u/MBA_Prospect_2021

Yesterday I saw the post about the PT MBA at Stern having a tough time finding employment. Their experience is completely valid, but I continuously see people on here say that PT MBAs are a waste of time/money. As someone who had a positive outcome from a top PT MBA, I wanted to share my story to provide an example for when this path works.

As a backgrounder, I started my career in an LDP at a F500. By the time I was considering an MBA (26-27), my comp was already higher than most post-MBA outcomes in my industry. I wanted to pivot into an adjacent strategy function where almost everyone had a top MBA.

I ended up choosing the PT route as leverage for this internal move. It worked. I pivoted during the program and then moved again into a senior commercial role less than a year after the program, which wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. So I graduated with zero debt, significantly higher comp, and am now on a completely different career trajectory.

None of this is to brag, but rather to illustrate what a good PT MBA outcome can look like. Based on my experience, this route makes a lot of sense if you are trying to make an adjacent pivot and/or accelerate your current career. Conversely, it is incredibly difficult to use a PT MBA to make a complete 180 career change. Especially in a down market.

Ultimately, you have to put the time in and make a lot of sacrifices to get results. But if you have solid work experience, a clear plan, and a willingness to grind, a PT MBA can be a great option.