How Marketable Will I Be

Discussion in 'Business and MBA degrees' started by shawn488, May 29, 2012.

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  1. shawn488

    shawn488 New Member

    I am currently active duty military and 39 credits away from completing my Bachelor's degree in BA from UMUC. I have been surprisingly satisfied with the program. I am looking for others with an MBA to give some type of insight into how marketable I will be once I complete all of the education I plan to get.

    After my BA is complete I plan on enrolling in either Penn State or UNC to complete my MBA. I still have another 4 years in the Army so I should be done just before I get out. I have been in 6 yrs and am a E-5. I will have a total of 10 yrs in when I do ETS. I currently work for the Whitehouse Communications Agency. I also own a small investment firm that has been midly successful up until this point. I have an interest in private investment banking. I would like to hear from someone based on the info I have listed here do I have a fairly good chance of landing a good job in the field or what do I need to do to stregthen my resume.
     
  2. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    People I've talked to in the private investment banking world tell me it is just as important who you know, rather than what you know. I would look at the companies you would want to work for, and see where they do their recruiting from. You will start to see a pattern of which schools they go for. Then I would do an on-campus program at one of those schools, rather than a DL one.
     
  3. shawn488

    shawn488 New Member

    Going on campus really isnt an option for me as I said I am active duty military. Also, I want to be completly done with college by the time I get out so I am taking advantage of the time I have now.
     
  4. dwilson1979

    dwilson1979 New Member

    I am also unable to go on campus and in the military so I feel your pain. I was looking at the UNC program and it is 90K and Penn State is the World campus and not the actually business school there... what about Northeastern? As a disclaimer I am currently a student there but I like the program thus far even though it is a little expensive. How do you have time to run a small investment firm and work in the military?
     
  5. mcjon77

    mcjon77 Member

    Have you checked out wallstreetoasis.com? There forum is great for folks looking to get into the finance world.
     
  6. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    You're going to face an uphill battle getting into I-banking, pe or vc without an MBA from a top-20 full-time program. Not saying it can't be done, but it will be a struggle. Between the two programs you mentioned I'd go with Kenan-Flagler. PSU's online program isn't thought their College Park campus b-school.
     
  7. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    I agree. I currently work with several former investment bankers, it's who you know, not what you know. You really need an on campus program, you need to network your butt off, you need to be in a top business school with strong alumni representation in the industry and you may even need to intern as a graduate student.
     
  8. edwardlynch

    edwardlynch New Member

    I agree with that because a high reputatuion school can also give good backgrounds
     
  9. Scot

    Scot New Member

    Not so sure

    Forgive me for disagreeing, but this fellow will have some background already. I am guessing he is retiring young from the U.S. Army, and will have his master's degree by the time he does retire if all things go well. He already has some background in financial services since he has owned his own investment firm no matter how large or small.

    My cousin has a BA in philosophy and still had a career on wall street, and now is a 50% partner of a hedgefund in connecticut.

    The Sargent's only problem is going to get that "first" job, and I think with his investment firm as some background, it will be less difficult than it would be for a new graduate with no experience.

    I have no degree (not even a bach) yet, however I am still commanding $135,000 per year as an IT project and program manager. I am enrolled in school again to finish the degree I started over 20 years ago, and then continue and get my Mba:pM mainly so I have a shot at senior executive positions.

    Descrimination has been a problem for me without a degree, but not a show stopper...and I think this fellow will have no problem with his diverse background along with his education whether it's ivy league or not.

    Just my opinion.
     
  10. friendorfoe

    friendorfoe Active Member

    Scot, I am not discounting the OP's possibility of success. I am simply stating that in the investment banking (or hedge fund management) industry it is very much a "good old boys" club. Why do you think so many politician's kids (Chelsea Clinton), former politicians and politically connected people end up there? Also "old money" tends to run in very exclusive circles to include those who handle that money for them. Can someone break into the industry? Sure, would I work and plan on it coming from the outside? Maybe, if that were my dream of dreams to do so. Is there an easier way to earn wealth? More than likely because this would be an up hill battle.
     
  11. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    That wallstreetoasis site is eye opening. There really is a difference isn't there? Once again wishing and hoping can only get you so far. Entertainig read that is for sure. OP, good luck!
     
  12. dl_mba

    dl_mba Member

    I agree with friendorfoe.
     
  13. mcjon77

    mcjon77 Member

    Yeah, those guys are operating on a completely different level. The level of focus some of the college students on that board have is crazy. You have college Freshman that are already networking to get a great internship, that will lead them into a solid position with an investment bank 3 years later, which will make them a more appealing candidate for Harvard Business School 4 years after that, which will.... and so on. At that age the only thing I was concerned about was passing my classes and hooking up with cute exchange students (not always in that order).
     

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