<p>Hi guys, I'm wondering if it's possible to break into IB if someone graduates from a top 10 MBA program assuming one is willing to work hard and network aggressively. I'm wondering about this since my changes of breaking in to IB from non-targets such as Florida schools like UF, UM, FSU even with top grades are weak. Thanks for the input and I just want to put out that I'm very motivated person but know breaking in to IB straight out of U-grad is very competitive and unlikely unless one goes to ivy-league institutions.</p>
<p>MBA Programs I'm looking into consist of:</p>
<p>Wharton
HBS
UCLA
Berkeley
USC
Booth
Ross
Columbia School of Business
NYU
Ect.... you guys get the point.</p>
<p>From what I have read, an MBA is more of a desperation, last chance idea for getting into IB after your undergraduate tenure has lost its luster. It’s not necessarily easier at all, but it gives you another chance. </p>
<p>Make sure you have quality work experience prior to business school. This is not only for the fact that such is a prerequisite for admission, but because no one will hire you with an MBA but no real experience. Moreover, business school is beyond expensive and your prior job will help pay for your graduate education.</p>
<p>Thank you for your input. I’m aware of the importance of work experience prior to applying for an MBA for all the reasons you stated plus from what Ive been told, an individual would not be able to contribute much to a class without knowledge and experience from the real working world. What concerns me though is that from what Ive read, many investment bankers persue the MBA option in order to move up into other roles such as associates, PE, VC, ect. My question is if a top MBA program would help someone break into IBanking at top firms,who haven’t had prior experience in that sector.</p>
<p>Can you break into IB with a top MBA (and corresponding work experience)?</p>
<p>Yes</p>
<p>Should you gun for an MBA as the way to break in?</p>
<p>That’s much more questionable.</p>
<p>Assuming you have top grades from wherever you attend, you should at the very least be able to network and contact a random boutique, start doing internships and trying to line up a job after graduation.</p>
<p>The only reason you wouldn’t be able to do this assuming you have decent grades is if you’re socially awkward in a crippling manner. Additionally, you can then hopefully use the MBA route the way it’s intended to be used by most bankers, As an escape route to something better / A 2-year vacation</p>
<p>Ok…here’s the thing - the majority of the schools you’ve listed will not want you without a solid GPA, good GMAT, strong ECs, strong essays, quality work experience (and not 3 months of internship experience) and positive letters of rec</p>
<p>Therefore, if you do all of that and still want the MBA, go for it - otherwise, pursue regional IB - which you will have a shot at from those schools listed above with a good GPA and networking. </p>
<p>Frankly, if you don’t want to put in the leg work to get into IB now, I don’t know how you’d be able to put in all of the work and time and energy to break into a top MBA program - if you think breaking into IB is competitive, try breaking into a top MBA - it’s definitely not easier. </p>
<p>But to answer your first question, it is definitely much easier to break into IB from a top MBA - but getting into that top MBA is not easier. Make the move and put in the work now. </p>
<p>Much of the advice above is pretty accurate: Getting into a top MBA program might increase your chances (marginally) but it is no guarantee without existing experience, industry contacts, and a lot of networking.</p>
<p>Do you guys really believe that link about “Breaking in” is really that accurate? It makes it seem almost impossible to get into IB no matter how hard you try.</p>
<p>Just network, cold call, cold email, and walk in to their office. I was able to obtain 8 internships offers for this summer and was able to develop several dozen contacts ranging from analysts to C-level executives.</p>
<p>I took the internship at the middle market private equity company, which has $2.5 billion in AUM. Get yourself out there and opportunities will arise. Good luck!</p>
<p>@Pacmanzz: The discussion in that link re-emphasizes what others have already stated here: ‘breaking in’ is more a function of relevant experience/industry contacts than education credentials. The writer claims nothing more; as others here have already replied, an MBA without relevant experience/contacts will not sufficiently increase your chances of breaking in.</p>
<p>(N.B. There are a number of excellent articles on the same subject at that site. Would do anyone here good to read, if only for interest.)</p>