Question - How To Set Myself Apart With Work Experience!?

Graduate School Business School - MBA
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am about to graduate from an excellent academic institution as a History major with a 3.3 g.p.a. I want to get into a top 10 b-school, so I am really going to have to set myself apart with work experience (and maybe even a masters). So...I was looking for some advice on how I might do that. </p>

<p>Obviously, I'm going to work very hard and impress my employer wherever I go, show leadership qualities, etc...and that's not going to be a problem for me. But not being an economics/business/marketing/etc. major, I'm going to have trouble getting the sort of job that would lead to acceptance into a top mba school. </p>

<p>I was thinking about joining the peace corps for a couple of years, I've heard that some b-schools really like to see that. I was thinking about trying to work for a couple of years in the south pacific...I've heard that international experience of that sort is in high demand right now.</p>

<p>Basically, I am just trying to set myself apart from the typical applicant...the guy that's a got a 3.75 gpa in economics/business, that gets a great job at an investment bank in new york/chicago/san francisco after school...etc.</p>

2

<p>I think adding an international aspect would be a nice to have.</p>

<p>Also, you could start something of your own, that would should initiative and an entrepreneurial spirit, which is always good.</p>

<p>Or, you could network like mad and get yourself into leadership positions within your city council or the like.</p>

3

<p>is it true that the peace corps/teach for america are almost a sure way to get in?</p>

4

<p>No, an MBA is a purely professional degree, they’re not looking for “awesome EC’s” they want work experience demonstrating ambition and drive with a clear direction and goal in mind, for top MBA programs that is.</p>

<p>The key to doing so is getting a job in a field of particular interest to you and excel at it. If you think joining the Peace Corp for 18 months or volunteering for Teach for America will help you launch a career and you don’t think you can find a better option than do it, but don’t think anyone hands you a gold ticket to a top MBA program as a result.</p>