Alright Kiddies
Long time reader, new poster - first and foremost, thank you to the users who take the time to offer constructive feedback/criticism/stories of the past, etc. You fellas know who you are (Eddie, Midas, Monty,Anthony, Comp, Illini, Gekko and obviously Patrick for creating the site - this list is by no means exhaustive, just an example of people truly here to get shit done and contribute).
I am just going to throw this out there - but if I have to read one more fucking post of some pimple face kid asking what bank has better hours, pay, exit ops, grad school placement, mightgetyoulaid, etc. I am going to jump out of my building. If you are asking about hours, look into another career kids. I don't care if you are the star analyst on GS TMT or an analyst at GULP Jefferies - you are going to have days where you don't go home (which you should appreciate, since you are probably working on a fucking deal). Monkeys - your experiences are what YOU make of them. Stop worrying about the kid you know that went the GS TMT->KKR->HBS->BSD. Sure, brand name helps. Stop posting the linkedin pages of freaks of nature (sure it is cool to view, but stop bitching how you are jealous). Yeah, they did 7 internships at BB's before they were 18 - but do you think they ever had fun? Think they got laid? Think they know how to run game? NO.
When it's all said and done, if you get IB experience at GS or the middle market, you can compete with people you view to be superior. I myself am a non-target, ex middle-market banker who worked my fucking tail off to VC. I am by no means "average" - was a division 1 athlete and held many leadership roles, but.... Being REAL and networking got me relevant internships (IB, hedge fund) and allowed me to leverage relationships that matter much more than having HYP on my resume. Stop selling yourself short - interviewers want someone they can be side by side in the trenches with @ 4 am crushing an excel model or binding a pitchbook, not some fucking mute that started 5 companies and got a 1600 on their SAT.
Midas made a nice thread of pointing out what NOT to do on this site. Clearly, some of you fuckers are blind like that guy from JPM (too soon - but at least I'd have a beer with him) or you are that naive that you think because you go to HYP you are better than the non target kid with a heart like Rocky.
Regardless - it's Friday, and for some reason I am in the mood to call it how it is. Feel free to ask away on the non target route - maybe I can give some more tangible experience than the gentleman that shared his route from MS --> KKR the other day (and how refreshing to realize he doesn't have his head rammed up his ass and is willing to help).







Damn, that was some quality
Damn, that was some quality real talk. Greatness.
Check out my WSO Blog
I'm not really looking at the
I'm not really looking at the NYC non-target route, but I appreciate what you're doing here. Props on getting the banking gig and on being able to say you've lived life a little as well.
"WSO is like the 300 for anti spamage. None shall pass." -happypantsmcgee
"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer
@ mas - the NYC non-target
@ mas - the NYC non-target route is just an option in the world of banking. Sure, NYC is the financial hub of the US - but there are many other equally attractive options. The minute you stop living life, is the minute working is no longer worth it. Why make 6 figures + at 21 years old and be a fuckin hermit?
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
Thank you for saying that. I
Thank you for saying that. I know that don't bother reading half the topics that have that sort of vibe to them.
Definitely valid points. Between the PM Ettiquite and the Dos and Don'ts of WSO explaining what prospective monkeys should and shouldn't do, I'm surprised that people didn't pay close attention to them.
There's a reason why there's a search function. Learn to use it and love it.
JimmyDormandy wrote: @ mas -
@ mas - the NYC non-target route is just an option in the world of banking. Sure, NYC is the financial hub of the US - but there are many other equally attractive options. The minute you stop living life, is the minute working is no longer worth it. Why make 6 figures + at 21 years old and be a fuckin hermit?
Oh yea, I'm with you 100%. I mean, I took about 3 years off after high school (well, more or less) and just worked and lived. I had a GREAT time, met people I wouldn't have had the opportunity to and gotten in situations I probably never would have found myself in if I'd gone straight into IB or something similar. I'd highly advise people taking a year off school between HS and college to work and live, and in general see how the world works outside of the bubble they'd been living in. While I am older and I do occasionally kick myself for not going straight to school, 95% of the time I'm thankful that not only did I take that time off, but now I have the opportunity to go back to school.
Believe me, I spent a year working at Starbucks where I walked 1.5 miles to work and 1.5 miles from work every day to make 8.50 an hour and try and pay bills. I eventually moved up and got a job for ~$25k/year, which is a HUGE step up, about a 50% increase in pay. That sure as shit motivated my ass to get in gear.
Appreciate the post and best of luck to ya!
"WSO is like the 300 for anti spamage. None shall pass." -happypantsmcgee
"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer
@ Frieds and TheKing - you
@ Frieds and TheKing - you are some quality gentlemen as well. The list on the original post was by no means inclusive, just an example of quality posters, etc.
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
Jimmy, Thanks. Really. As for
Jimmy,
Thanks. Really. As for the non-target route, I have a BS & MS in unrelated topics from non-target state schools. Anyway... wondering your thoughts on trying to apply for internships at boutiques or trying to grab "BO/MO" compliance gigs at bigger names?
Looking to get foot in the door to Front Office/Entry Level Consulting work in ~2 years time in any way, shape or form...
"Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish"
So much truth.
So much truth.
dmcd - internship is probably
dmcd - internship is probably the most important thing you can do right now, as you have no tangible finance experience (and will competing with target / non target kids that do). Do research in your area, offer free services @ boutiques - this way you can develop a thorough understanding of the business. Check out local PWM in your aread w/ brand name and walk into the place - show them you have the drive to do something other than ASK for the job, earn it!
People on here like to shit on BO/MO compliance gigs (I was never interested in these) but again - it is all about what you want to do and what you MAKE of the opportunity. If you can do trade settlement @ JPM - don't bitch, get the gig and network with the Front Office guys. If they don't want to help you, fuck them and move on - regardless of where you go, you will find people that will lend a hand. Don't sell yourself short - exude confidence and be proactive and I guarantee you will be on here sooner than later returning the favor.
Look @ this forum - people here do not know each other, but give advice that without it, probably would not get you a job.
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
Jimmy, STFU you idiot. I'm
Jimmy, STFU you idiot.
I'm just kidding. I too am sick and tired of only seeing threads that ask people to rank firms/hours/pay, talk shit about non targets, and generally ask how to get a job.
You're born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you're up in the rarefied atmosphere and you've forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the layer cake, son.
Hey Jimmy, I was wondering if
Hey Jimmy,
I was wondering if you could tell me how to break into banking from a non-target!? How prestigious were your grades and test scores? What were exit opps like for your coworkers!? What color suit should I wear to get me into the BB?
...just fucking with you man. Welcome to the forums, looking forward to some seemingly level-headed posts from you.
Nouveau Richie wrote: What
What color suit should I wear to get me into the BB?
Hold on now. This is a legit question.
Jimmy, what suits do we wear? I have been wearing pink sear sucker and have not seen any success.
You're born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you're up in the rarefied atmosphere and you've forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the layer cake, son.
@ Richie - I'd slick my hair
@ Richie - I'd slick my hair back and wear neon knee pads, bc you know you aren't getting that job from a non target unless you are like the chick from the original "Deep Throat"
ALSO: anyone who asks about wearing a vest - let me settle this now. Since you haven't seen Superbad due to you locking yourself in your basement jacking off to Linkedin profiles - "Take that vest off, you look like Aladdin."
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
Nefarious - pair that pink
Nefarious - pair that pink sear sucker with white loafers from Aldo - you will have more offers than you know what to do with.
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
bump
bump
JimmyDormandy
You're born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you're up in the rarefied atmosphere and you've forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the layer cake, son.
You need a white belt that
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
Tuxedo. Nothing says class
"WSO is like the 300 for anti spamage. None shall pass." -happypantsmcgee
"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer
JimmyDormandy wrote: dmcd -
"Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish"
JimmyDormandy wrote: You need
You're born, you take shit. You get out in the world, you take more shit. You climb a little higher, you take less shit. Till one day you're up in the rarefied atmosphere and you've forgotten what shit even looks like. Welcome to the layer cake, son.
JimmyDormandy wrote: Stop
Brown_Bateman
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
JimmyDormandy wrote: Stop
Guest1655
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
Yeah, shitting on non-targets
Nefarious-
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
Great post Jimmy. There are a
- Capt K -
"Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham
CaptK wrote: Great post
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
What a great Friday post,
Mad respect for this
Welcome to the mad house. SB.
"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
Jimmy, I have some serious
OP you mentioned Harvard Yale
blastoise, I think it was a
"WSO is like the 300 for anti spamage. None shall pass." -happypantsmcgee
"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer
So, so happy this post went
SHORTmyCDO wrote: Jimmy, I
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
mas1987 wrote: blastoise, I
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
JimmyDormandy
"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
Gekko21 wrote: JimmyDormandy
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
+ 1 for the blog. I will be
SHORTmyCDO wrote: + 1 for the
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
JimmyDormandy wrote: mas1987
"WSO is like the 300 for anti spamage. None shall pass." -happypantsmcgee
"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer
JimmyDormandy
JimmyDormandy
Good work Jimmy, glad to have
Where I unload on Twits and take verbal S***s
First time poster, long time
Fine, you worked hard to get
Billions wrote: Fine, you
"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
I think this thread sets a
this sounds like one massive