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Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:28 am
by Anonymous User
I am thinking of getting an MBA. As most of you know, MBA admissions committee regard work experience as one of the most important factors for admission.
Is being a lawyer, particularly a commercial lawyer for two to four years, good enough work experience? Or are MBA admission committees looking for a different type of work experience?
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:30 am
by Kabuo
You're wondering if spending 3 years in law school, followed by 2-4 years in corporate law will be good work experience for getting an MBA? Wtf. Why don't you just get the JD/MBA combo. Your case is actually one where it would cost effective. Plus, you can get into some very good MBA programs just based on your LSAT.
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:41 am
by Blindmelon
Get a job. Its cheaper/better on the your MBA app.
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 12:50 pm
by Anonymous User
Any other responses?
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 12:58 pm
by Anonymous User
If you're a litigator, absolutely not.
Transactional may be better, but there are still a ton of other jobs that look better than being a lawyer.
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 12:59 pm
by bdubs
Anonymous User wrote:I am thinking of getting an MBA. As most of you know, MBA admissions committee regard work experience as one of the most important factors for admission.
Is being a lawyer, particularly a commercial lawyer for two to four years, good enough work experience? Or are MBA admission committees looking for a different type of work experience?
Why do you want an MBA? What are your career aspirations?
This is generally a bad idea, being a lawyer is a career not a job. An MBA is not an investment that will yield significant returns for an attorney who is already practicing, so it would almost always be a bad idea. If you don't want to be an attorney or in a legal related position, then you shouldn't waste your time in law school.
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 1:03 pm
by paratactical
This is like raising a chicken so you can get a dozen eggs.
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 1:13 pm
by ibanker
Not if you are trying to get into finance.
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:05 pm
by vamedic03
Anonymous User wrote:I am thinking of getting an MBA. As most of you know, MBA admissions committee regard work experience as one of the most important factors for admission.
Is being a lawyer, particularly a commercial lawyer for two to four years, good enough work experience? Or are MBA admission committees looking for a different type of work experience?
WHY WOULD YOU SPEND $150k-200k ON A PROFESSIONAL DEGREE JUST TO "GET INTO" AN MBA PROGRAM?!
Law school is for becoming a lawyer. Lawyers are professionals, not just some sort of 'job' for you to bide your time at for getting an MBA.
You need to get a real job and spend some time in the real world if this is your best idea for the future.
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:42 pm
by kurla88
vamedic03 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:I am thinking of getting an MBA. As most of you know, MBA admissions committee regard work experience as one of the most important factors for admission.
Is being a lawyer, particularly a commercial lawyer for two to four years, good enough work experience? Or are MBA admission committees looking for a different type of work experience?
WHY WOULD YOU SPEND $150k-200k ON A PROFESSIONAL DEGREE JUST TO "GET INTO" AN MBA PROGRAM?!
Law school is for becoming a lawyer. Lawyers are professionals, not just some sort of 'job' for you to bide your time at for getting an MBA.
You need to get a real job and spend some time in the real world if this is your best idea for the future.
This.
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:49 pm
by ResolutePear
vamedic03 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:I am thinking of getting an MBA. As most of you know, MBA admissions committee regard work experience as one of the most important factors for admission.
Is being a lawyer, particularly a commercial lawyer for two to four years, good enough work experience? Or are MBA admission committees looking for a different type of work experience?
WHY WOULD YOU SPEND $150k-200k ON A PROFESSIONAL DEGREE JUST TO "GET INTO" AN MBA PROGRAM?!
Law school is for becoming a lawyer. Lawyers are professionals, not just some sort of 'job' for you to bide your time at for getting an MBA.
You need to get a real job and spend some time in the real world if this is your best idea for the future.
Depends.
Although it's rather time consuming, working with a JD for a few years could probably leverage you if you're going for a top MBA.
I don't know about you guys, but if Harvard/Wharton/Stanford told me that I could get into their program post JD - I'd go for it. You'd have to be retarded not to. Seriously, who would argue that V100 Partner > Fortune 500 CEO?
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:59 pm
by clintonius
^lulz
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:00 pm
by ResolutePear
clintonius wrote:^lulz
LOLWUT
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:13 pm
by Tsispilos
ResolutePear wrote:vamedic03 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:I am thinking of getting an MBA. As most of you know, MBA admissions committee regard work experience as one of the most important factors for admission.
Is being a lawyer, particularly a commercial lawyer for two to four years, good enough work experience? Or are MBA admission committees looking for a different type of work experience?
WHY WOULD YOU SPEND $150k-200k ON A PROFESSIONAL DEGREE JUST TO "GET INTO" AN MBA PROGRAM?!
Law school is for becoming a lawyer. Lawyers are professionals, not just some sort of 'job' for you to bide your time at for getting an MBA.
You need to get a real job and spend some time in the real world if this is your best idea for the future.
Depends.
Although it's rather time consuming, working with a JD for a few years could probably leverage you if you're going for a top MBA.
I don't know about you guys, but if Harvard/Wharton/Stanford told me that I could get into their program post JD - I'd go for it. You'd have to be retarded not to. Seriously, who would argue that V100 Partner > Fortune 500 CEO?
because clearly everyone who goes to Wharton ends up being the CEO of a Fortune 500.
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:15 pm
by ResolutePear
Tsispilos wrote:ResolutePear wrote:vamedic03 wrote:Anonymous User wrote:I am thinking of getting an MBA. As most of you know, MBA admissions committee regard work experience as one of the most important factors for admission.
Is being a lawyer, particularly a commercial lawyer for two to four years, good enough work experience? Or are MBA admission committees looking for a different type of work experience?
WHY WOULD YOU SPEND $150k-200k ON A PROFESSIONAL DEGREE JUST TO "GET INTO" AN MBA PROGRAM?!
Law school is for becoming a lawyer. Lawyers are professionals, not just some sort of 'job' for you to bide your time at for getting an MBA.
You need to get a real job and spend some time in the real world if this is your best idea for the future.
Depends.
Although it's rather time consuming, working with a JD for a few years could probably leverage you if you're going for a top MBA.
I don't know about you guys, but if Harvard/Wharton/Stanford told me that I could get into their program post JD - I'd go for it. You'd have to be retarded not to. Seriously, who would argue that V100 Partner > Fortune 500 CEO?
because clearly everyone who goes to Wharton ends up being the CEO of a Fortune 500.
because clearly everyone who goes to Penn(sorry, it just fits - but you get the jist) ends up being a partner of a V100.
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:20 pm
by clintonius
But the odds are comparable.
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:20 pm
by Black-Blue
Anonymous User wrote:I am thinking of getting an MBA. As most of you know, MBA admissions committee regard work experience as one of the most important factors for admission.
Is being a lawyer, particularly a commercial lawyer for two to four years, good enough work experience? Or are MBA admission committees looking for a different type of work experience?
I'd say
2 years iBanking
= 2 years consulting at top consulting firm
= 3 years mid-level banking/consulting
= 4 years accounting or small finance firm
= 4 years biglaw (corporate)
= 5 years IT/engineering
= 5 years biglaw/botique (non-corporate)
= 7 years shitlaw
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:25 pm
by Kswizzie
I know a couple people that did JD -> Couple Years Government/Regulatory -> Kellogg
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:29 pm
by motiontodismiss
Black-Blue wrote:Anonymous User wrote:I am thinking of getting an MBA. As most of you know, MBA admissions committee regard work experience as one of the most important factors for admission.
Is being a lawyer, particularly a commercial lawyer for two to four years, good enough work experience? Or are MBA admission committees looking for a different type of work experience?
I'd say
2 years iBanking
= 2 years consulting at top consulting firm
= 3 years mid-level banking/consulting
= 4 years accounting or small finance firm
= 4 years biglaw (corporate)
= 5 years IT/engineering
= 5 years biglaw/botique (non-corporate)
= 7 years shitlaw
and
=1.5 years Hedge fund/venture capital
I don't know what your plan is OP but if you're just looking to switch careers a headhunter might be a better investment.
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:34 pm
by Kswizzie
motiontodismiss wrote:Black-Blue wrote:Anonymous User wrote:I am thinking of getting an MBA. As most of you know, MBA admissions committee regard work experience as one of the most important factors for admission.
Is being a lawyer, particularly a commercial lawyer for two to four years, good enough work experience? Or are MBA admission committees looking for a different type of work experience?
I'd say
2 years iBanking
= 2 years consulting at top consulting firm
= 3 years mid-level banking/consulting
= 4 years accounting or small finance firm
= 4 years biglaw (corporate)
= 5 years IT/engineering
= 5 years biglaw/botique (non-corporate)
= 7 years shitlaw
and
=1.5 years Hedge fund/venture capital
Can you even do hedge fund/ venture capital without an MBA? You don't just walk into Bridgewater and get a job...
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:38 am
by 180orbust
Funny you should mention Bridgewater. My friend just got a job at Bridgewater with no MBA.
I also think going into law for MBA work experience is a retarded idea. Despite the idiocy, you have to be one ambitious motherfucker to want to go back for an MBA after 3-4 years of BigLaw hell. How much steak can a man eat?
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:47 am
by Kswizzie
180orbust wrote:Funny you should mention Bridgewater. My friend just got a job at Bridgewater with no MBA.
I also think going into law for MBA work experience is a retarded idea. Despite the idiocy, you have to be one ambitious motherfucker to want to go back for an MBA after 3-4 years of BigLaw hell. How much steak can a man eat?
Big ups to your buddy... is he some kind of financial mastermind?
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:58 am
by 180orbust
Kswizzie wrote:180orbust wrote:Funny you should mention Bridgewater. My friend just got a job at Bridgewater with no MBA.
I also think going into law for MBA work experience is a retarded idea. Despite the idiocy, you have to be one ambitious motherfucker to want to go back for an MBA after 3-4 years of BigLaw hell. How much steak can a man eat?
Big ups to your buddy... is he some kind of financial mastermind?
I don't think he is, but I wouldn't know. He had a couple years of previous experience doing something else financial that I couldn't understand.
I don't think his current position at Bridgewater is one that typically requires an MBA. Another friend of mine does similar work for a Swiss bank in NY, and she doesn't have an MBA either. They are traders of some sort, not managers, a few years out of college... does that make more sense?
Re: Is Being A Lawyer Good Work Experience for an MBA?
Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 1:46 am
by motiontodismiss
180orbust wrote:Kswizzie wrote:180orbust wrote:Funny you should mention Bridgewater. My friend just got a job at Bridgewater with no MBA.
I also think going into law for MBA work experience is a retarded idea. Despite the idiocy, you have to be one ambitious motherfucker to want to go back for an MBA after 3-4 years of BigLaw hell. How much steak can a man eat?
Big ups to your buddy... is he some kind of financial mastermind?
I don't think he is, but I wouldn't know. He had a couple years of previous experience doing something else financial that I couldn't understand.
I don't think his current position at Bridgewater is one that typically requires an MBA. Another friend of mine does similar work for a Swiss bank in NY, and she doesn't have an MBA either. They are traders of some sort, not managers, a few years out of college... does that make more sense?
Traders don't give a shit where you came from as long as you make money. The people in VC/IB/PE are more prestige whorish.