How to get experience necessary for MBA

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I am an undergrad sophomore at Emory joint-majoring in Economics and Math, and I will be graduating a year early. My lofty goal is to point the future of the automotive industry by eventually getting into upper management (a bad time, I know, but I wish I had Rick Wagoner's recently relinquished job). I am unsure of the path I must take to get there. My choices seem to be:</p>

<p>1) Do dual-degree engineering program at Georgia Tech in Mechanical Engineering. Gain work experience in engineering at a car manufacturer, and then get MBA and transition to management.</p>

<p>2) Go straight to MBA school after next year at Emory.</p>

<p>3) Get a few years work experience in business, then go to MBA school.</p>

<p>The first path requires two additional years of more strenuous undergrad education. However, I want to learn how things (particularly cars) work. Furthermore, this seems to be the way things work in the industry.</p>

<p>The second is the most direct; however, I've heard it's ridiculously hard to get into a top MBA program without work experience.</p>

<p>The third is also direct, and getting into a great MBA school is more viable. But how do I get a good job in business without a BBA?</p>

<p>Comments on these paths? Suggestions in general? Much appreciated.</p>

<p>I would try to pick up some education in automotive engineering (maybe econ major and 2 minors), get a job in development or something similar in the auto industry for 3-5 years and then get a top MBA. The kind of MBA you will get going straight from undergrad will not be worth nearly as much.</p>

<p>If you can keep grades high, get a high GMAT, good work experience and then a top 15 MBA, you would be very well positioned to be on a very fast track to the top at an automaker.</p>

<p>Thanks so much for the reply. Emory doesn’t offer engineering, so it’s Georgia Tech or nothing. Should I go for it?</p>

<ol>
<li>Seems possible if your up to it. </li>
<li>Very difficult to do </li>
<li>Is the best route</li>
</ol>