Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Apr 2511:00 AM EDT
-01:00 PM EDT
Looking to secure a coveted spot at a top business school? Our team of seasoned MBA admissions consultants, including top B schools alumni and industry leaders, is here to help turn your dreams into reality. Let’s kick-start your journey to success!
Apr 2908:00 PM EDT
-09:00 PM EDT
Join us for a live Ask Me Anything (AMA) session with Juno’s Co-Founder, where we’ll break down everything you need to know about financing your MBA in today’s rapidly changing landscape.
Apr 3010:00 AM EDT
-11:00 AM EDT
Applying to business school from a finance background? Personal MBA Coach is here to help with this quick tips video on how to set yourself apart during the MBA application process!
Apr 3010:00 AM EDT
-10:30 AM EDT
Sia Admissions Founder Susan Berishaj will walk through why reach/target/safety produces the wrong list for many specific profiles, how admissions committees at different programs read the same background differently, and more...
Apr 3012:00 PM EDT
-01:00 PM EDT
Starting at $975 and offering up to $545 of savings, our new Amplify Hourly Packages offer structure and support in certain high-value areas (story development, resume, essays, interviewing) to help get your applications across the finish line.
Apr 3009:00 PM IST
-10:00 PM IST
Thinking about PE/VC? Most consultants are. Few actually make it. Learn how to position your profile, build the right skills, and break into Private Equity & Venture Capital.
May 0108:30 AM EDT
-09:15 AM EDT
Get the inside scoop on what makes Emory’s Goizueta Business School great, learn how you can present a strong MBA application, and connect with an Admissions Director to get your questions answered.
May 0108:00 PM PDT
-09:00 PM PDT
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
28 Apr 2010, 13:13
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi Alex. I'm going to try to keep this from being a typical "is this good work experience for b-school?" question.
My question is: regarding work experience, will business schools consider more of what you did at your job and your progression in your position if it's not at a real blue-chip Fortune 100 company?
I'm a recent college grad who is about to start a position with the Department of Defense as a Contract Specialist - basically doing market research, analysis and contract negotiations with defense contractors. I've already accepted the position and I think it's going to be a great job that will teach me a lot, but I was just curious how this may be seen in business school's eyes since it's not in the private sector. The actual work that I'll be doing seems to match up with a lot of others' work experience in substance. It's a formal training program and I'll earn professional certifications during the first two years, if that makes a difference.
Note: I'm not planning on applying to business school for probably another 4 or 5 years, my GPA isn't stellar (3.05) so I figure having solid work experience under my belt will make me more competitive. I was thinking of schools in the range of Darden, Fuqua, Cornell, etc. (this is assuming that I can get a 700+ GMAT and good recommendations and essays, which I'm confident I can); I'm not aiming to get into Stanford or Harvard or anything. And again, I'm not planning on changing my career just to "look better" to admission committees, I'm just curious if a top 15/20 business school is something that I could be competitive at in a few years.
Thanks a lot for your advice.
EDIT: After reading it, it looks like a pretty standard "is this good work experience" question. Oh well.
My question is: regarding work experience, will business schools consider more of what you did at your job and your progression in your position if it's not at a real blue-chip Fortune 100 company?
I'm a recent college grad who is about to start a position with the Department of Defense as a Contract Specialist - basically doing market research, analysis and contract negotiations with defense contractors. I've already accepted the position and I think it's going to be a great job that will teach me a lot, but I was just curious how this may be seen in business school's eyes since it's not in the private sector. The actual work that I'll be doing seems to match up with a lot of others' work experience in substance. It's a formal training program and I'll earn professional certifications during the first two years, if that makes a difference.
Note: I'm not planning on applying to business school for probably another 4 or 5 years, my GPA isn't stellar (3.05) so I figure having solid work experience under my belt will make me more competitive. I was thinking of schools in the range of Darden, Fuqua, Cornell, etc. (this is assuming that I can get a 700+ GMAT and good recommendations and essays, which I'm confident I can); I'm not aiming to get into Stanford or Harvard or anything. And again, I'm not planning on changing my career just to "look better" to admission committees, I'm just curious if a top 15/20 business school is something that I could be competitive at in a few years.
Thanks a lot for your advice.
EDIT: After reading it, it looks like a pretty standard "is this good work experience" question. Oh well.
28 Apr 2010, 15:01
Kudos
Bookmarks
"Quality of work experience" is a subjective thing - whether you're dealing with a recruiter, family member, friend, coworker, or MBA adcom.
Put it this way. Your work experience in defense/aerospace certainly isn't unfamiliar to any adcom -- there's always a handful of folks each year who come from the same or similar industry as you at any of the top b-schools. In your case, it really comes down to how successful you are at conveying what you've learned on the job and how that will help you in the future post-MBA (in whatever career you're going after).
In practical terms, it's not something to really worry about. If the job is interesting to you, you're learning a lot, and you enjoy the people you work with - you'll be just fine. So long as your GMAT score is within range (by the time you apply, shoot for 700 or greater) and you have decent work experience (no matter what industry it is), it really comes down to how well you execute the applications (i.e. do you come across as a dynamic individual).
Put it this way. Your work experience in defense/aerospace certainly isn't unfamiliar to any adcom -- there's always a handful of folks each year who come from the same or similar industry as you at any of the top b-schools. In your case, it really comes down to how successful you are at conveying what you've learned on the job and how that will help you in the future post-MBA (in whatever career you're going after).
In practical terms, it's not something to really worry about. If the job is interesting to you, you're learning a lot, and you enjoy the people you work with - you'll be just fine. So long as your GMAT score is within range (by the time you apply, shoot for 700 or greater) and you have decent work experience (no matter what industry it is), it really comes down to how well you execute the applications (i.e. do you come across as a dynamic individual).
