MBlog: [Rida] Jobs and General FAQ

I understand that alot of you are interested in the career outlook. Here I am composing some general FAQs. This is just my personal opinion. My classmates may have other perspectives. (Hey guys, feel free to put in your 2 cents as well)

1) Is there enough time in the MLOG program to participate in extracurricular activities or networking while this is an intensive 1 year program?

The answer is: It all depends on how much you want to accomplish and how motivated you are. If you are class of '07 you have been personally handpicked and clearly you have the capacity and potential to succeed. So it is really up to you to steer your own course. Some of my classmates are taking many many units while still taking the time to participate in social events.

2) Could you comment on how recruiters and the business world view MBA versus MLOG? Is one of them more reputable than the other?

While the nature of the MLOG program is not the same as MBA, recruiters view MLOG students as focused supply chain professionals. This is not to say that the degree only confines you to pursue supply chain careers. In fact, this year our classmates are getting job offers as project managers, healthcare consultants, management consultants, supply chain analysts & managers, military leaders, startup founders, directors in various large industries. There is an advantage to distinguish yourself from being an MBA. More recruiters are starting to know about MLOG now because of the strong alumni network and its reputation.

3) What is it really like for MLOG recruiting compared to MBA?

Chris brings in over 30 companies over the course of the year. Quite a few offers was made as a result of this exclusive MLOG recruiting. Nonetheless, the choices might be limited so it is best that you take charge of your career hunt in the area that you really want. Sloan students probably might have more choices when it comes to the breadth of jobs. However, there is an advantage of being MLOG over MBA. For one thing, many people from top MBA programs are competing for a limited number of highly demanded jobs such as management consulting. MIT is well-known for engineering and MLOG is an engineering degree. In that sense you are able to "brand" yourself apart. In general, the trend is that there are many MBAs from many schools out there right now. Think about supply and demand in the long run.

4) What other venues are there to look for jobs?

There is MIT monterstrak that alot of students use. This is a good tool but not all the jobs might be fitting as some of these jobs are looking for graduates without experience. There are quite a few recruiting presentations among MIT ESD that you might be able to find opportunities. I would have to repeat the cliche that the best way to get good jobs is build your trust among your networks :)

5) What are my chances of getting into top management consulting firms like BCG, McKinsey, Bain, etc?

Every year in the MLOG program there are several people who chooses to join these companies. While I myself did not pursue this route, I should probably defer better advice to my classmates. In any case, I still believe that a smart way to go about this is to prepare and practice.. practice... practice your case study during this summer. Yes, I said this summer! You will not have time once school starts. Consulting recruiting starts Sep/ Oct :)

IMHO the key to landing these jobs is
a) make your cover letter/resume attractive to capture the recruiters attention
b) how good and confident you can answer the case questions during interviews
c) how fast you can think on your feet (Refer to my blog on improvisation)
d) can you present and communicate in a coherent way and structured way?

At the end of the day, it is up to you to decide what you want to get out of the program. Classes, company presentations and various resources are abundant here at MIT so it's really your choice how to make the most out of it. You can take things as ambitious as you like. Enroll in classes in Harvard or join clubs. Or like me, while I have a general idea of what I want for my career, I prefer to take the time to truly enjoy the experiences and let that guide me to wherever it might be.

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Posted by: |

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Your comment could not be posted. Error type:

Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

MBlog

MLOG ~ From the Inside

2006 Faces

MBloggers

About

[Rida] Jobs and General FAQ

Comments

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Post a comment

Recent Posts

Archives