Advice during life crisis

Hey everybody,

I'm a long time creeper and advice taker on this site, but I've hit a wall and need some personal advice.

My mom got diagnosed with cancer and isn't supposed to make it very long(some weeks). It just so happened that she was admitted to the hospital the same time I was supposed to start my MBA in London, which was a month ago, so if course I had to stay.

The MBA program isn't very notable, in fact they didn't demand a gmat score, but they are very close to and have employment link with canary wharf. I graduated with a bachelors in international business and management (low GPA: 2.87) at an avg. American university, I speak 2 languages at working proficiency, and 2 others limited working proficiency. I've been working with my family's company in Europe as a regional operations manager, doing product development, logistics, and distribution. It sounds fun to most but I don't make any money, live off what my dad gives me, and I deal with 40-50 year olds so the social life is non-existent. I'm getting the serious itch to start my own life because I feel like I'm wasting time.

I have a few options and I'd like some advice. I can defer my MBA till next September. I can try to get an internship where I live in Florida, or maybe a job. I can study the GMAT and see if I get a good enough score to get into a better university.

At this point, I don't know what to do. I would honestly work minimum wage at a financial firm to get experience and get my mind off things, that's how badly I want to move on. Do you think id have a shot at an analyst spot somewhere without an MBA or finance experience and a low GPA?

What would you do?

 
Best Response

First of all, I'm sorry to hear about your mother's diagnosis.

I think it will be very difficult for you to obtain an analyst position at a major financial institution with the background you describe. You might be able to get a position at a smaller boutique (Note: not the same as an "elite" boutique such as Lazard, Greenhill, etc.) but that is not going to be easy either.

Your best bet is to go through an MBA program. Whether you want to defer the program you have been accepted to or go through the process of re-applying to schools is up to you.

One question you ask yourself is where do you want to geographically be located? I'm getting the sense that it's either Europe or the US (Florida). The grades are a little bit on the low side, but they matter less and less the longer you have been out of school (they still matter, however).

 

I had a 3.37 going into my senior year, then things went down hill with family issues and relocation... Would I have a shot at getting an internship at a smaller IB? My dream would be Milan, because I hold an Italian passport and have experience there, but I'd be willing to go anywhere in Europe or America. Where would be the best opportunity? Or is the MBA program still my best option?

 

Est et perferendis error impedit et. Ea omnis voluptates nemo nesciunt ex ratione optio. Excepturi perspiciatis nesciunt eius dolor nisi aspernatur dolorem quia. Unde fugiat deserunt commodi velit accusantium laboriosam.

Non est porro cum quia. Id necessitatibus qui non aspernatur nemo deserunt. Repellat dolores et dolor officia minus dolores. Soluta ex iste beatae quia nihil sit non harum. Asperiores deserunt quae omnis quo enim incidunt deserunt.

Facere amet est vitae quaerat et. Sit deserunt quam recusandae animi quia. Voluptatum sunt soluta accusamus quo. Omnis dolores commodi et et et voluptates. Quia nihil est consequatur culpa amet.

Eum ea tenetur illo porro doloremque laborum. Dolorem deleniti voluptas laudantium fuga saepe. Ut voluptatum esse illo totam. Autem delectus nostrum dolores excepturi enim.

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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”