4 answers
Chisom
Student
Garden City, New York
1
Question
Updated
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Can someone please explain to me the various career paths and finance post-MBA graduation?
I am currently in the Baruch MBA program, and I am looking to lay out my options of career paths post-graduation.
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4 answers
Indira Bachoo
1
Answer
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Indira’s Answer
Hello Chisom,
As an MBA graduate, you have many career options ahead of you, both within finance and beyond, depending on what interests you most. Speaking from my own experience, I started my career in accounting, then transitioned into Data & Analytics, and now work on a team that supports the financial system. Career paths don’t have to be linear, and your MBA gives you the flexibility to pivot as your interests evolve.
If you enjoy problem‑solving, working in a fast‑paced environment, and gaining exposure to different industries, consulting can be a great path. It’s well suited for people who enjoy variety, learning quickly, and tackling new challenges.
Corporate Finance is another strong option, especially if you’re interested in business strategy and prefer stability. These roles typically involve budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning and analysis to support decision‑making. Compared to consulting, Corporate Finance often offers more predictable hours and a steadier work environment, since you’re focused on one organization rather than moving from client to client.
I hope this helped!
As an MBA graduate, you have many career options ahead of you, both within finance and beyond, depending on what interests you most. Speaking from my own experience, I started my career in accounting, then transitioned into Data & Analytics, and now work on a team that supports the financial system. Career paths don’t have to be linear, and your MBA gives you the flexibility to pivot as your interests evolve.
If you enjoy problem‑solving, working in a fast‑paced environment, and gaining exposure to different industries, consulting can be a great path. It’s well suited for people who enjoy variety, learning quickly, and tackling new challenges.
Corporate Finance is another strong option, especially if you’re interested in business strategy and prefer stability. These roles typically involve budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning and analysis to support decision‑making. Compared to consulting, Corporate Finance often offers more predictable hours and a steadier work environment, since you’re focused on one organization rather than moving from client to client.
I hope this helped!
Chrissy Camp
Legal contracting review project management
3
Answers
Safety Harbor, Florida
Updated
Chrissy’s Answer
Hi Chisom! I think it really depends on what areas you are most interested in, but luckily an MBA program is fairly universal. Here are some areas that you could explore further to determine what interests you the most:
Prefer fast-paced deals and client interaction, and can handle heavy hours : Investment Banking
Want to own investments and value creation with a long-term mindset: Private Equity
Passionate about startups/technology and network-building: Venture Capital
Love public markets, research, and building theses: Asset Management/Hedge Funds
Want to operate within a company and build toward CFO: Corporate Finance
Enjoy M&A with better lifestyle than banking: Corporate Development
Relationship-driven with long-term client focus: Wealth Management/Commercial Banking
Interested in systems, models, and controls: Risk Management (this is what I do!)
Blend finance and product/tech: Fintech/Product roles (and this is the industry I work closest with)
Prefer fast-paced deals and client interaction, and can handle heavy hours : Investment Banking
Want to own investments and value creation with a long-term mindset: Private Equity
Passionate about startups/technology and network-building: Venture Capital
Love public markets, research, and building theses: Asset Management/Hedge Funds
Want to operate within a company and build toward CFO: Corporate Finance
Enjoy M&A with better lifestyle than banking: Corporate Development
Relationship-driven with long-term client focus: Wealth Management/Commercial Banking
Interested in systems, models, and controls: Risk Management (this is what I do!)
Blend finance and product/tech: Fintech/Product roles (and this is the industry I work closest with)
Raquel Aguirre
Associate Consultant
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Raquel’s Answer
As a quick disclaimer: While I haven't earned an MBA myself, I've seen many friends and family members go through business school and take a wide range of paths after graduation, especially within finance. One of the biggest takeaways from watching their journeys is that an MBA doesn't lead to a single "right" outcome, but rather it opens up a variety of options, and people often move between them over time. So, you have plenty to pick from, and once you do decide, you can ALWAYS change your mind.
On the finance side, post-MBA roles usually can fit in a few buckets. Some pursue more traditional, high-intensity paths like investment banking, private equity, asset management, or hedge funds. These path tend to require strong analytical skills, long hours, and accelerated learning commitment, but have a compensation to match. Others might move toward corporate finance roles such as FP&A, treasury, or corporate development, where the work is more internally focused, strategic, and often has a better work-life balance. Beyond that, many MBAs end up in consulting, fintech, real estate, product or strategy roles at tech companies, or even launching their own ventures / companies. What I've consistently seen is that the first post-MBA job is less about locking in a lifelong career and more about building skills, credibility, and a network that gives you flexibility for your next move.
Please let me know if you have any more questions!
On the finance side, post-MBA roles usually can fit in a few buckets. Some pursue more traditional, high-intensity paths like investment banking, private equity, asset management, or hedge funds. These path tend to require strong analytical skills, long hours, and accelerated learning commitment, but have a compensation to match. Others might move toward corporate finance roles such as FP&A, treasury, or corporate development, where the work is more internally focused, strategic, and often has a better work-life balance. Beyond that, many MBAs end up in consulting, fintech, real estate, product or strategy roles at tech companies, or even launching their own ventures / companies. What I've consistently seen is that the first post-MBA job is less about locking in a lifelong career and more about building skills, credibility, and a network that gives you flexibility for your next move.
Please let me know if you have any more questions!
Stacie Hutzler
Practice director for professional services firm
1
Answer
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Stacie’s Answer
Keeping with Chrissy's descriptions above, I'd add:
Like project work, creating solutions, interested in traveling (Although this isn't always a requirement post COVID), working with a team, variety, sharing best practices: management consulting
I went back to graduate school with the plan that I would open my own non profit organization focused on at risk teens that uses the outdoors as a method to help teens change.
When I did my summer internship, the work was project based with a start, finish and desired outcome - I realized this was "consulting". I did consulting work for five years then moved into internal operations.
Like project work, creating solutions, interested in traveling (Although this isn't always a requirement post COVID), working with a team, variety, sharing best practices: management consulting
I went back to graduate school with the plan that I would open my own non profit organization focused on at risk teens that uses the outdoors as a method to help teens change.
When I did my summer internship, the work was project based with a start, finish and desired outcome - I realized this was "consulting". I did consulting work for five years then moved into internal operations.