Opinions: Last Minute Job Offer vs Matriculating Next Month

Question

I'm seeking opinions from fellow bschool types. Long story short, I'm 30 with a background in ibanking and pe at a small boutique firm. I will be matriculating to a Ross/Duke/Darden school next month. Post school, I ideally want to get back into PE but realize that is super hard so maybe consulting or something finance related (equity research?? as I'm looking to avoid ibanking hours).

Anyway, I've been working as a consultant in a corp dev capacity doing some internal M&A and capital raises for an energy company before school. The location is awesome in many respects but also very very isolated. To entice me not to go to school, I was offered a VP of Corp Dev position and much higher than average MBA starting salaries. There are some serious questions of concern in terms of the company's long term strategy and leadership that are scaring me but nonetheless its high paying with a good title. Also, I'm worried that even though its a good title, that I'd struggle to get future jobs without the MBA. I'm pretty torn what to do.

I'd like to hear what other people in this board would do given a similar situation.

faro · Answer

Why don't you defer or possibly consider an executive MBA instead?

slumdog1000000 · Answer

You gotta figure first if this is the career you want and what you would like to do post-MBA. The fact that you are torn between spending 2 years in a FT MBA program and a new position at work shows that both options are comparable and that you are prepared to consider giving up place at those 3 schools to stay on in your job. Based on the facts that you were offered a place at several top MBA programs and that your company was willing to bend over backward in order to keep you attest to your ability to make an impact wherever you are and in whatever you choose to do. Honestly, if I were you, I'd accept the promotion, stay on the job, and discuss with the company other options that would allow me to pursue an MBA, such as doing it part-time (and possibly, sponsored fully by the company). You could also apply to 1-year program or an EMBA at some top schools. I seriously don't think you will have any problems getting into most programs you want to apply to. Ross/Duke/Darden are good schools but still, they are not your H/S/W. Do you think it's worth giving up a job with good prospects and attend school for 2 years? Think about the ROI and your career aspirations 5, 10, 20 years down the road. And after you have decided, move on : ) I hope this piece of advice helps. Would kill to be in your position! :-D

scorpionz · Answer

Given a background in IB/PE and a desire to move into PE, I would take up the promotion offer, work on the sidelines to get an EMBA after a few years (or a great PT MBA immediately) and network my way into higher circles..I'm just not seeing the value of investing the time & money in a Ross/Duke/Darden MBA in your case (with the limited information available)..

ke18sb · Answer

Thanks for responses. Just as a point of clarification, I'm located on a random island with a population of sub 50k 4 hours away from the continental US (I am not from here and like I said went here randomly for a short term project). So that is a huge factor. When I wrote very isolated I wasn't specific. So while the job is an interesting proposition, living in the middle of no where on a small island is a huge downside. As the above people mentioned, EMBAs, networking etc is out of the question.

method · Answer

Sounds like a good thing to me, I'd stick with it.

scorpionz · Answer

Makes much more sense now..

If you take up the promotion and foresee being 'stuck' on the island for another 5-10 years, then I would go with the MBA. If you can get the promotion and find a way out of isolation within 3-5 years, I would take the promotion and get an EMBA once you're back on the mainland..

Either way you have great options! Good luck!

gooseman13 · Answer

Which excites you more - the job or MBA?

snkrhed · Answer

would kill to be in your position!

why not just defer for another year?

Opinions: Last Minute Job Offer vs Matriculating Next Month

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