Hi,

I have a M.S./B.S. degree on chemical engineering and it has been approx. 3yrs now (29yr old, North Asian, Male) that I worked as a product development role in a global chemical company in North Asia.
I'm very interested in career changing to a consultant, but not necessarily fixed. I'm mainly interested in general management or Int'l biz relations. I hear great stories that some engineers actually do succeed in these kind of cases. Here's some questions for you.

1. Should it be more challanging for engineering career background applicant like myself be accepted to MBA programs than those with business backgrounds?

2. What are highly recommended programs(US/Europe) for my type of background?

3. I heard Cornell or some schools offer a one-year MBA program for students with graduate school degrees. Are these programs competitive with other regular two year programs?

Thanks!!

Hello, hjung,

In terms of the chances of being admitted into an MBA program, it doesn't really matter that you have an engineering background versus a background in business. Generally, schools look for both types of candidates, as well as people with other academic backgrounds. Schools like their student bodies to be as diverse as possible.

I don't think any particular school is particularly fit to your background. You just have a very standard background for an MBA candidate, so any good MBA would be good for you.

I'm afraid I can't answer your last question. I don't know about those programs.

Hi, hjung,

I would recommend you a top ranked MBA in Europe or US.
Few of them are 1 year in the US, and more in Europe.

Focus you efforts in the top of the table and those schools that are more recognized among the recruiters you may target.
TOP schools in Europe: Insead, LBS, IESE, ESADE, HEC.
Also one year in the US: Cornell and Kellog.


I'm very interested in career changing to a consultant, but not necessarily fixed. I'm mainly interested in general management or Int'l biz relations. I hear great stories that some engineers actually do succeed in these kind of cases. Here's some questions for you.

1. Should it be more challanging for engineering career background applicant like myself be accepted to MBA programs than those with business backgrounds?

2. What are highly recommended programs(US/Europe) for my type of background?

3. I heard Cornell or some schools offer a one-year MBA program for students with graduate school degrees. Are these programs competitive with other regular two year programs?