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Unless you picked up this book at the airport for a long trip to Fiji, it‟s a safe bet you are interested in
and/or already have an MBA as such. This is the perfect time for you to define, plan, and execute your
end game. But just what do we mean by the “end game”? The end game is not a singular, unique, and
magical final event; rather, it is a series of interconnected objectives that lead toward an end goal or
goals.
For example, thinking about your future led you to your initial end game—exploring MBA
programs. That effort in turn led you to another series of end games: taking the GMAT test,
researching programs, completing applications, preparing for admissions interviews, and ultimately
enrolling. Were these actions individual end games or a series of interconnected steps leading to a true
end game? Now is when you define and take specific steps to reach your ultimate end game—
employment.
For those who recognize that the ultimate end game is satisfying and rewarding, employment, this
section is a must-read. It is intended to provide insight, overview, direction, and encouragement. We
review career choices in finance popular among MBA graduates. In addition, we provide some triedand-true
strategies as well as “the road less traveled” advice. This chapter will complement your MBA
program, hard work, and skills development, and assist you in attaining a satisfying and rewarding
career.
Overview: What Is the Marketplace for MBAs?
Students choose to earn an MBA for different reasons. Some students simply want to round out their
business skills, some are looking to advance in their current career/ industry, some are sponsored by
their companies and plan to return following completion of the degree, some hope to start a business,
and some are hoping to change their career trajectory. In all of these cases, it is important for the
students to begin to think about their careers prior to the start of the program. With this preprogram
planning, students can identify the schools that will provide them with the right skills, network, and
business connections to reach their goals following completion of the degree.
When considering the application process, prospective students should consider several factors as
they compare business schools. Students look at size, location, strength of the alumni network,
reputation, ranking, and specialty. Students interested in specializing in a specific discipline, such as
finance or marketing, are best suited to consider schools with a reputation for placing students in these
areas. Other schools are known for producing general managers. U.S. News & World Report is one
well-known resource for reviewing rankings and can be found at http://gradschools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/mba/search.
Profile of Students’ Pre-MBA Careers
It is also important to consider the pre-MBA industries and job functions ass well as the career
functions and industries chosen upon graduation. In 2008, the Graduate Management Admission
Council (GMAC) conducted its ninth annual survey of MBA graduates. There were 2,858 full-time
MBA students who participated in the survey, approximately 41% of whom were non-U.S. citizens.