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Work Experience, which type?

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Work Experience, which type?

by mushinkan » Fri Oct 02, 2009 12:41 pm
I am graduating this semester with a 3.36 GPA. My school is ranked around the 80s by the US News for its undergraduate business program. I double majored in Accounting and Finance. My goal is to get into a top MBA proram

Now, assuming I get a high GMAT score (670+) which I would invest alot of time to attain, what kind of work experience would help the most:

I have two options, either to work for a Sovereign Wealth Fun or for PwC on the financial advisory side. I intent to work there for about 2 - 3 years. Many people told me that a Sovereign Wealth Fund work experience would be prestigious, unique, and surely differentiate you from other applicants as admission committees are looking for diversity in backgrounds (what are the odds that there is another international applicant having the same background?). However, others told me that PriceWaterHouseCoopers is very prestigious and highly reputable firm (big 4 in actg), and admission committees still have notions that working for a big consulting firm is the best you can bring to the table along with I-banking.

Please enlighten me and help to choose between those two. Again, my goal is to get into a top MBA. So, which of these to background would help me the most (taking into consideration my undergrad)? Also, what are my admission chances into these programs?

1. University of Chicago
2. Northwestern University
3. UCLA
4. NYU
5. Duke University
6. University of Southern California
7. Boston College

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by Stacey Oyler » Tue Oct 06, 2009 1:03 pm
Hi Mushinkan,

Thanks for your post. It sounds like you have two great job opportunities available to you. Just to clarify, would you have an analyst role at the Sovereign Wealth Fund? What are you reasons for seeking an MBA? Do you know what your short and long term post-MBA goals would be? This might help you identify the right job. Often the job one has prior to obtaining their MBA can serve as a stepping stone to achieving their post MBA goals. Can you share your goals with me?

Thanks,

Stacey
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by mushinkan » Tue Oct 06, 2009 5:48 pm
Hi Stacey,

Thanks for the response. I haven't been out and actually worked to figure out exactly what fits me; however, from what I read and learned, I am so far convinced that my career is tied up to either 1) Investment Management (particularly, Equity Research); or 2) Private Equity (preferably in later stage strategies). Those are the two places that I see myself in, though I haven't decided which one would best suit me.

The thing is that I am fond of Equity. Either public or private companies, not only do I love to formulate strategies (I want the MBA to provide me with as much strategy and competitive strategy courses as possible) to research companies that are worth the investment using a variety of valuation and modeling tools and techniques (I want to learn those skills in the MBA), but also love to design strategies on when and how to invest in them, and then manage the portfolio (of either the private or public companies held). Sounds that it fits both Portfolio Management and Private Equity.

You asked about my role in the SWF, it is going to be in Equity as research analyst (I am not sure what other roles you are thinking about, but the job is not in middle office, and for sure not back office).

I believe that PwC will be great for modeling and valuation skills; the SWF, however, will be great for equity research and securities analysis (assuming that I do Equity research, but I might be assigned for Private Equity since they got a division for that). Since both opportunities will give me different set of skills that are equally helpful in my career goals, which one is going to be more respected and would increase my chances into being admitted by a top MBA programs? What are my chances for the schools I mentioned?

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by Stacey Oyler » Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:04 pm
Hi,

Thanks for the additional information. Again, it sounds like you have two great opportunities to choose from. I think that either will give you a great skill set for the future and for bschool. It sounds to me like you are leaning a bit towards the SWF opportunity and perhaps it might actually tie into your post bschool goals a bit more (at least given your goals as they are now). I think either choice will give you a great start to your career and set you on the path towards attending a solid bschool.

In addition to your job upon graduation, it will be important for you to continue to build upon and participate in extracurricular activities. A solid GMAT score (700+) will be necessary for the schools on your list. It's important to keep in mind that bschools also want to know why you are interested in their programs. Take the time to do your research and visit the schools on your list. This will not only help you finalize the schools you choose to apply, but will also help with the applications by being able to speak to the particulars about a program.

Best,

Stacey
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by mushinkan » Wed Oct 07, 2009 2:47 pm
Hi Stacey,

Thanks for your responses. But since both are equally helpful in my post-MBA career as far as the skills acquired, we know that MBA schools do have this prejudice when its comes to students with less prestigious backgrounds (with exception to maybe throwing in a couple of people who worked for less prestigious places so that they wouldn't be labeled as "prejudice," with exception to Harvard which openly does it), even though you learn at both places. For example, PWC (or Deloitte or any other firm in that league) is obviously far more prestigious and thus favored to some of the boutique and small financial services firms, but what about when you compare it, as far as prestige goes, to an SWF, which is completely another category? Wouldn't you think that the prestige of PWC might be more than the SWF, or is it the other way around?

Again, I greatly appreciate your recommendations.
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by Stacey Oyler » Thu Oct 08, 2009 3:43 pm
Hi,

I think that you may be reading too much into the "prestige" factor. Yes, it is often helpful to work for an organization whose name or "brand" is recognizable by the admissions committee. However much more important is the work that you do for the company or organization.

I encourage you to choose the position that is the right fit for you and then make the most of the experience. Seek out opportunities to become involved, to learn beyond the scope of your role, and to challenge yourself. These opportunities will help your resume shine and will give you great examples for all those essays you'll be writing.

Best,

Stacey
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