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Advice appreciated re: study abroad/SA conundrum
 

DavidvanPatten's picture
IB
 
Points)
 on 7/28/08 at 3:38pm

So I have a bit of a problem, and was wondering if you all had some advice on the matter. I am a rising junior at a semi-target with a pretty good GPA, pretty solid internship experience (ML GPC, DKIB LevFin), and several leadership positions in relevant extracurriculars (for what they are worth).

I will be undertaking the general course at LSE next year (a full year commitment), and am wondering how I would best go about applying for SA positions for 2009. Looks like I wont be able to attend the career fairs (although my school is not a traditional target, GS, ML, Citi and MS recruit there), interviews etc, and am skeptical of the whole website resume-drop process. I know this is a real open-ended question, and I apologize, but would really appreciate advice on the matter. And just for full disclosure, I am aiming for the BBs in NYC.

Thanks guys and gals!

Tags:
Alphaholic's picture

Depends

CO
 
Points)
 on 7/28/08 at 4:01pm

How badly do you want investment banking? If it's your life's goal (ha), then stay behind and focus on continuing to build your network here.

Me personally, I'd take the chance to study at LSE (that's awesome). A few things to consider:

1. Could you resume drop even though your abroad to the recruiters coming to your school? Your best bet is to get in contact with the recruiters that will be coming to your school.

2. Talk to some career counselors, they will be able to help. Personally I think an awesome study abroad opportunity should always be taken, especially if this isn't "it" for you. I went abroad to Oxford my junior year summer instead of SAing, which some might consider a bad idea, and it's made the IBD search a little tough, but it has opened alot of doors at buyoutside places.

DavidvanPatten's picture

thanks alot for the

IB
 
Points)
 on 7/28/08 at 4:23pm

thanks alot for the advice...although it may not be my life goal, at this point ill do anything to break into IB. Just as a clarification though, Im absolutely going to LSE, and it wont occupy my summer (term ends late may 09), so iI guess in terms of scheduling, it wont necessarily preclude SAing.

I'll def pursue your tips though, cheers.

wso1021's picture

I'm dealing with the exact

O
 
Points)
 on 7/28/08 at 9:09pm

I'm dealing with the exact same situation. I want to go abroad next spring and wouldn't be able to participate in any sort of in-person interview processes. I'm going to talk to the carrer people at my school and see if any of my bank contacts can pull some strings. While I wouldn't say going abroad makes you ineligible for BB recruiting, it's definitely going to put you a step below those that recruiters can meet in person. We'll see what happens. Where there's a will, there's a way.

tuaj's picture

"While I wouldn't say going

IB
 
Points)
 on 7/28/08 at 10:10pm

"While I wouldn't say going abroad makes you ineligible for BB recruiting, it's definitely going to put you a step below those that recruiters can meet in person."

Keeping in mind that if you don't go to a target you're at an even greater disadvantage. I'm in the same position as you and I think I'm going to pass on a year in LSE.

computerblue's picture

Don't be discouraged. I

O
 
Points)
 on 7/28/08 at 10:29pm

Don't be discouraged. I went abroad my junior year spring and never regretted it. I did most of my interviews before I left during the fall semester, although some firms insisted on conducting things by phone during the regular SA process in the spring. All you have to do is reach out to firms immediately when school starts out in September and be persistent in letting them know your situation. I would look at like working as hard to find a job as a senior gunning for FT stuff. Many firms have early interview superdays in December for people in your situation. I know that GS, ML, and Citi have them. Granted, I went to a top target on the East Coast, so my access to people was a bit better than yours. Still, I don't think something like this should discourage a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

matchbox39's picture

I went to a complete

IB
 
Points)
 on 7/28/08 at 11:41pm

I went to a complete non-target (albeit tier 1, but no banks recruit here), and was also in the same conundrum. I wanted to go abroad to SA/Africa, but also did not want to miss out on recruiting/interviewing.

I ended up staying, and was able to get interviews at most of the BBs and several MM banks, and was able to land a few offers. As someone said above, being at a non-target makes much more difficult to get early interviews, as most of the BBs are not going to make offers to a non-target before they go to targets, which is generally from Jan-March.

I began interviewing in late December all the way till March, though I had my offers in hand by early Feb. This would obviously conflict with study abroad programs. The other kids in my bank who went to targets were able to go abroad their Fall semester, though I spent most of that semester networking to get interviews and such.

It's not an easy decision - and I do sometimes regret not going abroad. But at the same time, given the current market, I could have easily been internship-less which would not bode to well for FT recruiting.

kil's picture

Why not London?

IB
(Chimp, 11
 
Points)
 on 7/29/08 at 3:24am

Why don't you aim for internships in BBs in London? Since you'll be there and all.

x's picture

I agree with Kil. you might

O
(Baboon, 112
 
Points)
 on 7/29/08 at 6:43am

I agree with Kil. you might actually have an easier time getting an internship in London from LSE then fro NY from a semi target.

DavidvanPatten's picture

thanks for the feedback

IB
 
Points)
 on 10/8/08 at 1:03pm

thanks for the feedback guys, but i think i might have posted the question too early; i guess its more pertinent now. i hate to do it, but bump.

DavidvanPatten's picture

oh and i'm now focusing on

IB
 
Points)
 on 10/8/08 at 1:05pm

oh and i'm now focusing on MMs (Harris Williams, HLHZ, FBR etc), but am still shooting for BBs (nothing ventured, nothing gained)

Gini's picture

Dude, you'll be in

ST
(Baboon, 134
 
Points)
 on 10/10/08 at 1:21pm

Dude, you'll be in London...at the LSE!!! You'll get to do all the BB recruiting there. The LSE is one of the top targets in Europe for recruiting, so don't stress. You could very well be in a much better position than if you stayed at your school, no matter if you want a US or UK position. You really shouldn't worry about this at all.

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