Route to Wall Street???

Hi guys I'm new to this site and moderately new to the world of IB. I'm starting my first year at college and I'm trying to prepare myself for the recruitment process, but I don't go to a target school. What interests should I pursue? What extracurricular activities? etc. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 
Best Response

Hey so I might be able to help, here's what I gathered being a recent grad, these are all the things I didn't do or tried to late in the game. I think "target schools" are expanding a bit, now most recruiting will still happen at the traditional target schools but my university still had Goldman employees and occasionally JP Morgan employees come give informational interviews and talks and networking events so the opportunity to meet and network is available beyond just traditional target schools, doesn't mean they won't favor traditional target schools over yours, but certainly better than a school that has nothing. Lets take care of the low hanging fruit. Your GPA should be 3.5 at the very minimum, closer to 4.0 if you want a bulge bracket to consider you. Your major should be Economics or Finance or something in the area but those two are most ideal. If there is a finance, capital markets, investment banking club or etc you should join it and probably seek out some kind of leadership role with in it. Other clubs and sports are good to have because people like working with interesting coworkers and if your life is centered around finance exclusively you'll probably be boring so there's that.. Network aggressively a push for having relevant internships freshman or sophomore year, even if you have to work for free. When you apply to the Ibanking internships they offer for rising seniors you want to have some kind of relevant work experience. Take some I banking prep course, train the street or wso's or whatever. Also, become a master at excel, it will be the difference between get 3 hours of sleep as an analyst and 6. If you can't break in to bulge bracket apply to local banks as well and try to move up after an MBA

 

Thanks for the advice this its a huge help; one more question: does it matter if I intern at a small boutique?? Will that hurt my chances? I'm asking because in my city, there aren't any big firms, but there are some boutique firms. Thanks again for the help, I greatly appreciate it!

 

Current junior at a semi-target that recently finished the recruiting process.

While its always nice to get an IB/finance internship freshman semester odds are you aren't going to get any. Thats just reality. Do anything you want during freshman summer, literally anything. You can just work at your local pizza shop and it won't matter.

Personally, do whatever you want freshman year its college. Have fun, but keep your GPA up (3.7+). If you start stressing yourself out now odds are you're gonna burn out before junior recruiting.

During freshman year, join a couple of clubs related to finance, talk to current upperclassman going through recruiting. Odds are these guys will become your interviewers by the time you are a junior.

Once sophomore year comes, now slowly start networking. Maybe aim for 1 call per week 1st semester then ramp it up to 2 calls per week 2nd semester. Then for the summer try to find a relevant finance internship (doesn't have to be IB, i didn't do it and was still fine.)

Good luck! And if you have any questions feel free to ask

 
rcontreras4:

I am a business finance major in a focus in investing and financial planningr at a cal state in California. I am new to this whole excitement about wall street. After watching the movie "the wolf of wall street" I had mixed feeling about wall street. not only the partying and alcohol but also the long hours of work. I do not mind working long hour as long as there is a huge payback. so what can I do with a bachelor's degree in business finance with a focus in investing and financial planning? ive herd a few like:

wealth manager

working for a financial group as a stock broker or bond salesman

corporate finance

any good ideas about what job I will be able to get with my degree I will get in the future? thank you and have a great day.

  1. I suggest improving your spelling, even in an online anonymous forum. Hint: Stay anonymous.
  2. Don't base your knowledge of an industry off of a movie. (What’s wrong with partying & alcohol?)

Concerns: You don't know much about the industry, I suggest you read everything you can on this site and try to learn about all the different aspects of finance. You go to a state school and there are very few schools in CA, let alone CSU's, that have a reputable business programs. From the statement you made,

rcontreras4:

I do not mind working long hour as long as there is a huge payback.

Why should you receive a "huge" paycheck just because you work long hours? You have to be skilled at what you do to receive a "huge" paycheck.

I recommend getting the best GPA possible. If you can't get a great GPA then drop the "focus" no one really cares about a minor, emphasis or focus. Just get a degree with a damn good GPA. If you want to work in finance I suggest getting an internship in finance. I'm sure your career center at your school can help you out.

 

Thanks for the advice. Now when talking about a great gpa is that to get the job because technically your gpa doesn't really mean you could do a better job than someone how has a gpa below a 3.0. just wondering. Also, you mentioned that my school most likely doesn't have a reputable business program will that play a huge factor in getting into finance? thank you for your input I really appreciate it.

 

Ok so, check out what @"Marcus_Halberstram" posted, the best thread on this issue... //www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/ug-recruiting-part-i-how-a-resume-becomes-an-interview

I have already given him a SB, you should do the same. This is one of the best threads on this issue. READ.

Besides this, in my personal life & on this site... GPA is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, you could be a liberal arts major with a 4.00 or a finance major with a 2.00, I would take the 4.00 student & I feel many others would feel the same. GPA shows you care about things, you are focused on the task at hand & you want to make a good impression....

Listen, I did not have a 4.00 and I have seen many amazing employees & co-workers who had farrrrrr below a 4.00 which exceeded (as far as potential & work completed) the 4.00 student... So competence is greater than GPA of course.

But as far as resume/interview/first impression, the higher the GPA, the easier it is to get connected.

 

Et non quia recusandae. Et distinctio labore consequuntur quia excepturi laboriosam. Ipsa saepe illum magnam esse ullam. Ab dignissimos quos fuga et.

Possimus iusto blanditiis explicabo autem aliquid ratione sapiente. Quo ut qui et quo pariatur quo. Tenetur enim provident doloremque quibusdam facere tenetur. Sequi doloremque dicta consequuntur quo quibusdam vitae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”