<p>Hello. I'm currently a senior in college, set to graduate in May. I was admitted to Harvard Business School as a two year deferred admit meaning I will matriculate in Fall of 2010 for the HBS class of 2012.</p>
<p>My undergraduate major is mechanical engineering and I received a National Defense Science and Engineering Fellowship which will pay for up to three years of engineering school for me.</p>
<p>I was thinking about completing an MS in mechanical at Stanford, beginning this fall. This would take me one year. </p>
<p>I would like to know the effect this would have on me getting a top job after HBS due to the fact that I would have only 1 year of Work Experience at most.</p>
<p>Also, I think I'd like to work the street for a while after HBS but eventually might get back into running an Engineering firm where I feel the MSME would be useful?</p>
<p>Back into running an engineering firm? So, you're running one now?... Just kidding.</p>
<p>Here's my suggestion; don't plan your life more than 5 years out, so many things will happen to you that will change your life by then that your choices may be different and even better.</p>
<p>Also, I think going for a Masters right now is a good idea. I wouldn't always say this, but with the economy the way it is right now you will have many good "excuses" as to why you went for your MS instead of 2 years of work. Additionally, and this is most true for engineering, the type of jobs you can land (even for a year) with an MS are much more atuned to leadership than those you can get with a BS. I would go for the MS, especially since a MS and MBA is much better than a BS and MBA. Also, seeing as MS' in ME are sometimes very practicle I would try and get a co-op based on your project for the year you are getting your Masters. </p>
<p>So, you'll have a Co-op and hopefully 1 full year of leadership experience in the real world, hopefully in a management position as you are head off to HBS. Next, you'll focus on a summer internship after you get your studies under control of course. Get an internship in the field you want to work in; Wall Street, investment banking, whatever. Impress, impress... success!</p>
<p>MSME/Harvard MBA, co-op, 1 year managerial experience, awesome summer internship... I think that's pretty darn hirable (<-is that a word?) especially into a leadership development program at any big name company anywhere... Still that's about 5 years off, so don't worry about that yet.</p>