I recently received two very different job offers and am carefully weighing out both options. I am having a difficult time deciding and want to take the offer that would best position me for candidacy for top MBA programs and also for my career goal of being a strategy consultant.
I am also seriously considering applying to MBA programs for round 2 of this year, but am concerned that my application package might be hastily put together and therefore unsatisfactory. I feel a sense of urgency to apply to grad schools soon because of my age. I am 30.
The two offers and a few explanatory bullet points are as follows...
Allstate Leadership Development Program
-Participants will have 3 x 1-year robust rotational assignments
-Assignments will align to core business functions (e.g., sales, claims, marketing, product and service/call centers)
-Assignments will involve people management and project management, as well as strategic initiatives
-Participants will participate in "shadow experiences" designed to expose them to parts of the business they will not rotate through
-Participants will be assigned a mentor
McGladrey Risk Advisory Consultant
-will work with various sized businesses in diverse industries and receive hands-on client experience with direct access to business owners
-Working on numerous team engagements per year, you will work on several pieces of any particular assignment
-Provides value added risk assessment services to a variety of clientele
-Examples of projects include internal audits, compliance work and SOX projects
-Traveling to client locations as requested to provide consulting services
With the Allstate offer I am attracted to the strong access to senior executives, the in depth knowledge of the insurance industry that I would acquire and the selective "fast-track" to leadership roles. A concern of mine is that the rotations will give me a strong understanding of several areas and the company overall, but not a keen understanding of any specific after 3 years.
With the McGladry offer I am attracted to the client facing role and exposure to a broad range of clients businesses and executives. I am a little bit deterred because the focus of this group is on accounting type services such as internal audit and assurance. The CPA is heavily encouraged in this role, and that is an area I am too interested in pursuing.
Any insight on which offer would position me best to achieve my goals for strong candidacy to top MBA programs and also for my career goal of being a strategy consultant would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
-Joe
Answers
Joe,
I'm just wrapping up an MBA and have worked/ likely will continue to work as a strategy consultant for a top 3 firm, so hopefully I can add some value here. First, I'm happy to chat by phone if that would be easier. In fact, it might be good to chat about what makes consulting attractive to you - the truth is that the thing strategy consultants are best at is selling others on the joys of strategy consulting... but it's not for everyone.
Getting to your question though, as the other posts have pointed out, there is no "right" answer. That said, for a successful MBA application you need:
- a good GMAT score
- great recommendations from people who know you well and are willing to "pound the table" for you
- essays that are honest and original, and importantly that speak to your "leadership experience"
- to demonstrate in your application that you can add value to classroom discussions
And to land a consulting job you need:
- a good GMAT score
- a good MBA program (generally this helps, perhaps unfairly so)
- demonstrated quantitative skills and an ability to structure your approach to complex problems
- great case interview skills
(most people get their summer internship offers before first semester grades are out, so these are less important for summer recruiting for consulting)
To start, you have a good foundation from your experience in the military, and more and more MBA programs (and consulting firms) are valuing that. As others have pointed out, both job offers would also let you check off a lot of the "needs" above. Choose the role that is most likely to connect you to strong mentors/recommenders and about which you can write most compellingly - and which will allow you the time and resources to put together a strong application.
That said, if I had to take a shot in the dark, my guess (and do check this with your mentors and others) would be that the All State offer gives you more of the business leadership opportunities you need for your essays and the ability to work across issue areas/functions that consulting values. Happy to chat more if that would be helpful.
Congratulations again on two great offers.
Best,
Francisco
Hi Joe
Only you can decide which offer to accept, I think that I can speak a little to your offer from Allstate. The program will allow you to work in their core business functions, it will give you access to their Senior Management staff. Having the knowledge of the various business units will allow you to make a decision about where you would like to focus your skills at the end of your rotations. Employees that are hired into one position very rarely have an opportunity to experience many different business units or functions within a large organization.
Good luck!
I think the Allstate offer will provide a better experience, but to get into a top MBA program, I agree with Francisco's comments. Don't put together a rushed application just to adhere to a timeline because it will show to the admissions committee and you won't get in. Re-applying is even more difficult.
I would suggest taking time to research what you want to get out of an MBA program other than a consulting job. What do you want to do long-term? How can [xxx] MBA program help you get there? What region of the country do you want to live in? The answers to these questions will guide your choice of schools. Feel free to reach out to me directly if you want to discuss further.
I agree with Randy that there is no "right" answer. Either position will be a fine starting point. But on a personal level, you must decide what direction you want to move. If you really want to be a consultant, the McGladrey job will give you better hands on experience about what consultants really do.
Many MBA holders make a drastic change in career choice upon graduation. So don't get too locked into a career choice too soon.
Arnie Scott
Joe,
My read on your question gave me a sense that this either/or scenario had a right answer and a wrong answer and I don't think that is the case. BOTH of these opportunities will serve your purpose of developing as a business leader AND when you select one you will make a next step toward the desired role of a strategy consultant.
There are numerous intangibles in any selection process. If a phone conversation would be helpful to you to play out some of those itmes we can do so. My 31 yr old former Marine son just made a significant position change and is weighing the merits of an MBA. The conversation is very fresh.
Randy Byrnes, PhD
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