Next step?

Here's my story:

I completed a BA/MBA program at a small University (well known in academia) concentrating in Finance. Captain of the Lacrosse Team, Student Council, Student-Athlete award, Founder of Republicans Club, etc.

I just started law school in NY (nights), and I have been interning at a small boutique during the day. I am working in a generalist group focusing on small to micro-cap companies. Work includes some modeling, comp analysis, making pitch books, etc.

My work experience, aside from the previously mentioned internship, includes a few years in sales while I was in college, and project management for a family construction company.

Now for the question, what is the next step towards getting into a reputable investment bank?

My goal is to get into a formal summer program, but I am afraid that my timing thrown off by the fact that I have a minimum of two more years before finishing law school? (I am considering switching into a fulltime program after this semester) I have a family friend with strong ties to many of the BBs, who has offered to pass along my resume, but am I ineligable for a summer position because of my academic status?

Should I try and lock up a summer job at my current firm, in hopes that my boss' (one of them put in 7 yrs in a BB) recommendations will help in the future?

Thanks.

 

law school was on the radar well before IB. I am planning to use the law degree in future endeavors.

Though, I have seriously considered walking, esp. since the guys I am working for want to take me on full time. I can't really explain it beyond that.

 

Can you please explain how it will help in the long run?

What would you recommend I do in the mean time? Try and keep the current job on a more permanent basis?

 

but, pardon the cliche, I have never really quit anything in my life. Also, I am enjoying law school (the concepts not the workload), so I am in no real rush to quit.

The thought has definitely crossed my mind, and if I had a really good offer on the table who knows what I would do. My focus right now is on finishing school and getting my foot in the door at a reputable bank.

 
Best Response

I know it is possible in UK--age discrimination policy.

But I think in the states, S Analysts after junior year; S Associates summer in between MBA (2 yrs); is standard.

Law school summer can apply for S Associate but without previous years of direct finance employment,the usual route is interning in Compliance/Law department,not IBD or S&T.

May need connections and a very,very good story about 'why banking'.

OP- sounds like you know what you want....switching to FT law school and finishing the JD. You can always check with several firms with informational interviews about future prospects.

 

I'm in a similar situation. It seems all the advice people have thrown my way so far is "go one way or the other", which really isn't very helpful. Like you, I want the legal background for later in life, but I want to pursue banking for now. You would think the MBA in your case would help land the summer job (or in my case the JD would help land the summer job), but so far the impression I've gotten is "no".

 

shed some light on the question of whether I should pursue a summer position at one of the better known banks for this coming summer, or if I should try and stay where I am for now? Like I mentioned before, I have some contacts in the industry, but I am afraid of tainting the waters now (if they won't take a 1L anyway) and making it more difficult for myself in the future.

Thanks.

 

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