To quit job in lead-up to applying...

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wi11iedigital Just gettin' started!

Joined: 02 Apr 2012

Posted:: 12 messages

																		To quit job in lead-up to applying...
																		 Thu May 03, 2012 9:06 am
									
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While this is a specific question about my situation, it relates to the broader question of the importance of current employment to adcoms.

My basic school and work history: BA in '04, MA in '06, '06 thru '08 employed at consultancy, '08 thru current, employed at different consultancy, applying for Fall '13 admission to MBA programs.

The issue: My current firm (small, industry specific research/consultancy) is on the brink of bankruptcy, and I think there is a >50% chance it will go out of business before the deadlines for fall applications (meaning I'll show as unemployed on my apps or have to commence a serious job search in conjunction with completing my apps).  I'm entertaining applying for 1-year jobs abroad, ideally "serious" positions, but I'd honestly be willing to accept things like teaching English as well.  Working abroad (outside US) is something I've always wanted to do and I have the $$ to be out of the productive workforce for a year.  Will it look bad to adcoms for an applicant's resume to show a current "mickey mouse" job, even if I've got 7 years of serious professional employment?  If so, how bad?  What are some other good options? Americorps improve my chances or look silly at my age (approaching 30)?

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MBAApply Really wants to Beat The GMAT!

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																		 Thu May 03, 2012 9:39 am
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Here's another way to look at it: assuming you won't go to b-school, what would you do?

Given your level of experience, taking a "sabbatical" to do something different won't be as big a concern as say someone with only 2-3 years of full-time experience. And this goes for whether you're applying to b-school or looking to continue on in a career without b-school.

I would avoid the 'teaching English' abroad thing though. There's too much of a negative stigma attached to that (i.e. it's seen as a glorified vacation, and something that anyone can do with minimal qualifications - regardless of whether that is true or not).

If you're going to take a sabbatical for a year, make sure it's doing something meaningful or fulfilling (however you define that) - regardless of your b-school plans. That's how you ensure that the experience is worthwhile for you. It's not just to take time off or to try something different, but have some clear ideas about what you want to get out of the experience before diving in.

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Alex Chu

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wi11iedigital Just gettin' started!

Joined: 02 Apr 2012

Posted:: 12 messages

Thu May 03, 2012 10:27 am

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Thanks a ton for the quick reply! It's a good question per "What would I do otherwise?" I'd likely stay at my current company hoping that it stays afloat until my apps are submitted. If it went under, I'd go on unemployment and frantically look for a similar job to my current just to have something on the resume. Both options are pretty unappealing, but I'm paranoid about the perceptions from committees--I don't want it to look like an extended vacation. Ultimately, something like international business would be an appealing concentration for me, so I guess a real position in something like that capacity could look good.

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MBAApply Really wants to Beat The GMAT!

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																		 Thu May 03, 2012 12:16 pm
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wi11iedigital wrote:Thanks a ton for the quick reply!  It's a good question per "What would I do otherwise?"  I'd likely stay at my current company hoping that it stays afloat until my apps are submitted.  If it went under, I'd go on unemployment and frantically look for a similar job to my current just to have something on the resume.  Both options are pretty unappealing, but I'm paranoid about the perceptions from committees--I don't want it to look like an extended vacation.  Ultimately, something like international business would be an appealing concentration for me, so I guess a real position in something like that capacity could look good.
Resist the temptation to have adcoms (or any gatekeepers) dictate your career/life choices. You may or may not get in no matter what choices you make. Focus on what YOU want to do, on YOUR terms. Sooner or later, you're going to have to do that (it all starts when we're kids: looking to please our parents, then to fit in with kids in school, then your classmates in HS/college, then it's your colleagues, then your partner/spouse, then your in-laws, then your bosses, then future employers, then adcoms, and the list goes on and on...).

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Alex Chu

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Jon@Admissionado MBA Admissions Consultant

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Fri May 04, 2012 12:06 am

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MBAApply wrote:

Resist the temptation to have adcoms (or any gatekeepers) dictate your career/life choices.

Love it! I'm with you 100% on this one Alex.

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