MBA students feel overwhelmed by peers' accomplishments

“I’m a first-year at a T15 and recruiting season has made me realize how weirdly concentrated everyone’s attention is. There are hundreds of employers that hire MBAs, but if you walked around campus for a week you’d think there were maybe twelve. Consulting coffee chats are packed. Banking events fill immediately. The big tech sessions get people showing up early so they can grab seats. Someone mentions a recognizable brand and suddenly everyone wants to know who has an intro there. Meanwhile som”

“I'm planning to start my MBA and want to make the most of the experience beyond just academics, grades, and placements. For those who are currently pursuing an MBA or have already graduated, what soft skills would you recommend developing during business school? I'm particularly interested in skills that actually make a difference in the workplace and help with long-term career growth, such as communication, networking, leadership, negotiation, public speaking, or decision-making.”

“I'm a second-year at a T15 and have somehow become the person who actually organizes events for one of our professional clubs. We had an executive board meeting last week to plan an alumni panel. Nine people attended. Every single person had some variation of President, VP, Co-VP, Director, or Head of Something in their title. We spent 40 minutes discussing the strategic direction of the event. One guy suggested we should "rethink the value proposition for attendees." Another wante”

“I’m specifically looking for people who applied directly through company career/job portals rather than through campus placements. Would love to hear about your experience — your MBA college, the company and role you got, how you applied, and how difficult the process was. Especially interested in people who got into Big 4 (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC) or other reputed MNCs through this route. Thanks! submitted by /u/Ok_Fruit_5490 [link] [comments]”

“Interesting chart to put the discussion to the rest. But I'd love to see the comparison between the M7 EMBA vs. MBA 5 years post graduation. submitted by /u/ricksanchez-c125 [link] [comments]”

“I’m in my first semester of an MBA and I’ve been getting frustrated with recruiting. I’ll have a good conversation with someone at an event, do well in class, and then somehow never hear anything afterward. A classmate finally told me why he thought that was happening: “You’re sharp but you look like you don’t care”. I was thinking why should a hoodie or being 5 minutes late matter if I can actually do the work?? Then I started looking at myself the way a recruiter probably would. My LinkedIn wa”

“Hello! I just started at a top MBA and things are so intense. I was hoping to relax, learn courses, read books, meet interesting people but the experience is so different that I don’t have time for anything. It’s fun though but not relaxing at all. For those who completed MBA, how was your experience? What did you regret doing? submitted by /u/Fm_000 [link] [comments]”

“I went into the program as a genuine, kind person. I'm positive. I tried to go into the program happy, excited, and optimistic. I was genuinely kind to others, show interest, actively listen and show interest. People were polite to me, no one was really outwardly mean or cold. But I very rarely got invited to birthday parties, house parties, overnight trips, camping, clubbing, movie nights, board game nights, or other social activities not planned by the school. No one at school as told me a”

“Quick background. I did my MBA from a tier-1 school (non IIM) and specialized in marketing. During the course I did an FMCG internship in growth/NPD — the kind of hands-on building work I genuinely enjoyed and wanted to do more of. Then I got placed into a 2-year rotation program at Financial Services Company, sold as a leadership/retention track. Two problems with it. One, they're not actually keeping anyone at the end of the two years — there's no real role waiting, the "retention”

“If someone graduated an MBA program and is still a TA, what is the benefit? I imagine taking a role below your MBA required position would allow you to familiarize with a company and eventually promote into better roles with your MBA. What would be some benefits I haven’t considered? submitted by /u/Winter-Answer-8893 [link] [comments]”

“Hi all, I have done an integrated non tech course for mba finance, I have 75%+ academics in 10th 12 and post graduate. I already have a job in finance but want to pivot to strategy and earn good package but the problem is that my MBA is not from top college which created a problem for me rn my fixed is 7 lpa. Please help me I am to GMAT except CFA but cant afford an expensive degree now can also go abroad submitted by /u/cryybabyy18 [link] [comments]”

“One thing I didn’t really expect from MBA life was how often I would compare myself with everyone around me. Someone gets a better grade. Someone wins a case competition. Someone gets an internship. Someone is doing multiple certifications. Someone is already preparing for placements. And suddenly you start thinking, “Am I doing enough?” The funny part is that most people probably feel the same way. You might look at someone and think they have everything figured out, while they might be looking”

“Hi everyone! I have been considering an MBA for quite some time as a way to switch careers, given that I have an art degree. That was a decision I made as a teenager that I still feel incredibly fortunate to have, especially since it was a top art school. However, as an adult, you can imagine that money isn’t the greatest and I oftentimes feel pigeonholed with my degree. Though, I do believe my creative capital is an asset. At the moment, I’m still thinking about how I’d like to use an MBA or if”

“I've been seeing a ton of posts on here lately of people saying they felt social pressure to never unfriend current or former MBA classmates on social media, to be nice to everyone, to pretend to show interest in folks they don't care for, and to kind of be a doormat if someone disrespects you. This is all so you have "optionality" and have a network where connections will be willing to give you job referrals down the line. That's never how I operated. I often unfriend peop”

“This sub, along with my classmates at the MBA (T15, full time), hammered this idea that you need to appear mainstream and conventional to fit in in the business world. You need to dress in a conventional way and have mainstream interests and hobbies to discuss. I was an international student new to American culture so I took this advice to heart, especially as I sought to "assimilate." It was 2 years in the program like that, of faking that I enjoy watching NFL or basketball, watching”

“Current T50 MBA student here. I wasn't able to land a summer internship and instead spent the summer working independently on a few projects to build relevant experience. I have several years of pre-MBA experience across consulting and startups, and I'm primarily interested in product-related roles. For those who have recruited full-time without an MBA internship, how much did the missing internship hurt you? Were you still able to get interviews with larger tech/established companies, o”

“I'm fortunate, and have made some good (and lucky) financial decisions prior to my MBA. I'm not at a retirement balance, but I no longer need sacrifice all of my time in pursuit of the highest comp possible. My main primary plan while in the MBA program was pursuing consulting. During my internship (consulting, non-MBB) I had a parent pass away and ultimately wasn't around for half of that summer. FWIW they were very accommodating and understanding. During this life event I realized”

“Quick question for current students. I keep seeing people talk about all the international trips during the MBA, and I'm curious how much of that comes from the school itself versus classmates just grouping up and planning trips on their own. For those at places like Fuqua / MIT/ Tuck, do you end up going to Europe or Asia much during the two years? I'd imagine it's way easier at LBS or INSEAD since everything is so close. Getting to know other cultures and working internationally is”

“Out of curiosity how valuable did you find your university's clubs (consulting, IB, tech, etc.) when it came down to interview prep and coffee chats during your first year? What are things you did/didn't like? It would be helpful if folks named the school they're referencing as well. submitted by /u/InevitablePresence75 [link] [comments]”

“In my heart I think I know the answer but I feel a level of sunk cost, also what people would think. I’m US citizen but doing an MBA in UK. I was pretty excited for it, but a few things have sort of turned me against it. I was previously a teacher and was very discouraged and wanting to pivot. However, in July through August I had a few chance encounters with former students and I sort of walked away with a “oh damn, I did sort of make a difference”. Like it sounds sappy but I actually sort of t”

“As an introvert who forms good one on one bonds but doesn’t do well in group settings the MBA has been a bit challenging. I’ve not stuck to any one group and that’s on purpose because I’ve usually had more time to ‘find my tribe’. It’s just been 2 weeks of school and everyone has seemed to form close bonds, people they lunch with, go out for drinks with - which again, not my thing if its frequent. I don’t feel that connection with anyone yet and despite most of my actions being thought through,”

submitted by /u/hasibresearcher [link] [comments]

“Hi everyone! I’m looking for some advice from fellow MBA students because I’ve been struggling with imposter syndrome lately. I’m still relatively new to my MBA program (I’m only two terms in), but somehow I still feel like a complete newbie. There are times when I’m surrounded by classmates who seem so knowledgeable, experienced, and confident, and I start feeling like I’m a fraud and don’t really deserve my seat in the program. I know rationally that I was accepted for a reason, but it’s diffi”

“What were you working on before and what has the MBA allowed you to pivot towards? Any details on compensation and career day to day are appreciated submitted by /u/FortuneNo4502 [link] [comments]”

“I (35M) just started an MBA at a respected program in my city. I go part-time and Work will be reimbursing me basically for all of it due to the cost of it being very affordable. It’s not the best program ever, but it does have good connections in my city. The problem is I have no fucking clue what I wanna do. I’ve been in a shitty industry for the last decade and a half. I have some good experience and was moving up but fluctuations in my career have landed me in a mediocre role with a less tha”

“Yeah I pursued my MBA partially to have and meet cool folks, but I also did it to pivot careers and learn about business. But when I went to Haas from 2022-24 for the full-time MBA, "business" was one of the least talked about topics among our class. Sure you would do coffee chats with people and they might share career backgrounds and goals. Some of the professional clubs had some company guest speakers or treks. 2nd years could serve as interview prep mentors here and there and you c”

“Having done an MBA at a top school, there are many smart people. Quite a few have STEM/ engineering backgrounds. Also a fair amount of very lazy people who want to party/ coast and people who confidently make dumb decisions. But the same could be said for students in CS programs who cheat their way through.”

“I am a masters student in Business and Management, with finance and accounting in one of the best schools for business in the UK. Due to graduate in January. I have participated in MBA case competition and volunteered for major entrepreneurial events. Naturally, I have already started actively looking for jobs (since mid-august), but have been met with rejection. Only twice i made it past the CV round actually. The field I want to break into is project management/operations or anything financial”

“So I am just a few weeks into a one year masters (MBA) program and I feel disappointed. It is a networking heavy major and I feel like I could have gotten a much better network doing it near where I live. And my cohort is from all over the world which is FINE, great even! But it doesn’t quite seem to fit with my professional goals. Unfortunately I am also a little checked out myself as I am also doing a program to become certified to be an Administrator (Principal) in education so it is admitted”

“I graduated from a tier 1 indian engg college in 2024 with a cgpa 9/10. Have been working in an mnc for the past 2 years. However, I'm unhappy with the pay compared to my peers in the same role in the same org. I'm targeting global MBAs 2028 intake (t1/t2 schools), haven't appeared for the gmat yet. So I had a few questions: Do i even bother with a job switch right now? Given the job market i might end up spending a lot of time job hunting, and by the time i do get a job, it'll b”

“Any other post grads still lurking here? I thought it would be interesting to see what everyone’s career progressions have looked like so far. Business school: H/S/W Industry: Industrials Role: Corporate strategy into product management Hired: 165k 1st year: 173k 2nd year: 205k (became Director) 3rd year: 338k (became Sr. Director) All numbers include base salary, annual target bonus, and stock submitted by /u/BlueberryArmpits [link] [comments]”

“I have no problems with my classmates, and as individuals they’re all great, kind, and caring people. As a whole, the advantages of being born into wealthy, college-educated, two parent, households, are just so apparent. Every post I see on LinkedIn about going to a top MBA program, with their siblings, mentors, etc., I just know when I click on their profile, there’s going to be a $30-$80,000 a year private highschool. I would say the majority(60%+) of my class went to private highschool, while”

“I have a CS degree and 3+ YOE and doing a part time MBA at a typical B school rated in the Top 25 for part time mba programs. It’s in person. My drive to get an MBA is to diversify and not only have a technical background. I have experience in SWE, System Administrator, looking to get more technical experience before I graduate in 2 years. Not only did I want to start my own business, I kinda also wanted to be in a lead or principal position in making technical and business decisions (there’s al”

“Pre-MBA me was basically like: networking = adding people on LinkedIn, sending a generic "would love to connect!", and never speaking again. A digital collection of strangers. Post-MBA me , three months in: apparently that's not networking, that's just... hoarding. Real networking looks like arguing about a case study with someone at 11 PM and accidentally becoming friends It's a senior you cold-messaged for "5 minutes of advice" who ends up talking to you for 40”

“Hello! I’m about to enter grad school this fall bc I currently work in retail management and I have tried to get out for a couple years into a full time role but I was hitting a brick wall. My parents suggested I go to grad school (MBA, I have a bachelors in accounting but I hated it) and I was hesitant about it and applied and got in. I will be taking courses online. However, I’ve been anxious lately about it. I feel like im not good enough for it and getting the mba won’t help me anywhere due”

“I ask this as someone who is getting their MBA! So I am by no means trying to shit on the degree. My family & friends are def supportive of me, but in general a lot of them (who have PhDs/other grad degrees) think of business school as an unserious degree. I’m not bothered by it because…I also slightly agree, if we’re being honest. I’m curious if y’all encounter similar thoughts about MBAs in your circles? As an example, my friend and her fiancée go to CBS & Columbia Law, respectively, a”

“Ex MBB here and here is a secret to get into MBB. It's much tougher as a M7/ T10 to get into MBB. NYC SF, Chicago or any elite US office; you are competing with the best in the world I know several T15 even T30 MBA who join Singapore, HK, Mumbai, Delhi. Dubai or Paris, Geneva MBB and then transfer to MBB NYC/SF/Chicago once you are an EM or Principal It's much much easier for T15 MBA to get into MBB offices outside the elite US cities Your T 15 MBA will stand out in Paris or Singapore or”

“I graduated from Haas's full-time MBA a little over a year ago, and looking back, I really don't think it was the right program for me socially. I admire and respect my fellow Haasies, but the hard truth is that they weren't my scene. I'm an international student from a big East Asian megacity. I know this sounds insane to a lot of Americans, but I never learned how to drive. My people just don't need to where I'm from. Everyone walks, takes the subway or bus, and we take”

“How did MBA change your life? Did you take loan for your MBA? If you already completed MBA, knowing what you know now, would you do MBA again? Just want to know your honest experience and whether you feel MBA was worth it. submitted by /u/Interesting-Pair4234 [link] [comments]”

“I just started my MBA and idk if this is normal, but it constantly feels like everyone has something going on. Someone's doing a case comp, someone has an interview, someone is involved in clubs, someone is networking. And somehow they're managing classes too. Meanwhile I have classes, one assignment and maybe one other thing and the whole day is gone lol. At first I was trying to keep up with everything but I'm already realizing that's probably not going to work. Did anyone else”