Power of top MBA and Question about Applicant Pools

[ent2gs]

Hello:

This is a fantastic forum, with some great advice. I had a couple of questions regarding my own background, that I would very much like clarified.

1. I have an engineering background, educated to MS level, with the MS from a top US university. I have 3.5 yrs work experience in engineering at a reputed company, but have come to become bored, disillusioned, and turning into a Marxist. Like many, the MBA can provide a career shift.

I would like to get into Sales & Trading. The problem is, I have no finance experience at all, and I have not even taken a single finance or economics course in college or grad school. My first 3 yrs on the job were very technical, but a few months ago I transitioned to a more customer facing role (not sure if it matters). I have a 3.9 equivalent from undergrad, 3.8 in MS, and a 770 GMAT (perfect quant score).

I know sales and trading is a common post MBA job, but probably many of those people were in financial services preMBA also.

My extracurriculars aren't really strong enough for HSW, and I'm 28 anyway. So would it be possible with an MBA from Stern, Columbia, Sloan, Chicago, etc. to get into sales and trading? If so, what are some things I need to focus on while in business school?
Would taking finance/econ courses help in admissions?


2. Although I am an Indian citizen, I now have a US Greencard. Will I go into the Indian pool, or not?

Thank you for reading! Everyone is welcome to respond.

[Bryant@VeritasPrep]

I can't answer the greencard question, but in my experience on a top 5 adcom, there was not an "indian pile," so I wouldn't worry about it. As for your questions about sales/trading career, you are an ideal candidate and are targeting some good schools for a crack at a bulge bracket bank job in sales/trading. Believe it or not, they actually like taking MBAs that have no prior training or experience in trading. I would read up on some of the popular books about the field--there are plenty. Your GMAT will really help, as you will encounter a rather ego-enhanced bunch when interviewing for the job....lots of bravado and chest beating, so to the extent you have done some extreme things in your life, the better you will do to tout them. I worked for Goldman Sachs after b-school and had not one moment of finance in my prior career. You must pursue the banks from the get-go...attend all the presentations and dinners, etc. and get to know the reps who come to campus. Research which firms like which schools (lots of Columbia grads at Goldman for example), particularly in your area of interest, and target those schools. Certainly all the NY schools (and Chigago are all good choices. You should have a really good chance if you are determined. Good luck.

[ent2gs]

Hello:

Thank you very much for your response!

Taking two years off and spending >100k for an MBA is a bit of risk, and I wanted to know if my goals were realistic, or would I be forced back into engineering anyway. Sounds like an MBA might be the correct next step, and I'm hoping to apply this fall.

Out of curiosity, were you working in investment banking, or sales and trading at GS?

Thanks again!

[Bryant@VeritasPrep]

Actually I was in the Investment Management Division, but had friends that did trading--the MBA is definitely a good punch ticket to the opportunity, but I will warn you that it takes "the Right Stuff" to make it as a trader...if you love playing poker and have and iron gut, you may be just the guy. The joke is when asked how they pick a trader, the big banks say, "we hire 20 and see which one of them makes it." Good thing about an MBA is that it truly stays with you for life, so if you find yourself in a down economy one day, you will have an advantage over others without the MBA looking for work (usually). Good luck.