I am a soph at a non-target and I was doing an informational interview with a MD at a small bank in my college city (big midwestern city) which went well and I was at the office for over an hour. Over the course of talking with me he showed me the ACG website and how they had meetings/gatherings a couple times or at least once a month and was great for networking. He mentioned I should look into joining it and they might have a student rate.
Should I? I tried doing a search on here and couldn't find much info on it. Sounds cool but is obviously catered to people working in the industry. Access to the job board would be cool but I don't know what kind of internships/entry level postings they would have on there.
I'm going to be in NYC this summer, should I try to join that ACG? Would only be in the city for a couple months but I'd imagine it would be great.
Thoughts? Anyone join as a student?
Thanks
ACG is great to network within the Middle Market. I don't know if they give you a student rate, but member fees are not low and they are yearly, not monthly/temporary.
You could at least try to go to a meeting if they hold one while you're in town and ask for a student discount.
ACG activity will boost your professional profile.
Yes, I looked at the fees and they are rather hefty. But I could see it being a worthwhile investment possibly,
Bump.
Slight change of plans. Staying in my college city that has a chapter, still considering joining. I am going to study BIWS or WSP this summer to get my technicals down. Goal is to take the spring semester off and intern from January-April.
Then use that to launch board to NYC banking internship in the summer, probably unpaid as well.
So I'm thinking joining could be a good way to network? Sounds like they only have events once or twice a month, but the also have a directory. MD that I talked mentioned he could maybe sponsor me to get a cheaper rate (I think it is like $275 vs. $350).
Thanks!
sounds like a good opportunity
ACG professional Society (Originally Posted: 09/18/2013)
Hey there Monekys, I was wondering if any of you ever heard of/ had experiences with a professional society for M&A professionals called the Association for Corporate Growth. They have chapters across the World and they host a plethora of networking events. Have any of you guys had experiences at networking events through this organization? I am pending membership status and was referred to the organization by a Principal of a Boutique so idk hopefully the reference will help me get it in. But anyhoo any experiences?
I'm a member. Deal communities are a tight knit group in the MM on the local level. It really depends on the chapter. Some are better and more active than others.
The first thing to realize is that it tends to be dominated by service providers (attorneys, investment bankers, commercial bankers, other services). If you are looking for corporate contacts (i.e. CFO, Corp Dev), you aren't going to have a chance. There are also plenty of PE shops and mezz lenders that attend.
Could give you a good way to meet some people that you can follow up with and try to setup informational interviews. Ask the local director that coordinates events if you can volunteer.
@peinvestor2012 , Yea basically I want to join try and get some contacts network and try to get an internship that could lead to FT, that would be ideal in IB, Commercial banking. Ok I definately will ask the director if I can help out. Thanks for the insight I appreciate it.
Does that chapter have membership restrictions? At the one I'm part of, they let anyone in that pays the fee. And if they do have restrictions, try and find out who runs the chapter from an event planning standpoint. They generally are on the local chapter's website.
From my experience they are always willing to help out students and will even make some introductions for you when you arrive at events with members they think you should meet.
ACG's sustainability is dependent on younger participation. Baby boomers make up a good portion of exisiting membership, so the organization understands the need to engage the future dealmaking community. I
@peinvestor2012 , yea the local chapter im applying to is Boston so I needed to become a member and pay the 420 something to be a member I dont care about the fee, cause the fee if given an internship or FT will have been a great investment. It is also good to hear from a member that they encourage the younger generations to the profession.
My MD is a member and I have some experience with them. Our chapter has several networking events throughout the year. I was able to attend one last year, and its a great way to meet local professionals. As peinvestor said, the group will be dominated by service firms, but there are some PE and Mez guys sprinkled in as well. In addition to local chapter events, ACG organizes larger, multi-chapter meetings as well. ACG just had a large, multi-state networking event called The Great Lakes Capital Connection. There were nearly 700 firms in attendance. In addition to the meetings, ACG provides my MD with a newsletter, special pricing on certain services, webinars, etc.
@watdo , damn that sounds like what I need right now in terms of networking and getting an internship maybe this summer and could lead to a FT offer due to me graduating this summer class of 14'. Hope I get in haha.
I would be careful with the larger, regional capital connection and/or national events. Those are places where dealmakers are looking to connect with each other, meet new players, discuss opportunities, and catch up with professionals.
Our ACG Chapter had quite a few students (mostly MBA-level) last time and through observance, I could tell that plenty of people were getting a little annoyed. Inevitably, most students end up cornering professionals and talking to them for far too long.
If you are going to attempt networking through these events, try to keep the conversation brief and simply inquire if you can have a follow-up informational interview with them.
I would go like this:
1) Intro yourself 2) Ask what they do/firm does 3) Give your background/interest 4) Tell them you are conscious of their time and would like to follow up with a brief informational interview
Try to keep it to 3-5 mins per person.
Oh ok thanks for that and yea I would understand to not be a PIA.
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