while building upon their existing professional talents.
Consider partnering with one of these organizations. Then, at a later time you will be able to describe the leadership, consulting, or entrepreneurial skill-sets you developed via your MBA essays or career interviews.
Best of luck to you,
Maxwell Roper
Outreach Director
USA Leadership Corps
If you are interested in developing an 'alternative' path to a career in strategy/management consulting, I encourage you to acquire as many career-enhancing experiences for your resume as possible.
Have you considered a leadership-enhancing extracurricular activity such as Toastmasters, SCORE, Taproot, or USA Leadership Corps? These organizations help motivated professionals, like yourself, to serve others while building upon their existing professional talents.
Consider partnering with one of these organizations. Then, at a later time you will be able to describe the leadership, consulting, or entrepreneurial skill-sets you developed via your MBA essays or career interviews.
Best of luck to you,
Maxwell Roper
Outreach Director
USA Leadership Corps
