New MBA Jobs: McKinsey, AT&T, Barclays and More
Big time companies are hiring in some the world’s most bustling metros. Check out the hottest new MBA jobs at top consulting companies, supply chain departments, and financial institutions across the country below:
Morgan Stanley Still Loves MBAs and the Feeling Is Mutual
Though interest in finance and accounting careers may be decreasing, gaining a job at an investment banks such as J.P. Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley is still attractive for many MBA graduates. In 2018, a career in finance is the third most sought-after industry, according to a recent Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) study. Part of that reasoning is due to the high annual base salary ($115,000), which is this third highest, only behind general management ($125,000) and IT/MIS ($120,000).
So, what does it look like to work for a company such as Morgan Stanley as an MBA graduate? Is it your golden ticket to the future in 2018? We’re taking an inside look. Continue reading…
The Five Biggest Texas Internship Destinations for MBAs
Whether an internship is optional or required for your MBA program, interning at top companies in your metro can not only offer hands-on work experience, but the chance to develop professional relationships that can shape the rest of your career.
Major Texas metros like Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth area are increasingly becoming known for their roles in business and technology, making these cities the perfect spot for students to begin their professional careers with summer internships. Often these internships can lead to continued work and career opportunities after graduation. For example, 100 percent of students at a top MBA program like TCU’s Neeley School of Business earned internships in 2016, nearly half of whom continued projects for their employer on into the following year.
The Five Biggest Texas Internship Destinations
Hewlett Packard (HP)
Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, the multinational informational technology company, HP, has a strong presence in Texas’ biggest metros. With a massive range or products, from personal computers to 3D printers, HP has 55,000 employees around the world and a net income of $2.53 billion USD.
HP and their separate Enterprise Service business, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, offer a number of internships for MBA students and are considered one of the top intern destinations for schools like the Naveen Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas and Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business.
HP offers a 12-week paid summer internship program for students in a variety of fields. Current openings include positions like:
- Personal Systems MBA Project Management Intern (HP)
- Personal Systems MBA Marketing Summer Intern (HP)
- Financial Associate MBA Intern (Hewlett Packard Enterprise)
Texas Instruments
It likely doesn’t come as a surprise that technology company Texas Instruments, headquartered in Dallas, is a top employer for MBA interns in the region. The company, which as of 2017 had a profit margin of $3.68 billion, has a number of different career paths available for their interns, with rotational opportunities after students have graduated that can help accelerate their career. Business roles at the company include focuses such as Finance and Operations, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing Communications, and Supply Chain Analyst.
With internship opportunities in engineering as well as the business fields, Texas Instruments consistently tops lists for MBA interns in programs like the aforementioned TCU Neeley School of Business and other top Dallas schools.
AT&T
Headquartered in Dallas, AT&T today is the world’s largest telecommunications company and second largest provider of mobile phone services in the country. And with 254,000 employees worldwide, it makes sense that this massive company would seek to create a talent pipeline for MBA students in the area. AT&T tops the list as an internship destination for students in schools like Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and Jindal at UT Dallas, among others.
AT&T offers summer internships in a number of different focuses and fields, which provide real-world projects, specialized training programs and leadership exposure. Currently open positions with the company include a Leadership Internship, Finance Internship, and Software Development Internship.
Deloitte
Another company making an impact for student interns at schools like Neeley, Rice, and Mays, is “Big Four” accounting organization Deloitte. The company is headquartered in London but with over 263,000 employees throughout the world. In 2017, Deloitte officially became the fourth largest privately owned company in the United States.
Deloitte’s commitment to recruiting talented finance students is reflected in the many MBAs who find both internships and full-time positions with the company. A Texas internship at Deloitte typically last eight to ten weeks during the summer and continue through at least one semester of the school year. MBA student interns have access to a number of incredible resources during their internship at Deloitte, including a consulting immersion program, women’s leadership launch, and the chance to participate in a number of case competitions.
Accenture
With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, the work of global management consulting company Accenture may seem worlds away from Texas, U.S. But with nearly 500,000 employees around the world, this Fortune Global 500 company has left its mark as a top employers of MBA interns at schools like TCU Neeley and Rice’s Jones School of Business.
Accenture’s internship program is a ten to twelve week experience throughout the summer that encourages students to empower themselves through innovation. Student interns have access to programs like the Student Leadership Conference, Buddy Program, Summer Analyst Day of Service, and group outings. Those who are able to turn their internship stays with Accenture may also be awaiting a hefty payday when it comes to full-time employment after earning an MBA.
“According to Management Consulted, post-MBA salaries at Accenture hover around a base salary of $140-145,000 with a $25,000 signing bonus, an $8,000 relocation check and a performance bonus up to $44,000. Interns typically clock $31 per hour, plus overtime and a signing bonus.”
MBA Job Types: Entry Level v. Experienced
Contrary to popular misconception, choosing to pursue an MBA degree is a decision that can be made at any point in your career. From programs that allow students to jump right in to their degree after undergrad to those that require over ten years of work experience, the wide variety of degree programs means there’s no one way to get your MBA. Because of this, there are a large variety of MBA job types.
However, professional experience is still an important part of an individual’s career development, Even a group of MBAs—having the same foundational business education—will likely find differences in the kinds of jobs they can find after graduation, the levels of pay, and the kind of skills required for these jobs, based on their professional experience. Below, we break down some of the major differences you’ll find between MBAs just starting their careers and those with more professional experience.
MBA Job Types
One of the first major differences for MBAs (and non-MBAs) at the entry level versus those with more experience is the types of jobs available to them. Even though having an MBA degree often helps professionals accelerate their careers and reach higher level management positions, it is unlikely that an MBA with little experience will jump immediately into these senior management roles.
Below are some common entry-level MBA jobs:
- Accountant: an accountant is responsible for maintaining company and personal financial records. Typically, students who pursue accounting specializations within their MBA degrees are prepared to pass the rigorous CPA examination by the time they complete their degree and begin in entry or mid level accounting jobs.
- Medical and Health Services Manager: Healthcare Administration is a quickly growing career for many MBA graduates, with many schools now offering majors or specialization in the field. According to data Bureau of Labor data in 2016, openings in the medical and health services management field are expected to grow by 20% over the next ten years.
- Financial Advisor: Financial advisors are crucial for all types of organizations, which might be why finance is one of the most popular MBA majors. Most MBAs with a high GPA and internship experience already have the requirements needed to get started in a financial advisor position.
Below are some common jobs for experienced MBAs:
- Accounting Manager: accounting managers are responsible not just for overseeing the company’s finances, but also the daily activities of the accounting department. With more experience, certified CPAs have more opportunities to leverage their MBAs into senior management roles.
- Hospital CEO: MBAs with extensive experience, typically 8-10 years, in healthcare administration may take roles in high level positions like Hospital CEO, the highest ranking official in a hospital organization.
- Financial Manager: at least five years experience or more are required for jobs in finance management, which expects candidates to have a lot of hands on experience. Financial Managers oversee all aspects of company or personal finance.
Levels of Pay
It might go without saying that more experience probably means a higher salary. Even though MBAs do make, on average, more than those without an advanced business degree, that number will continue to climb the more experience you get.
- For a field like accounting, Accountants with an MBA degree will make an average of $51,022 per year, while roles that require more experience, like an Accounting Manager, will make close to $72,489 a year.
- In the healthcare management field, a Healthcare Administrator will make on average $74,188 per year while a Hospital CEO will make significantly more at $164,332
- For those in the field of accounting, there is also a significant difference depending on experience. For a role like Financial Advisor, employees make $58,652 per year on average, compared with $99,115 each year for a Financial Manager.
Skills and Experience Required
Another major difference for entry level and experienced MBAs is the type of experience and skills required for their particular roles. Research has often shown that an MBA education provides a number of so called “soft skills” which are often sought by employers, and are important for many entry-level jobs. These skills may include things like the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the ability to communicate effectively, leadership potential, and the ability to take risks.
Conversely, those seeking higher level jobs that require more experience will likely find job posting that ask for specific, industry-related knowledge, and experience. These employers might ask applicants to demonstrate prior experience in the industry and show proven success within their field.
Different Types of Companies
Each year, top companies from around the world recruit MBA talent. Many major companies, like CVS and New York MetLife even offer MBA training/acceleration programs that hire recent graduates and fast track them to a management position within the year. Still, two companies—Apple and McKinsey & Company—which consistently make the list as top companies for MBAs to work for typically require anywhere from 7-15 years experience for some of their senior level MBA jobs.
For entry level MBAs, getting a foot in the door at these companies may mean starting with an internship or as part of a special MBA recruitment program, whereas those with both the degree and several years of experience may have an opportunity to jump right in at the senior level.
Top MBA Recruiters: Guggenheim Partners
For graduating MBA students, the connections made through their university and business school program can be a crucial part of starting a career. At a top program like the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, for instance, 73.9 percent of the 2017 graduating class who accepted full-time offers had the opportunity facilitated by the school. Roughly 30.1 percent of these school-facilitated offers were the results of on-or off-campus interviews.
Not only can your university be instrumental in setting up long-lasting career opportunities, but the companies that seek and recruit MBA students also play an important role. Companies like Guggenheim Partners, based in New York and Chicago with office locations throughout the world, are actively looking for talented MBA students and graduates for opportunities that could be the start of brand new career. And the best part? They’ll come to you.
What is Guggenheim Partners?
Guggenheim partners is a global investment and advisory firm that believes in finding innovative solutions to deliver long-term results to their clients. The company, which is headquartered in New York City and Chicago, operates through three main businesses: investments, securities, and insurance services.
Guggenheim Partners is the culmination of years of the Guggenheim family business, dating back to the late 1800s. Today, the firm is operating with more than $305 billion in assets across a variety of managed accounts and funds. Over 2,400 professionals are currently staffed at the firm across six countries, and roughly 45 percent of the independently owned company is owned by employees themselves.
Why MBAs Love Guggenheim Partners?
One of the cornerstones of Guggenheim Partners today is their focus on finding innovative solutions to complex problems. In hiring, they seek creative people who can perform at high levels, take pride in their work and think creatively. In a word? An MBA.
Guggenheim Partners jobs might also be attractive to MBA graduates because they don’t expect a long resume of professional experience to join their team. According to Payscale, the largest percentage of employees (roughly 40 percent) have between one and four years of professional experience, still earning paychecks of up to $57,000 per year, on average. For MBAs with more experience, of course, it only gets better: the average pay for employees with five to nine years of work experience reveals salaries averaging $93,000 per year.
It also does appear that the company rewards those with advanced degrees. While there is no data on employees with MBAs directly, Payscale does note that those with the company’s highest salary average (around $110,000 per year) are those with Master of Science degrees.
Life at Guggenheim Partners
MBA graduates looking for full-time Guggenheim Partners jobs will likely begin as full-time analysts or associates at one of several recruitment groups around the country. Groups from both the Investments and Securities segment of the company recruit full-time Analysts, such as Sales & Trading (NY and Boston), Research (NY), Corporate Credit (NY), Operations (Chicago) and several others. Those interested in full-time Associate positions will be recruited through the Investment Banking division of Guggenheim Securities, based in New York.
On Ivy Exec, a website that gathers company and employment data, Guggenheim Partners jobs received fairly high marks across the board. A full 100 percent of surveyed employees said they would recommend the job to a friend, 80 percent said it was a great place to work, and 80 percent said they are proud to have the company on their resume.
Guggenheim Partners Jobs
Guggenheim Partners recruit students for full-time jobs in their final year of study, seeking motivated candidates with an impressive academic background and strong interpersonal skills. They also look for graduates with the potential to take on leadership roles while being able to work effectively on a team.
Students can interview on campus for full-time associate or analyst positions, apply directly for open entry level roles, or get their foot in the door even sooner by joining the company’s internship program. The program, which was created to provide students with “visibility and exposure into the day-to-day activities of key business units within Guggenheim Partners” goes above and beyond to create opportunities for advancement, including networking opportunities, speakers, performance evaluations and mentoring.
The Guggenheim Partners internship program is available at all office locations, though some locations offer special focuses for the internship in fields like Investment Banking, Commercial Real Estate, Corporate Credit, and more.
For a list of current opportunities available at Guggenheim Partners, you can check out their career page here.
Top MBA Recruiters: The World of L.E.K. Consulting
L.E.K. Consulting is a leader in management consulting. Headquartered in London and Boston, the company is known for its services in corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and operations. And with over 1,200 employees across 21 worldwide offices, it’s one of the most desirable companies for MBA graduates—trailing only Google—according to a 2017 national survey and ranking by TransparentCareer.
Founded in 1983 by three partners from Bain & Company, L.E.K Consulting offers MBA graduates the opportunity to work across all major industries including defense, aviation, life sciences, healthcare, energy, entertainment, transport, retail, consumer products, and finance. This wide breadth of expertise provides a unique opportunity to explore many different areas while working at a single company. It’s also one of the reasons L.E.K Consulting made it onto Forbes “2018 The Best Management Consulting Firms” list.
Other awards and recognition for L.E.K. Consulting include:
- Named “Strategic Consultants of the Year” at the 2015 Health Investor Awards
- Recognized by the 2016 Excellence in Social & Community Investment Awards
- Ranked #11 in Consulting Magazine’s 2016 Best Firms to Work For
MBA Recruiting at L.E.K Consulting
L.E.K Consulting looks for MBA job candidates who demonstrate exceptional performance and contributions. As a consultant, you can expect your role to involve:
- Regular collaboration with partners and managers
- Answering critical questions through analyses and structured approaches
- Managing your team’s day-to-day activities
In 2017, L.E.K. Consulting hired around 50 MBAs from U.S. business schools, looking for candidates with a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences. However, gaining a position at L.E.K. Consulting can be an intimidating experience. They’re ranked as having one of the world’s most challenging interview processes—ranking 3.4 on a 5-point scale—according to Fortune Magazine.
Salary & Benefits of Working at L.E.K. Consulting
According to TransparentCareer, the average total compensation for an L.E.K. Consulting employee with an MBA degree is $252,500. That can be broken down into approximately:
- Base: $150,000
- Performance Bonus: $25,000
- Retirement & Profit Sharing: up to $30,000
- Signing Bonus: $25,000
- Relocation: up to $5,000
As for employee benefits, it’s a large, multi-national organization, so there are many advantages including life insurance/disability, 401(k), paid holidays, and vacation.
MBA Internship Program
One of the best ways for an MBA candidate to get an “in” at L.E.K. Consulting is through their Summer Associate program. This eight- to ten-week program is available for top-performing MBA candidates who want to experience real casework as part of a team.
Students will dedicate 100 percent of their time to a single engagement, which will result in guiding and managing the client to a solution. As a Summer Consultant, you can expect to complete a range of day-to-day activities, and you’ll be responsible for:
- Identifying critical issues
- Structuring analyses
- Managing Associates
- Communicating insights
- Participating in client communication
Summer Consultants have the support of all full-time Consultants at L.E.K. This means that you’ll have a chance to be mentored throughout the summer with guidance and coaching.
International SWAP Program
One unique opportunity that L.E.K. Consulting offers its employees is their SWAP Program. This program gives consultants a chance to SWAP their position with another associate anywhere in the world for a short period. For example, a Boston consultant might head to Paris while the Paris associate heads to Boston for six months. During the SWAP, you do not change your job. Instead, you change your work location for a unique international experience.
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Working at L.E.K. Consulting
What’s it like to work at L.E.K. Consulting? According to Glassdoor reviews, it’s a “fast-paced, dynamic work environment.” However, it can also be demanding and “hard to maintain a work-life balance.” One thing that most employees agree on is that the work is challenging with great people to work with who are talented, smart, and fun.
According to one consultant who has been at the company for three years, “L.E.K. runs teams lean compared to other consulting firms, meaning all team members will have meaningful step-up opportunities and more responsibility/ownership relative to their peers at other firms, earlier in their careers. The work is generally interesting, and the learning curve is steep. This job will keep you learning and challenged.”
On the flip-side, “Work/life balance seems worse at L.E.K. relative to other firms, because of the lean structure. Most projects are under-staffed. In addition, there are no systems/processes in place to retain talent that is burned out.”
