Category Archives: career

I just got an MBA in finance, but I have no experience, and can’t get a job. What should I do?

“I just got a MBA in Finance and now I don’t know what to do.  My experience has been mostly engineering so I have no finance experience, but I want to go into finance.  The economy sucks.  What should I do?”
–Adam

The Harvard MBA says:
Almost every employer prefers to hire employees with previous relevant experience, and […]

I switched to liberal arts to help find a girl; should I go back to engineering for my career?

Hi Mr. Harvard MBA, love your blog.  Sorry for a slightly longer question, but this is about my college/life and is both important to me and also utterly confused me as to what to do.  Basically, I go to a pretty good University.  Actually, one of the best in my country.  I’m doing Computer Science […]

Should I attend HBS or get a Masters in Finance from MIT?

“I have been admitted to both the HBS MBA and the MIT M.Fin.  I know I want a career in finance. Which one should I chose?”
–Edward
The Harvard MBA says:

Edward, congratulations on your achievement.  The good news is, there is no wrong answer.  You have two wonderful options.
I am not a finance expert (except for when […]

I have the boss from hell. What should I do?

“I have a job at a Fortune 500 company but I have the boss from hell who calls the women on his team “his harem” among other things. I have reported this and much more serious problems like the manipulation of territories to make the overall picture look better for himself. The money he is […]

Am I wasting my EE degree if I open a cafe/bakery?

I’m 22, just graduated from college with a BS in Electrical Engineering (DSP/Communications Concentration) from a respectable university. I’ve had a hard time finding a job in this recessionary economy, and something that I don’t see recovering anytime soon. So, I’ve been trading stocks in the meantime, but I’ve also looked at the possibility of […]

I’m 38 and have been unemployed for 2 years. What should I do to get my life back on track?

I am 38 years old - BS/BA in marketing - been unemployed now for 2 years - what do you think I should do?  I would like a MBA from a top-tier school but do not have the money.  What should I do to get my life rolling in the right direction?
–Mike
The Harvard MBA says:
Mike, […]

How Can I Get Into The Adult Film Industry?

I’m a pretty avid reader of “Adventures” and “Ask the Harvard MBA,” and so I was interested when I came across your recent post on the adult film industry (”Why I Love Pornography“).  I graduated from [redacted at asker’s request] this year, and currently I work for [redacted].  Since last year, I have been interested […]

Should I join my friends in a new medical startup instead of going to b-school?

I applied and was accepted to both Wharton and Stanford GSB. I only applied after my parents practically begged me to do so after my last business (real estate) failed.
Although I fully understand their concerns, I still remain upbeat about the future and undaunted by my failures. I believe my parents got a bit spooked […]

How many graduating Harvard MBAs start their own businesses?

How many of the students that graduate at HBS open their own business? You mentioned that recessions are a great time to open businesses, what kind of business do HBS students open or get into?
The Harvard MBA says:
The entrepreneurship bug bites a lot of Harvard MBAs.  It is estimated that over the course of their […]

Should I attend a lesser-known program where I have been offered a full scholarship, or a Top 100 school where I have to pay in full?

I got a stupid question, I am sure it is, but I would still really appreciate your help.
I am European and have to make a decision this week whether to do my MBA at a rather unknown, small University in California (accredited though) with a full scholarship or at a (lower) TOP100 Financial Times MBA […]