Does pre-MBA work experience count?

A: Though the MBA is highly vocational in nature in that it provides training in general management or, via, a specialised MBA or elective concentration, in a particular discipline, it is still an academic degree. As such, some recruiters treat it more as a sign of having attained a certain level of academic and intellectual attainment than as training for a particular job.

Classic recruiters of MBA graduates such as management consultants and investment banks (though their recruitment has been severely curtailed in recent years) have traditionally acted in this way. Having recruited an MBA graduate they would typically put him or her through a lengthy and detailed induction process. Even so, they will still look at your previous work experience.

In other industries, your background work experience may be seen as much more important. One view might be, for example, that an MBA is simply icing on the cake and that your having worked six or seven years in a particular discipline or function such an engineering might be what makes you attractive.

This, of course, can make it difficult for graduates who want to change their career. One of the best ways to do this is via the internship in the middle of a two-year programme or project work in a shorter MBA. Getting some experience of the area you want to change to is good for you and signals your interest and commitment to recruiters.

So, in short, recruiters will take great interest in what you have done in the past.