Work/Life Balance

Question

I'm not really sure where this post would go, but I wanted to post something that I can't get out of my head.

All of the top schools put at least some, if not a significant amount, emphasis on extracurriculars. Whether that be sports, volunteering, community service, etc. Yet, reading a lot of the posts about consulting or International Business, or even speaking with some recent alumni, many jobs seem to expect 60 hr work weeks after graduation. Working ridiculous hours after graduation seems to be counterproductive for those who are heavily involved in extracurriculars prior to entering their respective MBA programs.

Anyone else worried about getting into the right school, choosing the discipline you like, then working 80 hour work weeks and having zero life after school?

lepium · Answer

There's a right career for each person. For some, time outside of the job is more important than to others. 

The key factor, I think, is dedicating adequate time to finding your own career and deciding which factors are important to you. If you go to a good school, chances are, you will get the type of position you are looking for.

L.

bherronp · Answer

Personally, I won't work 80 hours per week sustained. Sure, sometimes it takes that. I worked a couple of near 80s back to back a month or so ago, but I knew why and I agreed with the effort. But I won't make it my regular schedule, and that is part of the reason why I am not interested in IB or consulting.

Now I dont mind a regular 50 or so hours per week, especially if I can do 10-20 of those hours from home. Will I ever make the huge money that some other MBAs do? Maybe not. But my wife will still like me, and that's worth it to me.

aaudetat · Answer

I refuse to work like that. I was a bit like that in college - my schedule was so packed with stuff, I had the hottest resume around and everyone thought I was some kind of get'er-done-rockstar. My freshman year I was the college French tutor, and I regularly scheduled tutoring sessions at midnight because that's when I could do it. But I realized that other things are more important and slowly wrestled some control back. 

I was reading about one of the major banks in either a vault guide or in wetfeet. A common interview question was something about how you feel about working 100 hours a week. You, of course, are supposed to respond enthusiastically about how great 100 is. I, on the other hand, gave them the one-fingered salute and put the guide back on the shelf.

kryzak · Answer

I'm tempted to go to one of those interviews (assuming I get into b-school) sometime and just go, "Do you really honestly believe anyone who tells you that they love to work 100-hours a week???" and then just walk out

rhyme · Answer

Now that school is underway.... all I can say.... enjoy the free time you have now

kripalkavi · Answer

Ha ha ha! Good for you

kryzak · Answer

rhyme, you'll be ok again when you're in 2nd year... that's what they all say.

mbagal1 · Answer

I will be ok with doing maybe upto 60 hours a week, without regular travel. As a consultant, the last 8 months were crazy for me, with most weeks at 60 hours, sometimes more, and travel and top of that. I'm pretty sure my husband stopped liking me then

But, like lepium says, Im hoping that graduating with an MBA from a good school, can give me a range of options that I can choose from.

emoryhopeful · Answer

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who would get a little angry at the assumption that a new grad should work consistent 80 hour weeks. I agree that the occasional long week is fine, and even a consistent 50 hours is perfectly fine, but there just has to be a balance. I agree that IB and consulting seem to be the long hour jobs and I will also avoid those.

kidderek · Answer

60hrs/wk max

Work/Life Balance

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