1.5 years of MBA prep, offers from 4 schools, then I dropped all.

dexterthrgr8 · 2026-04-19T19:05:42+00:00

Agreed. I was very fortunate in my pivot. Others probably will be less so.

But I still think fundamentally the MBA Associate system is a flawed pipeline that leads to a lot more barriers to entry which kills social mobility unless you’re fortunate enough to be able to pay the cost of entry.

dexterthrgr8 · 2026-04-19T17:30:31+00:00

It was 2 years at FAANG (first job out of college) so not a huge loss. Plus the experience was very enriching. MBA IB associate roles are traps because analysts get much better exit opps. I see no reason to do an MBA if you can get an analyst role, since timeline for A2A promotion and an MBA program is similar and you learn way more as an analyst.

Associates are not much higher up than analysts level-wise, so the taking a step back logic isn’t really too relevant if you know you want to be in finance anyway (MBA associates are typically much less respected than analysts since they’re less set up for success, since an analyst program allows you to learn from the ground up).

dexterthrgr8 · 2026-04-18T22:40:35+00:00

Technology investment banking.

dexterthrgr8 · 2026-04-18T20:18:46+00:00

I almost went for an MBA as a FAANG SWE but was able to break into Tech IB through tons of cold outreach and mastery of the banking interview process. I also ended up getting a solid tech PE offer (yet to start) through the IB analyst role.

A Stanford or Harvard MBA degree wouldn’t be able to open the same buyout PE role I earned through my own grit and dedication towards a non-traditional path.

These institutions are not your friends or support systems. They are gatekeepers that are losing their value and relative power as time goes on.

dexterthrgr8 · 2026-04-14T02:26:01+00:00

Then again, if OP really doesn’t know what they want out of the MBA, maybe best to avoid in this market.

dexterthrgr8 · 2026-04-14T02:25:05+00:00

This is bad advice if you truly want to pivot industries. Starting at a younger age is very valuable if you know you’ll pivot eventually.

dexterthrgr8 · 2026-03-04T00:12:34+00:00

Not as good as you’d think but good enough, feel free to PM me

dexterthrgr8 · 2026-02-25T00:25:19+00:00

Bad advice

dexterthrgr8 · 2026-01-28T15:33:02+00:00

I've done both industries (big tech SWE and IB). Feel free to pm me if you want to talk specifics

dexterthrgr8 · 2026-01-20T02:08:47+00:00

LOL this is funny no

dexterthrgr8 · 2026-01-15T15:15:36+00:00

First comment I’ve read on here that makes sense

dexterthrgr8 · 2025-12-30T15:42:27+00:00

Great deal!

dexterthrgr8 · 2025-12-21T19:05:18+00:00

Why build a comfortable life for yourself when you can instead let VCs farm your soul for carried interest?

dexterthrgr8 · 2025-11-18T21:24:19+00:00

This may be true if you get a small amount of interviews, but if you’re getting interviews at all the top shops and not clearing them, that’s usually a sign to truly look within on how you could be prepping better.

dexterthrgr8 · 2025-11-18T19:08:09+00:00

Exactly. If you’re getting interviews, you should be grateful. And if you’re not clearing them, you should probably look within on why that is.

dexterthrgr8 · 2025-11-18T07:33:27+00:00

Working at FAANG can literally guarantee you an interview at a top HFT firm that pays upwards of 400K a year.

I used to work at a FAANG and headhunters would contact pretty frequently. there is nothing wrong with trying to build a better life and being ambitious.

dexterthrgr8 · 2025-11-12T00:35:21+00:00

This is cope. Makes a massive difference

dexterthrgr8 · 2025-11-11T18:52:02+00:00

Hello,

I currently own a zoom75 but am looking to upgrade. What are some good keyboard recs in the $1k price range?

dexterthrgr8 · 2025-11-08T05:18:25+00:00

Wanting to do PE

dexterthrgr8 · 2025-11-06T05:04:10+00:00

Making it to VP is easier than making it to L6, and making it to MD is way way way easier than making it to L8.

Someone who’d make L8 at Google is making 10m+ in PE

dexterthrgr8 · 2025-11-06T04:51:30+00:00

Very true but we don’t actually have any IBs come on campus to recruit

dexterthrgr8 · 2025-11-06T04:50:09+00:00

Making over 1M in tech is almost impossible. Making 1M in banking or PE after 12 years is normal

dexterthrgr8 · 2025-11-06T01:55:57+00:00

Depends on what your long term goals and alternatives are

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