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Autumn97
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Hi, everyone!
I'd like to get some advice on how to frame post-MBA goals after making a switch to a new job (in a completely different industry) 2 months before the application deadline. I'm planning on applying to business school in the fall (early round/R1), but I'm a little unclear on framing a strategy given the changes that lie ahead.

To provide some background, I currently work as a Risk Analyst at a Big 4 firm and have experience in mainly statistical modeling. However, my current project of almost a year has very few learning opportunities and I have decided to quit my job and join the family business, which is in the automotive industry. I decided to take this step for two reasons: 1) It would provide me on-field experience for aspects of the business that I haven't worked in such as Operations and Supply Chain. This would definitely help me leverage my MBA better. 2) To understand how a business operates as a whole which will help me should I want to try my hand at entrepreneurship.

However, since I will have only over a month of experience by the time I apply, it won't add anything meaningful to my application. Plus, since the role will be in a completely different industry, it makes coming up with post-MBA goals much harder since I don't know if I should pick consulting/finance/manufacturing as my ST/LT goals.

One of the suggested paths is to say I'd be returning to my family business post-MBA and give a solid reason as to why I need an MBA without even experience in the industry, but I'd really like to explore if there is another way to spin this. My post-MBA goal is most likely consulting. In the long-term, I would like to open up a boutique consulting firm that helps turn struggling companies around. In the short-term, I'd like to work at an Accenture, or a Kearney to focus on operations consulting. (Yep, another average Jane)

I'd love to hear your thoughts on 1) which goal is likely to get me accepted 2) if I were to pick the consulting goal, would my story make sense?

Thanks a lot!
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MBADecoder
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Job change before applications 28 Jun 2020, 12:52
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Autumn997
Hi, everyone!
I'd like to get some advice on how to frame post-MBA goals after making a switch to a new job (in a completely different industry) 2 months before the application deadline. I'm planning on applying to business school in the fall (early round/R1), but I'm a little unclear on framing a strategy given the changes that lie ahead.

To provide some background, I currently work as a Risk Analyst at a Big 4 firm and have experience in mainly statistical modeling. However, my current project of almost a year has very few learning opportunities and I have decided to quit my job and join the family business, which is in the automotive industry. I decided to take this step for two reasons: 1) It would provide me on-field experience for aspects of the business that I haven't worked in such as Operations and Supply Chain. This would definitely help me leverage my MBA better. 2) To understand how a business operates as a whole which will help me should I want to try my hand at entrepreneurship.

However, since I will have only over a month of experience by the time I apply, it won't add anything meaningful to my application. Plus, since the role will be in a completely different industry, it makes coming up with post-MBA goals much harder since I don't know if I should pick consulting/finance/manufacturing as my ST/LT goals.

One of the suggested paths is to say I'd be returning to my family business post-MBA and give a solid reason as to why I need an MBA without even experience in the industry, but I'd really like to explore if there is another way to spin this. My post-MBA goal is most likely consulting. In the long-term, I would like to open up a boutique consulting firm that helps turn struggling companies around. In the short-term, I'd like to work at an Accenture, or a Kearney to focus on operations consulting. (Yep, another average Jane)

I'd love to hear your thoughts on 1) which goal is likely to get me accepted 2) if I were to pick the consulting goal, would my story make sense?

Thanks a lot!
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If you wish to stay in consulting, I'd say your first choice should be to get into another project at your firm. That will give you the path of least resistance with regards to the post MBA goal.

If you get into the family biz and wish to mention your goals around it, then I'd say you should work there another year before you apply. I don't know how much your current experience is but that would be a relevant question. Also if you have already been involved in the family business on the side and know about its opportunities and challenges, then it may be easier to sell why you want to come back to it after MBA.

Even for the sake of the application, you should give a goal that you believe in, that comes from the heart, and you can defend during the interview.
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MBADecoder

If you wish to stay in consulting, I'd say your first choice should be to get into another project at your firm. That will give you the path of least resistance with regards to the post MBA goal.

If you get into the family biz and wish to mention your goals around it, then I'd say you should work there another year before you apply. I don't know how much your current experience is but that would be a relevant question. Also if you have already been involved in the family business on the side and know about its opportunities and challenges, then it may be easier to sell why you want to come back to it after MBA.

Even for the sake of the application, you should give a goal that you believe in, that comes from the heart, and you can defend during the interview.
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Thanks for your response!
I have already tried to change projects but due to the current economic situation, there's not many available. My reasons for quitting were - 1) Not many learning opportunities. 2) The family business is not doing good presently. And since I'm familiar with the processes (I spent my summers there), even if it's only a year, I could really help out.

I will have 4 years of work ex at matriculation (3 years in consulting + 1 year in the family business).

I have decided to frame my goals as - I joined consultancy to learn X. While there, I did Y, but after my family business was hit hard from COVID, I knew my skills could be put to better use. In the next year, ,I'll use my Z expertise learned at (Big 4) to optimize A at the family business and get them through this rough patch. However, I need a holistic business perspective to really understand all the levers you can pull to make a business successful in challenging times. My ST goal will be to return to the family business and grow it to a certain level; in the LT, I'll go on to start my own consultancy where I can help save other struggling businesses.

Does this seem realistic and logical given my experience? My main concern is how the Adcom would view me wanting to start my own company despite working for the family business. Just want to ensure I'm not missing anything.

Thanks!
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Autumn997


Thanks for your response!
I have already tried to change projects but due to the current economic situation, there's not many available. My reasons for quitting were - 1) Not many learning opportunities. 2) The family business is not doing good presently. And since I'm familiar with the processes (I spent my summers there), even if it's only a year, I could really help out.

I will have 4 years of work ex at matriculation (3 years in consulting + 1 year in the family business).

I have decided to frame my goals as - I joined consultancy to learn X. While there, I did Y, but after my family business was hit hard from COVID, I knew my skills could be put to better use. In the next year, ,I'll use my Z expertise learned at (Big 4) to optimize A at the family business and get them through this rough patch. However, I need a holistic business perspective to really understand all the levers you can pull to make a business successful in challenging times. My ST goal will be to return to the family business and grow it to a certain level; in the LT, I'll go on to start my own consultancy where I can help save other struggling businesses.

Does this seem realistic and logical given my experience? My main concern is how the Adcom would view me wanting to start my own company despite working for the family business. Just want to ensure I'm not missing anything.

Thanks!
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Hi,

Here is my 2 cents.

I feel the direction that you are taking. It is genuine and real. I advise you to continue in this but try to dive deeply and you find more about yourself. Give yourself some time. You can, for example, talk about the COVID-19 effect on your business and what this meant to you and your family. You can drive from this point how this will let evolve more in the business life. Then here it come to an MBA role in your life. Please.....Please..... do not write general sentences. Try to be very specific. Mention names, courses, clubs, initiatives...etc . Show the adcom how you know everything about yourself. Think also that you come very competitive pool so you need to differentiate yourself.

Good luck
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Autumn997
MBADecoder

If you wish to stay in consulting, I'd say your first choice should be to get into another project at your firm. That will give you the path of least resistance with regards to the post MBA goal.

If you get into the family biz and wish to mention your goals around it, then I'd say you should work there another year before you apply. I don't know how much your current experience is but that would be a relevant question. Also if you have already been involved in the family business on the side and know about its opportunities and challenges, then it may be easier to sell why you want to come back to it after MBA.

Even for the sake of the application, you should give a goal that you believe in, that comes from the heart, and you can defend during the interview.

Thanks for your response!
I have already tried to change projects but due to the current economic situation, there's not many available. My reasons for quitting were - 1) Not many learning opportunities. 2) The family business is not doing good presently. And since I'm familiar with the processes (I spent my summers there), even if it's only a year, I could really help out.

I will have 4 years of work ex at matriculation (3 years in consulting + 1 year in the family business).

I have decided to frame my goals as - I joined consultancy to learn X. While there, I did Y, but after my family business was hit hard from COVID, I knew my skills could be put to better use. In the next year, ,I'll use my Z expertise learned at (Big 4) to optimize A at the family business and get them through this rough patch. However, I need a holistic business perspective to really understand all the levers you can pull to make a business successful in challenging times. My ST goal will be to return to the family business and grow it to a certain level; in the LT, I'll go on to start my own consultancy where I can help save other struggling businesses.

Does this seem realistic and logical given my experience? My main concern is how the Adcom would view me wanting to start my own company despite working for the family business. Just want to ensure I'm not missing anything.

Thanks!
Show more


while I agree with your reasons to join the family business right now, and consider it a strong story, I am not aligned with your LT goals. After Biz school, you can come back to the family firm or join back consulting- both are reasonable options.
But starting a consultancy in the long term doesn't add up too well. If there is a market need to help struggling businesses now, why would you help them in the long term instead? There would be struggling businesses even then, I agree, but the need you are spotting (COVID) is immediate. It would be more plausible to say you will join a consulting company in the short term and then start your own in the LT as well.

This is my high level analysis. Career goals require a lot more discussion and understanding of the applicant's profile so think more deeply about what's more meaningful for you.