Pre-MBA Skill-Building Opportunities
“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”
— ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL
Before You Apply
In addition to building your resume and LinkedIn presence, as you begin the process of preparing to apply to business school, investing your time in programs that both prepare you for an MBA program as well as potentially offset any application weaknesses can make a big difference. There are a variety of programs and opportunities specifically for the military community that can be helpful additions to your resume. Our team is happy to discuss these opportunities and provide guidance on the best way to use your time and energy as you prepare your MBA applications.
Corporate Mentorship
Over the years many of our clients have enjoyed building mentor relationships through American Corporate Partners. We highly recommend this free mentorship program as a way to explore career opportunities and build new networks outside the military.
Resume and LinkedIn
Google Skill Videos for Transitioning Service Members
Google Education has a series of skill-building videos specifically for transitioning service members. If you are starting from scratch on a resume, the resume tutorial is a great way to begin the process of building a custom resume. In addition, there are videos on workplace skills like communication and digital project management.
Michael Quinn has put together a tremendous resource for veterans and transitioning service members looking to build a LinkedIn presence for the first time. While some of the information here applies more to those going directly into the private sector (vs. an MBA as the first transition point), this is a great foundation for thinking about LinkedIn and your digital post-military presence.
Pre-MBA Skill-Building and Academic Programs for Veterans
Google VetNet Career Week Held annually in June.
Breakline Be sure to check out their classes on Networking, Interviewing and Salary Negotiation!
Pre-MBA Quantiative Skill-Building
HBS Online CORe Anyone transitioning from the military with sights set on HBS should strongly consider HBS Online CORe (in fact this is a very valuable pre-MBA skill-building program regardless of your target schools!). Active duty military are eligible for scholarships which reduces the cost by more than half!
GMAC/Kaplan Business Fundamentals More affordable than CORe and new to the pre-mba space, the Business Fundamentals courses are an affordable, easy way to build foundational skills prior to an MBA.
MBAmath.com This is a great resource for anyone wanting to strengthen their quant skills pre-MBA. Many schools will recommend this for waitlisted applicants and, if you are applying with a lower than average test score or GPA, this is also a smart time investment pre-application.
Post-Acceptance, Pre-MBA Opportunities
Just when you thought you were done with applications! It is hard to believe but eventually the application process does end (!) and you will be well on your way to starting an MBA program. The following resources are internship programs and/or seminars available to incoming MBAs or first year students. These programs are a fantastic way to gain private sector experience and test out new industries and functional job roles. Most Pre-MBA opportunities have program application deadlines in the summer.
Pre-MBA Internship for Veterans:
Bain & Company: ExperienceBain
Application Deadline: May
Wells Fargo: Pre-MBA Diversity Event
Target Audience: First Year MBAs: military veterans, women, underrepresented minorities, LGBTQ
Application Deadline: August
Target Audience: First year MBAs: merit fellowships available for military veterans
Application deadline: end of June
Credit Suisse: Investment Banking and Capital Markets Pre-MBA Diversity Program
Target Audience: Military veterans, Women, LGBTQ, persons with disabilities and Black, Hispanic and Native American candidates
Application deadline: early June
Goldman Sachs Veteran Integration Program
This is not a specific pre-MBA program but would be worth considering for someone with a gap between separation and MBA start date.
Pre-MBA Internship Opportunities Open to ALL Incoming MBAs
McKinsey: Early Access Program and McKinsey: Global Connect
Target Audience: All incoming MBA students
Application deadline: May
Oliver Wyman: MBA Summer Reception
Target Audience: All incoming MBA students
Application deadline: July
Consumer Products Goods (CPG) Camp (Online Boot Camp)
Target Audience: All incoming MBAs
Procter & Gamble: MBA Brand Management Camp
Target Audience: All incoming MBAs
Application deadline: June
Procter & Gamble: MBA Finance and Accounting Camp
Target Audience: All incoming MBA students
Application deadline: June
Boston Consulting Group (BCG): BCG Fellows Program
Target Audience: All incoming MBAs
Application deadline: May
Deloitte: Meet Deloitte Consulting
Target Audience: All incoming MBAs
Application deadline: end of May