Advice on a FLDP/rotation program offer

Hello all, this is my first WSO post, been lurking for a few months now.

I am currently a senior set to graduate in May 2015 at a non-target SEC school. I am looking to break into corporate finance upon graduation, and am interested in a finance rotation program.

I know the programs offered by places like Johnson & johnson, GE, Disney, etc. are fairly competitive, but I am curious about some of the other programs offered. As far as recruiting goes, what are the chances of getting offers from places that do not come to OCR at my school, i.e. applying online (also keeping in mind that most of the positions are filled by previous interns)?

Any insight to skills I should possess for an analyst/treasury role would also be appreciated!

Thanks

 
Best Response

As far as skills go, you should have a solid foundation in accounting/finance that you can build on. You should have a strong understanding of Excel basics, too. They'll still likely teach you everything you need to know.

It's possible to get a job at places that don't OCR, but it depends on several things. Is your GPA above 3.5? Do you have strong ECs? Are you a fin/acct major? Is your school reputable/well known? If yes to all these, you probably have a shot.

It's also a good idea to take a look at your alumni database and reach out to anyone working at the company/department you're interested in. If you don't see anyone, start reaching out to randoms on LinkedIn. If you make a good impression, you'll probably get to a first round interview.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

Thanks for the advice.

As far as my GPA goes, it is below a 3.5, but above a 3.0. I am an Fin. major with solid ECs and 2-3 internships. My school is probably about middle of the pack in the SEC (Tenessee, Kentucky, South Car.), so it is not exactly 'well known' but does have a solid alumni base.

I am aware that my GPA will be my main hurdle in landing the interviews, but I'm just curious about some of the programs offered by higher F500 companies or even F1000 and who they generally hire.

I hear companies generally start recruiting in the fall, so I assume the sooner the better in terms of reaching out to alumni/employees on linkedin?

 

If you have a solid alumni base who can vouch for you, a 3.0+ GPA won't matter, that's just to help you get in the door.

what are the chances of getting offers from places that do not come to OCR at my school

Highly dependent on which alumni you reach out to (company and title).

I'm not familiar though with any company who does a FLDP outside of Fortune 200.

I would also start reaching out right now so you can be the first to get your foot in the door. The more early interest, the better.

 

There are several outside the F200 and some non-F500 companies that run their own programs.

OP, the WSO guide to finance development programs has a decent sized list of companies and their programs

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 
SocratesIsMortal:

If you have a solid alumni base who can vouch for you, a 3.0+ won't matter, that's just to help you get in the door.

This, and having good social skills in general will help. Usually the recruiters are from the program and chances are they are going to care less about a near 4.0 GPA in comparison to someone who's better to be around 40+ hours a week.

 

Thanks for the replies guys

I'm currently interning in London for the summer so it is somewhat difficult to get in contact with people outside of email, which I am going to start doing; is mid August an acceptable time to start doing heavy networking for the programs?

 

Deserunt repellendus distinctio eaque facilis odit. Molestias dignissimos velit sequi doloremque sunt ut. Praesentium dolorem ipsam animi architecto quasi nihil sunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 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 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 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

April 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

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”