Salary Diaries sheds light on the sometimes taboo and often mysterious topic of MBAs and money, including how people pay for their advanced degree and their salary after graduation and beyond.
This time, a Full-time MBA alumna leaves the construction industry for consulting and sees her salary jump over $100,000 upon graduation.
Full-time MBA Stats
MBA Program: Full-time MBA ‘23
Current Age: 29
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Undergraduate Major: Environmental Engineering
Pre-MBA Years of Work Experience: 5
Pre-MBA Industry: Construction
Pre-MBA Occupation: Associate Consultant
Pre-MBA Salary: $90,000
Salary Upon MBA Graduation: $192,000
Current Industry: Consulting
Current Occupation: Consultant
Current Salary: $192,000
Current City: Atlanta, GA
Why did you pursue an MBA?
I wanted to pivot out of my industry.
How did you finance your MBA?
I had a full graduate research assistantship (GRA) and used my savings and student loans to pay for my MBA.
What do you wish you knew about an MBA?
I didn’t know how much of a squeeze giving up a full-time income would be. I also wish I knew how much to save to enjoy the MBA experience instead of working with estimates of tuition and rent.
Is there anything you would have done differently when it comes to financing your MBA or optimizing your ROI?
I would have taken an internship in Atlanta rather than out of state.
Download: Full-time MBA Employment Report