Many MBA candidates struggle to define their long-term goals. Although short-term goals should be relatively specific, long-term goals can be broad and ambitious. Regardless of what your short- and long-term aspirations actually are, what is most important is presenting a clear \u201ccause and effect\u201d relationship between them. The admissions committee will have difficulty buying into a long-term goal that lacks grounding. However, do not interpret this to mean that you must declare your interest in an industry and then assert that you will stay in it for your entire career. You can present any career path that excites you\u2014again, as long as you also demonstrate a logical path to achieving your goals.<\/p>\n
For example, many candidates discuss having ambitions in the field of management consulting. Could an individual with such aspirations justify any of the following long-term goals?<\/p>\n
A) Climbing the ladder and becoming a partner in a consulting firm
\nB) Launching a boutique consulting firm
\nC) Leaving consulting to manage a nonprofit
\nD) Leaving consulting to buy a failing manufacturing firm and forge a \u201cturnaround\u201d
\nE) Entering the management ranks of a major corporation<\/p>\n