Everyone loves posting success stories. Let's flip the script and hear about the best people you know who did not secure a SA or FT IB offer in undergrad or MBA. When I say best people, I am thinking along the lines of a 3.9 GPA target kid with 2 IB/PE internships who knew their technicals cold.
More importantly, why did these people fail to break in? Did they lack personality/come off in the wrong way? Was the market just terrible like in 2009?
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shit happens
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Yes, I am thinking about coming off as a "boring" person. For example, someone who likes to research stocks in their free time instead of watching football who comes off as "boring," or someone who is introverted and comes off as not enthusiastic/energetic.
Anyone who wants it bad enough can 'break into IB'. Be it in undergrad, post undergrad, or post MBA.
Those who don't break in probably gave up trying.
People speak of IB as if it were synonymous with achieving success in life. It's just a job
I agree just about anyone can eventually make it in, but I am curious to hear about people who failed to make it in through the two main ways (undergrad and MBA) despite having the qualifications.
This should come with a trigger warning.
I could only picture this happening if there was a personality issue. Maybe they thought they were the best and were condescending, impossible to teach and thought they were above menial tasks. On the flip side, maybe they were a bit too comfortable and had too much to drink at an event.
Personally know someone that has not made it despite top target, extreme networking and a ton of superdays. I think it is a mix between arrogance and coming off as a finance robot.
Bill Clinton, went on to be president
Plenty of people at my semi-target settled for no-name boutiques, even with the top of the class going to MBB/EB/BB. At the end of the day, there aren't enough spots for the amount of qualified and personable applicants.
^This
Finance is the most common major at many universities and I saw many qualified candidates fail to make it in IB from my semi-target
Most people who aren't in banking are happier, have better work life balance, if you come through these same schools, you'll also be easily making 6 figures within a a few years of graduation.
So joke's really on the bankers.
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