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According to the results of the survey, approximately 29% of pre-MBA students enter the program<br />

from the products and services industry and 18% enter from the finance/accounting industry. Although<br />

these two industries represent the two largest pre-MBA industries, pre-MBA students enter programs<br />

with experience across diverse industries and backgrounds. The most popular job functions upon entry<br />

into the MBA program include marketing/sales at 21% of the students and finance/accounting a close<br />

second with 20% of the entrants. Regardless of where students begin, there are a variety of industries<br />

and job functions where they launch their post-MBA careers.<br />

Profile of Students’ Post-MBA Careers<br />

Post-MBA, students choose to enter various industries and job functions, often changing careers as a<br />

result of the MBA program. According to the GMAC survey, the number of students choosing the<br />

finance/accounting industry increased from 18% pre-MBA to 28% post-MBA. In fact, the<br />

finance/accounting industry represented the largest percentage of post-MBA students at 28%.<br />

Products/services represented 25% post-MBA versus 29% pre-MBA, followed by consulting (18%<br />

post-MBA versus 10% pre-MBA). MBA graduates choosing finance/accounting as a job function<br />

post-MBA also represented the largest group of respondents, 33%, followed by marketing/sales and<br />

consulting at 21% and 20%, respectively.Exhibit 21.1 presents two tables from the 2008 GMAC<br />

survey that represent the pre- and post-MBA job functions and industries.<br />

It is important to note that the largest percentage of students post-MBA chose the<br />

finance/accounting industry and job function. The MBA degree is preferred, if not required, for many<br />

careers in this space. The next section focuses on career opportunities that are most popular with MBA<br />

graduates in finance and the financial services industry. Following this overview, we talk about how to<br />

plan your career before, during, and after your MBA to achieve the largest return on investment<br />

(ROI).<br />

Career Opportunities in Finance<br />

When considering a career in finance, there is an important question to ask: Do I want to perform a<br />

corporate finance job function, or do I want to work in the financial services industry? Corporate<br />

finance is the finance functional role within an existing company in any industry. Financial services,<br />

in contrast, is a broad term for the industry that includes highly diverse and evolving segments,<br />

markets, functions, and companies.<br />

Careers in Corporate Finance<br />

Graduates who enter into a career in corporate finance may find themselves in any industry; consumer<br />

products and services, health care, technology, and retail are some of the many industries. Finance<br />

managers and business analysts are two typical titles that MBA graduates secure in corporate finance.

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