Hello everyone! I am a new monkey. I am 29 years old, and looking for a chance to work in this unforgiving industry we know as investment banking. I come from an engineering background, having previously worked for HP, Qualcomm, and various other tech companies before actually going a different route and getting a PT job at a local restaurant. However, this changed to FT hours. I did not get the chance to finish school when I was younger, having to work several jobs took its toll on me (low income background). I am not sure how to approach this question, but is it okay if I can please ask for a brutal opinionated honest answer from you?
I am looking to finish a bachelor's degree online (possibly, due to having to work full time), however it would be finance or mathematics/computer science. I understand it is frowned upon, but would completing a UCLA Investment Banking certificate or through another extension such as UC Berkeley for their certificate worthwhile to add? I have a possible opportunity to get a management role at this restaurant down the future and it would hinder my on-campus visits.
I am certain I can score in the top 90-95% gmat scores, but I would also need to focus on my last two year of undergraduate and emphasize that as well.
I am sorry about the long message, but I'd like to hear thoughts about it.
Thank you!
Hiten
Little confused on your story. You worked as an engineer in tech but don't have a BA or BS? Also, what kind of school were you thinking of going to? Please don't say U of Phoenix or devry. No offense but scoring in the top 5 percent of the GMAT is a lot easier said than done and I wouldn't have it on such a high priority w/o being within a year of a bachelor's degree. If you've mathematically have no shot of getting to 3.5 GPA at the very least it is pretty difficult to get in IB. It sounds like you either live in SF or LA? Why not try to become a summer analyst at an investment bank? It can greatly increase your odds. Or you could work in PWM where there a lot less barrier to entry and not as cutthroat requirements.
Hello Human Capital, I actually decided to take two part-time jobs to fund my education/pay bills and stick it out at San Diego State University. I am looking at a heavy QUANT program (Math/Stats/Computer Science) program to finish within 3-3.5 years starting Spring 2016.
I have connections to get a summer analyst opportunity in LA/SF/NYC/Boston (S&T), so that shouldn't be too hard to do. I think this will open a lot more doors for me even if my GPA suffers slightly down to 3.0-3.5 range. I can try for B-School after a few years in the industry.
Does this sound better? I have looked into Quant positions within various banks and firms. They look for heavy quant people in S&T as well, I know for portfolio management (associate level) positions at a firm in San Diego (Gurtin Fixed Income Mgt) look for a math/statistically oriented candidate.
Thanks for the reply. I really think finishing at a local state college (foundation) is the way to go.
Generally speaking, associates have a MBA or MSF etc. Honestly I think you should be focusing more on summer analyst position given the fact that you say you will graduate 3-3.5 years AFTER Spring '16. It makes getting a full time offer at the same bank or another BB much easier than without SA experience. I think you are focusing too much on what isn't right in front of you. You're 29 and will be 33-34 by the time you graduate. The quant guys you are thinking of usually have a phd. I think that is thinking a little bit too far ahead. I do not know specifically how IB BB's feel about candidates being 10-12 years older than the rest of recruiting class but my guess is that you will have to craft a interesting story. I honestly think short-term that you should go for SA and if that doesn't work go for PWM. You're older so it will be easier to convince people to invest with you versus the 23 yr old that they will think is still a "kid''. Kudos for going to sdsu. Pretty good bang for your buck if you're local.
I haven't heard about those IB certificate so I'll let others comment on that.
I called around locally yesterday. I got in touch with a firm that trades coffee. The firm has hired interns before in the past. Also, I may be doing Sports Statistics for my local college I used to go to. It is the same college I am taking some classes at as a refresher.
Yeah, I have heard you'd want a Summer Analyst internship by either Junior or Senior year. I could possibly get one by 2016 Summer as well. If it is locally, I can take two classes as well. So I am keeping my fingers crossed.
You got final rounds for interviews yet?
No I haven't yet. It basically is wishful thinking because I am a year early and not really a junior. The consensus around here is that due to a high amount of applicants and full time offer scheduling it is best for both summer analyst and company to do it the summer before senior year. Are there sophomore SA's? Absolutely but at a bulge bracket they are few and far between. Very valuable if you get one though. Lucky for me though is that Wells Fargo has a unique method. Apparently application period is only available for 24 hours on a specific date (I applied on 7/22 and it closed within a day). I'm not sure that they will have any more days set. I'd assume so but either way it narrows the applicant pool somewhat. I do intend on going on a tour of GS in sf soon perhaps if it's allowed and will definitely apply to go to WF and other banks soph programs.
Not to burst your bubble but generally SA's work as many hours as FT analyst so I don't know about being able to fit 2 classes in that when you work 70-100 hrs. The good news is that they usually get paid 15-20k and thats for 10 weeks of work. Pretty good I'd say! If you're interested interning here there's a couple different options like the campus rep program. just look around the site here. Someone else posted a thread on Summer analyst recruiting timeline and its on the side so you don't have to search for it in case you want some more info on SA openings.
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