Can international students in Australia break into IB?

Hi folks,

I'm currently a sophomore at a non-target in Australia. I have maintained a good GPA, have done one M&A brokerage internship (deal sourcing) last summer. And I will intern at a boutique this summer.

However, my school is operated in non-Australian timeline, which means I will have summer break in May-Aug instead of Dec-Feb like other colleges in Australia. And that would make SA recruiting in Australia impossible. I'm thinking about applying for FT without SA but my chance of landing IB gig in such way would be very tough.

I'm looking to other places that compatible with my school timeline like Singapore but it's very competitive. Probably targets and semi-targets students recruited in US will fill SA class Singapore office.

And doing IB in my home country is out of the question, poor dealflow and small deal size, and there are only 2 BBs have offices in my country but they have very small teams. Not to mention the comp from doing IB in my own country would not help me paying my student debt at all.

I'm seeking advices from you guys, what should I do now?

 
Best Response

There's nothing stopping you from applying for SA positions abroad and I know many who have from Australia. I would say that you should have a look at opportunities in Hong Kong and Singapore in particular due to their close proximity to Australia and relatively lax visa policies.

Also definitely look into off-cycle internships at BBs in Sydney. I'm not sure how formalised this process is, but do some networking and see if there are any opportunities available.

 

Et fuga neque saepe perferendis. Dicta et est temporibus accusamus est reprehenderit. Deserunt tenetur rerum quae illum.

Debitis nihil expedita voluptates hic et totam quas culpa. Eius sed et maiores qui vel minus. Molestias illo facilis qui qui. Dolorem animi cumque dolorum aut reprehenderit autem. Sunt nesciunt est perferendis eos. Sit qui corrupti aut debitis nostrum illo cupiditate. Ducimus enim hic nihil ducimus quia ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 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

May 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

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
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...”