Pre-MBA Work Experience Dilemma

[PCSur]

I just returned from 2 years of Peace Corps service and am thinking I will work for 3 years or so (equity research or possibly consulting) and then go back to school for an MBA, assuming that is the best career move at that point. I know the Peace Corps route is not traditional, but it was a personal goal so bear with me.

My dilemma is that I have a 6-8 month period before I know where I am going to be living for the next 2 yrs (girlfriend grad school situation- could be staying in the same place but also could be moving). I am worried that if I get a job and then bail on them after a year, it is going to look bad for MBA, future employers, and generally just burn bridges.

Does anyone have any advice on whether it would be best to:
1. Look for a job in my target areas and potentially leave the firm after one year.
2. Try and find a good short-term job, plus study for the CFA (boost my resume), and wait until I know where I am going to be living.

If the short-term job option is best- any ideas on what would go the furthest to improve my resume during this period? Thanks is advance for any advice.

[essaysnark]

Hi PCSur,

Great questions! Lots of variables to work with! Fun!

First of all - Peace Corps experience is often seen VERY favorably by the bschool adcoms (and by future employers too). When the time comes for your MBA apps, this will help you stand out. Some people might even suggest you consider applying for bschool NOW -- certain schools (Harvard in particular) often prefer younger candidates, and 2 years of Peace Corps experience is more than enough to qualify you for a variety of top programs (depending of course on the other elements of your profile like GMAT score which you may not have yet and undergrad GPA which is hopefully good). On the flip side, some schools (mostly Harvard) may be less open to admitting someone with 5+ years of work experience, so you should start to think about which schools you'd want to go to now, as part of your overall strategy for the next few years.

On projecting out to what your resume will be looking like based on the circumstances with possibly moving to follow your girlfriend, here are our reactions:

1. As long as you have a rational and logical explanation for a disjointed resume, the bschool adcoms should be fine with it. You'd need to be able to explain any short-term jobs etc with good reasons.

2. Gaps on the resume also need to be explained. In our experience, it's easier to explain a short-term job than a gap. A gap makes it look like you weren't employable (or weren't trying), both of which could raise questions. Taking even a short-term or temporary job now, while you wait to learn your fate on where your GF will be going to school, looks better (in our opinion) than just sitting around.

3. Staying at a job for just a year doesn't seem like a huge red flag. Quitting a job after just six months does seem pretty lame and the employer would probably be PO'ed at upi (and we wouldn't blame them), particularly if you knew in advance it might happen. One approach might be to be upfront and honest when you're interviewing with potential employers. You probably wouldn't volunteer this little tidbit in the very first conversation, but if you brought it up after the first interview, when they've decided they like you but before you commit, that would be noble and fair. It would need to be handled carefully of course (obviously).

When considering what type of job to go for -- if you really think that a top bschool is in your future -- you should evaluate how that job will prepare you for your next step. So, if you know you want to go into equity research, you should look at what skills you'll need for that and start to fill them in now. You're clearly doing that already with your interest in the CFA, which is great. Evaluate any potential jobs through the lens of, how will this prepare me for my goals? Maybe you'll get experience as a team leader. Maybe you'll get to deal with clients directly. It doesn't have to be in your target industry to give you relevant experience. You'll want to be able to explain to the bschool adcom your rationale behind each choice, so giving some thought to that BEFORE you actually make the choice can help a lot.

You're asking the right questions. Let us know if we can offer more input into your situation.

Best regards,
EssaySnark