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Is 38 too old an age to switch careers (by doing an MBA)

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Is 38 too old an age to switch careers (by doing an MBA)

by hkurada » Wed May 14, 2014 10:25 pm
Hello!

I have been very happy with my job in software engineering until recently when I started feeling the need to do something different. Over the last few months, my interest to pursue a career in finance has grown by leaps and bounds and now, I can't think of much else but do something to make my dream a reality. I have had a strong professional experience and people I work with appreciate/vouch for my sincerity and dedication for my job. Now, is it too late for people like me to pursue their dreams? I understand that my admission into a top business school depends on a lot of things but will someone look at my age and deny my application outright? Also, if I did get into a school, will I have a tough time getting a job (Again, I know it depends on my credibility and all but let's say I did well in school)?

I am not really interested in an eMBA as what I really want is to do something different from my current job. What are my chances/options?

Thanks in advance for your time and advice!
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by mcbMcK » Fri May 16, 2014 10:23 am
hkurada wrote:Hello!

I have been very happy with my job in software engineering until recently when I started feeling the need to do something different. Over the last few months, my interest to pursue a career in finance has grown by leaps and bounds and now, I can't think of much else but do something to make my dream a reality. I have had a strong professional experience and people I work with appreciate/vouch for my sincerity and dedication for my job. Now, is it too late for people like me to pursue their dreams? I understand that my admission into a top business school depends on a lot of things but will someone look at my age and deny my application outright? Also, if I did get into a school, will I have a tough time getting a job (Again, I know it depends on my credibility and all but let's say I did well in school)?

I am not really interested in an eMBA as what I really want is to do something different from my current job. What are my chances/options?

Thanks in advance for your time and advice!

Dear Hkurada,

Though you seem driven by the passion to do an MBA, I would suggest to think of widening your options. Read here and also check out Sameer's book here to develop a better perspective on this area.

Cheers,
MG (Manish Gupta)|The MBA Crystal Ball Team

Website: https://www.mbacrystalball.com
Email: mcb at mbacrystalball dot com
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by hkurada » Sat May 17, 2014 12:25 am
Hi Manish! Thank you for your reply. I have to respectfully disagree that what I am facing isn't a mid-life crisis. I understand my age certainly is a factor for you to jump to conclusions right away. Guess, what I face is an uphill battle to convince anyone of my genuine interest. My reason for wanting a career change isn't that I am frustrated in my current job. In fact, the opposite is true. But my passion for finance grew over the last few years. Want to see if I can make my living doing something I have only been doing in my own time! That said, I do understand where you are coming from and I appreciate your honesty. But that doesn't really answer my original question - how my application will be perceived as...both by bschools and recruiting companies.

Thanks!
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by mcbMcK » Sun May 18, 2014 5:31 am
hkurada wrote:Hi Manish! Thank you for your reply. I have to respectfully disagree that what I am facing isn't a mid-life crisis. I understand my age certainly is a factor for you to jump to conclusions right away. Guess, what I face is an uphill battle to convince anyone of my genuine interest. My reason for wanting a career change isn't that I am frustrated in my current job. In fact, the opposite is true. But my passion for finance grew over the last few years. Want to see if I can make my living doing something I have only been doing in my own time! That said, I do understand where you are coming from and I appreciate your honesty. But that doesn't really answer my original question - how my application will be perceived as...both by bschools and recruiting companies.

Thanks!

Dear Hkurada,

Absolutely agree that the word crisis may be a bit drastic - but that was intended to give you a different line of thought.

Beyond 30, the frequency of candidates decreases but it still exists. Read here for more on this. The main area you should be able to convincingly address is why the change and what have you done to prepare yourself (at this age/experience) for the seemingly drastic switch. If you can do that, you could still be amongst the rare ones who stake a claim at a seat.

Cheers,
MG (Manish Gupta)|The MBA Crystal Ball Team

Website: https://www.mbacrystalball.com
Email: mcb at mbacrystalball dot com
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by Jon@Admissionado » Mon May 19, 2014 10:04 am
hkurada wrote:Hello!

I have been very happy with my job in software engineering until recently when I started feeling the need to do something different. Over the last few months, my interest to pursue a career in finance has grown by leaps and bounds and now, I can't think of much else but do something to make my dream a reality. I have had a strong professional experience and people I work with appreciate/vouch for my sincerity and dedication for my job. Now, is it too late for people like me to pursue their dreams? I understand that my admission into a top business school depends on a lot of things but will someone look at my age and deny my application outright? Also, if I did get into a school, will I have a tough time getting a job (Again, I know it depends on my credibility and all but let's say I did well in school)?

I am not really interested in an eMBA as what I really want is to do something different from my current job. What are my chances/options?

Thanks in advance for your time and advice!
A regular MBA likely won't fly. You are probably a weee bit too old for that. Now there are some more "full time" EMBA programs, although you said you aren't interested. You might find an masters in finance that fits you (especially in Europe) and otherwise you might want to look into non-degree professional training. The change might not be that easy though...

Hope this helps,
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by MBAPrepAdvantage » Fri May 23, 2014 10:07 am
Can you present some of your experience as transferable to a new career? To new employers, you would want to show some aspect of your existing experience as transferable.

To full-time programs it will be more difficult to gain acceptance as an older applicant but not impossible.

Without knowing more of your profile it is difficult to offer guidance.

Good luck,
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