NEED ADVICE: Career Change to Finance and Applying for MBA

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Hello All,

I'm a 2006 Berkeley Graduate in Architecture working as an Architect ever since. I'm determined to make a career change to Finance and I'm applying for MBA (term starting fall 2013). Besides my MBA application activities (essays, volunteers, etc) I have a year and a half before my projected MBA program starts to prepare and transition myself to a career in finance. I'm faced with two scenarios and I would love to hear your advice, comments, and suggestions:

1. First intern in I-banking (most likely at boutique / mid-market bank) then leverage the experience to land a entry I-banking job at a boutique / mid-market bank. Work there until going to MBA. I think having such experience will be almost necessary for me to land a finance position post MBA. However I wonder if it's advisable to switch job right before applying to MBA.

2. Stay where I am (no exposure to real finance) and hope a stellar MBA application will get me into a top program. I'm concerned that my lack of fiance experience will significantly limit my options post MBA.

Any thoughts on the subject matter is great appreciated! Thank you
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by Jon@Admissionado » Sun Mar 25, 2012 10:09 pm
Well, there is no reason whatsoever why you should not be able to apply with an architect background. We have had a few people do so and get accepted. However you certainly are right that if you want that finance job post MBA having done work before in Finance will help. So if you DO get an offer, go for it. Otherwise, you can try making your switch during your MBA internship between 1st and second year, but the competition might be just as stiff, after all many of your classmates will have that initial finance experience, so you are gonna have to give your potential employer reasons for taking you instead of them.
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by haoliu119 » Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:55 am
Jon, thank you for your reply. Your point on the MBA internship makes perfect sense and further convinces me to pursue that pre-MBA finance internship. I see you are a Harvard MBA. Harvard is my top choice and I'm seriously considering hiring an application consultant. I was wondering if you are available to do an initial profile evaluation for me. I can email you my profile. Thank you!

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by Jon@Admissionado » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:46 pm
But of course, dude!
And with pleasure. Just fill this out here and mention that you posted on BTG:
https://www.precisionessay.com/services/ ... sultation/
"Hands down the best MBA admissions consulting firm of all-time, and boy, what an incredible founder!" -- Raj Patil, Founder of Admissionado

Something for everyone:
https://admissionado.lpages.co/admissio ... nter-2018/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/50-essay ... ked-vol-4/
https://admissionado.lpages.co/case-studies-lp/
https://admissionado.com/mba/reviews/
https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Admis ... 700945.htm

Reach out, and let's gab. Our only requirement is that you don't prefer warm milk over cold milk. Everyone else, 100% welcome.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 866-409-4753
Hit us up on WhatsApp.
Ping our satellite: 0884#&@-2#101101
Contact us via web form you lazy git: https://admissionado.com/contact/
Mostly, email Claudia.