Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 04:42 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 04:42
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
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

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
ksjhawk
avatar
Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Last visit: 26 Feb 2011
Posts: 45
Own Kudos:
13
Given Kudos: 2
Posts: 45
Kudos: 13
Work Experience 01 Oct 2009, 21:26
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Top business schools put a strong emphasis on quality work experience, and I want some GMATClubbers' opinions on what quality experience means. Obviously schools are looking for diverse experience, but there have got to be some roles that will consistently stand out to admissions.

I'd like to hear all opinions here, but I'm hoping to hear some ideas I can work with. That said, I've got 16 months experience in corporate finance, so while management experience is great, it will be very tough to obtain before putting in a good number of years with a company. Also, yes, investment banking experience is great, but it's just not realistic for many of us without the right contacts or Ivy undergrads, especially in these times. I think entrepreneurial ventures look awesome on MBA apps, but I'm still searching for that million dollar idea...

All I can come up with is Peace Corps...what do you guys think? There have got to be some attainable roles out there that will wow admissions, right?!?
User avatar
ACNguy
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 02 Jun 2009
Last visit: 09 Sep 2011
Posts: 356
Own Kudos:
56
Given Kudos: 20
Location: Ann Arbor
Concentration: General
Schools:Ross Class of 2012
Posts: 356
Kudos: 56
Work Experience 02 Oct 2009, 06:38
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
ksjhawk
Top business schools put a strong emphasis on quality work experience, and I want some GMATClubbers' opinions on what quality experience means. Obviously schools are looking for diverse experience, but there have got to be some roles that will consistently stand out to admissions.

I'd like to hear all opinions here, but I'm hoping to hear some ideas I can work with. That said, I've got 16 months experience in corporate finance, so while management experience is great, it will be very tough to obtain before putting in a good number of years with a company. Also, yes, investment banking experience is great, but it's just not realistic for many of us without the right contacts or Ivy undergrads, especially in these times. I think entrepreneurial ventures look awesome on MBA apps, but I'm still searching for that million dollar idea...

All I can come up with is Peace Corps...what do you guys think? There have got to be some attainable roles out there that will wow admissions, right?!?
Show more

Work hard at your job you have right now. I know it stinks reading about everyone's profile of saving a 3rd world nation from defautling on loans to the IMF, but trust me, your own story can be compelling enough. Think deep, you may not have a leadership title, but I guarantee there are things at work that make you stand out as a leader? Do you own any processes? Are you looked at as an expert amongst your peers in any one aspect of your job, do you perform any leadership duties outside of work? These are all things that point to good, solid leadership, and honestly make up the core of many FT MBA classes. Very few applicants have VP level responsibilities, or have instituted organizational wide change at their company, but they perform their own tasks to an exceptionally high degree, show POTENTIAL for leadership, and effectively put that into an application. The one thing you can't do is start to think that your work experience doesn't stack up. If you spend a few weeks thinking about it, I guarantee you'll come up with 5-10 examples of how it does stack up.
User avatar
miccarlo
User avatar
Joined: 17 Mar 2007
Last visit: 26 Apr 2010
Posts: 123
Own Kudos:
24
 [1]
Given Kudos: 3
Location: San Francisco, CA
Concentration: Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management
Schools:Haas, Booth, Kellogg, Stanford
Posts: 123
Kudos: 24
 [1]
Work Experience 02 Nov 2009, 21:00
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I think a lot of misconception which occurs with applicants is the stress put on titles, current firm, EC clubs, etc. I think what makes a better, more rounded candidate is someone who does the extraordinary in an ordinary situation. There are PLENTY of applicants coming from a corporate finance background, but what did you do in your job which makes you stand out?
avatar
go2bizSkool
avatar
Joined: 25 Sep 2009
Last visit: 09 Apr 2010
Posts: 96
Own Kudos:
11
Location: USA
Concentration: Tech Entrepreneurship
Schools:HBS, Sloan, Columbia, Stern, Tuck
Posts: 96
Kudos: 11
Work Experience 02 Nov 2009, 21:34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
you should check out YCombinator and TechStars (google). They provide small amounts of funding to startups. You don't need a million dollar idea, you need a 50k idea. you can grow your company from there. its all execution and the team. Of course you would need a tech partner, so hopefully you know a l33t programmer or two. you can apply for those programs while working your normal job. remember, web = low barriers to entry and easy access to customers.

if you got in, it would be an amazing summer experience at the least, which would be great for mba applications next fall, or maybe you will even be a successful entrepreneur and you can skip b-school altogether.
avatar
go2bizSkool
avatar
Joined: 25 Sep 2009
Last visit: 09 Apr 2010
Posts: 96
Own Kudos:
11
Location: USA
Concentration: Tech Entrepreneurship
Schools:HBS, Sloan, Columbia, Stern, Tuck
Posts: 96
Kudos: 11
Work Experience 02 Nov 2009, 21:37
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
PS my instinct is that that type of program/venture will come across as more genuine and interesting than randomly joining the peace corps or something. you can't change who you are; if you haven't done that stuff up to this point, its probably not in your character. but chances are that you are interested in entrepreneurship at least vaguely if you are an mba applicant, so it could be a good fit for your "story".
User avatar
Jerz
User avatar
Joined: 09 Dec 2008
Last visit: 28 Jan 2017
Posts: 1,221
Own Kudos:
254
Given Kudos: 17
Concentration: Health Enterprise Management, Marketing, Strategy, Finance, Analytical Consulting, Economics
Schools:Kellogg Class of 2011
GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V47
Posts: 1,221
Kudos: 254
Work Experience 03 Nov 2009, 06:55
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
miccarlo hit the nail on the head. Yes, there are applicants and students who have started NGOs to save dying children in Africa, or were a Topgun flight instructor, but believe it or not they are the minority. Most of us had ordinary jobs, which we did extraordinarily well. Of course, there are feeder industries and jobs: banking, consulting, etc. - but that's not a necessity either. Excel at your job. Look for other opportunities to get involved and have an impact on your team, your group or your company/EC.
avatar
ksjhawk
avatar
Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Last visit: 26 Feb 2011
Posts: 45
Own Kudos:
13
Given Kudos: 2
Posts: 45
Kudos: 13
Work Experience 03 Nov 2009, 09:22
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Thanks guys. I was laid off, so now I'll be going back to school or searching for a new job. I've already submitted my apps to four schools in the top 15-35, so we'll see how well I told my story about achievement and contributions during my 16 months in corp finance. I've learned a lot from this application process either way. The way I see it, if I'm dinged all around, I'll have an opportunity to build on my work experience and seek out some quality extracurricular activities that might have me applying at top 15 schools next time.