Trying to break into Finance - MBA or MSF?

Water Cooler Careers
#1

I’ve been searching for a while now, but can’t really figure out in which cases is it better to go for the MSF than the MBA? In which cases is it better to go for the MBA instead of the MSF?

Just looking for some direction. I’ve been really lost with this one. Obviously, this will depend on my interests and what not, so here’s a little context for answering the question.

  1. Been out of school for about 6 months, majored in Mechanical Engineering and graduated with a 3.4 GPA. Currently working as an aerospace engineer for one of the F50 aerospace firms. As part of my job I run basic airline level economic analysis. I tend to enjoy that more than the engineering work and that’s how I came to like finance. As you can already guess I’m trying to change career from engineering to finance. I’m aiming towards corporate finance.

  2. I doubt I’d get into a top 15 MBA program, since they’re pretty competitive. I could probably get into an MBA program in the 15-30 rank. But I’ve been hearing out of top 15, an MBA isn’t worth it. MSF has been thrown around quite a lot as an alternative. But is a MSF program really worth it?

  3. I’ve been reading on this forum and elsewhere that usually subsequent to MSF people go into an associate role. But since MBAs tend to compete for those roles as well, often employers go after the MBAs than the MSFs. The MSFs end up competing with undergrads for analysts role. How true is that? Is MSF really that worthless?

  4. Since I’m trying to make a career change, a business certificate degree has bee thrown around quite a lot too by different people. Can I get interviews with a business certificate?

I will really appreciate the help. Just trying to make a push in the “right” direction.

#2

GPA is decent, good recommendations and a high GMAT give you a shot - give it a try good job experience is a plus as well

#3

Well, I’m not sure whether you meant MBA or MSF?

#4

I’d say this is pretty true. I have a MSF and honestly I don’t think it’s added any value to my career to date. It didn’t get me a first job that was any better than what I likely could have got from undergrad, but it bided a year since when I graduated from undergrad in 2010 the job market was pretty weak. I’m hoping it pays dividends by allowing me to not have to waste time going to get an MBA. I view MBAs really as signaling mechanisms, so if you can’t get into a pretty good program, I wouldn’t waste the time and money.

Also, from what I’ve seen in my career, if you have a half decent engineering degree and you’re not a complete moron (both are key), you can probably make the engineer -> finance shift without an MBA.

#5

MBA, full time