What to do?!

Hi,

I've already posted this on TSR, looking to guage a variety of responses elsewhere.

I work in retail banking for a small bank after graduating in accounting and finance 5 years ago from a mid tier UK university. I currently specialise in portfolio and risk management in a manager's role.

I wish to move into corporate finance, mergers and acquisition, wealth management or risk within an investment bank. Maybe consultancy within the Big4.

I'm considering bolstering my CV by the following options:

1) MSc in Economics from Bath (offer received) - study online part time

2) MSc in Mathematical Finance at York (conditional offered received - must complete pre-requisite course) - online part time.

3) MSc in Global Banking and Finance at King's College London (online part time)

4) MSc in Global Finance at CASS (online part time)

5) MSc finance at SOAS (online part time)

6) study CFA now but was thinking of doing it after completing my Masters. I believe I meet the pre-requisite work experience anyway so all I'd have to do is pass the exams and I could be made chartered instantly. Regardless of route I like to do my CFA. And then way down the line do an MBA (10+ years later).

Couple of concerns I have is the reputation of the above courses and universities. Which is 'better'? Bath is ranked highly in the UK and I am aware they are a semi targeted bank, but they rank poorly globally whereas Kings perform admirably on the international scene.

The other aspect is which I feel academically I lack is quant skills. Although I'm highly numerate and work with numbers all the time, I'm no mathematician. The course at York will be rigourous and challenging and feel I won't enjoy it. I will be constantly having to make up my gaps in my maths as I go along. I feel economics will provide enough of the quant skills on my CV without having to study a course in mathematics. Also as I have an undergrad degree in accounting and finance I wanted to add diversity to my profile by adding economics and not overlap with a finance MSc suggested above. The CFA should cover them anyway and intend to study this anyway. Would you suggest this is a good idea?

Apologies for long post, finding it difficult to choose an ideal route.

Thanks

 

Est rerum totam animi neque. Quod veritatis delectus ea quas placeat culpa autem. Et deleniti tempore qui autem cum.

Fuga ut architecto sit laudantium corporis illo vero possimus. Officiis quia voluptatem eos consequatur. Modi voluptatem nam aut quis. Qui est in est nemo numquam molestiae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.9%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 25 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 04 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • 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 (21) $373
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”