getting MBA with technical background

Graduate School Business School - MBA
1

<p>majored in engineering at Ivy league school. Currently working in IT for a financial services company. I want to go to B school in a few years. </p>

<p>If I want to get into finance or strat consulting, will this be possible? I have no work experience in that area. How hard will it be to get an internship in that field after my first year of B school? </p>

<p>Is this usually unheard of? What do people in my shoes usually do? What can I get myself into with an MBA and a technical background prior to that.</p>

2

<p>I had a strong IT background, both during college and for 2 years fulltime at a software company before college. I only interviewed for a few tech jobs because I knew I wanted to break out of the IT "stereotype", otherwise i'd ONLY be able to get IT jobs.</p>

<p>I spent September - January last year interviewing at consulting firms, and getting better at them, and eventually got a few offers. But the pitch was, basically,</p>

<p>1) You know I have an analytical frame of mind, i'm a freaking engineer and can kill any test you give me
2) Your company has an IT division, I'm sure my background will contribute something to that
3) I've been freelancing with some IT consulting during college, helping people with websites and such... i've got entrepreneurial skill and the consulting background working with clients and being personable.
4) I have many interests and hobbies beyond sitting around staring at code. (i.e., show them i have personality)
5) I pick up new technical and abstract concepts really fast, so any new knowledge you expect me to have, I can learn in a very brief time.</p>

<p>That was, essentially, my pitch, and it worked, because nobody coming out of college has a "business background" unless you went to Wharton. Do strategy consulting for a few years and you can practically walk into most B-schools. But avoid being typecast as a "techie". Maybe get some certifications or something.</p>

<p>-Steve</p>

3

<p>i know this is old but why in the world would you want to avoid being typcast as the techie? Isn’t this just the sort of label you want? When it cocmes to finance and computers I’m the go-to guy, ya know?</p>

4

<p>mba programs are recruiting business leaders, not engineering gurus. thus any technical background is a liability, not an asset. </p>

<p>the stereotype is that they are too focused on the small picture, and are more implementers than leaders. </p>

<p>if you want to get into a top mba, you will have to show that you are not “the typical engineer” and have great leadership and whatnot.</p>