Work Experience

Question

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?!?

ACNguy · Answer

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.

miccarlo · Answer

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?

go2bizSkool · Answer

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.

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.

go2bizSkool · Answer

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".

Jerz · Answer

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.

ksjhawk · Answer

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.

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