From a non-target with an eh GPA to a respectable MM SA Position

I finally got a decent position this summer. First a little background, 3.3 GPA Biology major, minor in business and accounting, a decent amount of relevant coursework and a lot of drive.

The first thing I will say is networking works, I have met people who have helped me along the way in the most random manners, I fly a lot so I'm an elite and get bumped up to FC, I've met a bunch of sucessful individuals there including, 2 PE guys who have been really helpful in my search. I met one contact at a cousin's bat mitzvah, he wound up writing a letter of recommendation that sealed the deal with this current bank. Most people don't network nearly hard enough.

Secondly I received interviews via cold calls. it is an ego bruising process, it takes hours to do and is generally unpleasant. Two mornings a week for months on end I called a handful of banks at a time. Either call early i.e. 8:30 when people are getting in or at the end of the business day. Prepare a script, know what you're going to say and call someone with some pull.

Thirdly stay in touch, don't obsessively call, but following up every other week at places that were receptive certainly doesn't hurt. Inform those who are helping you along your career path. I write an ocassional email to the guys who have helped me out and I ocassionaly go out to lunch with them.

Finally get a mentor. This is the toughest part, but you need someone who will "go to bat" for you. You also need someone who will give you candid advice. The individual who wrote my LOR told me to refocus my search and suggested a lot of things that I had not thought of.

Best of luck to all of you without an internship in getting one and to those with one, the best of luck in your SA role. Feel free to PM me.

Regards,
Future CT Doc