Sad truth

wizards_apprentice:

Just gotta stop thinking about whats happened, be positive and just go for it. Nothing to lose.

We all make mistakes, the important part is how we react and ultimately deal with them.

Hocus pocus

I am appylign a long and tying to network though if you saw my level of confidence I think you'd avoid me yourself.

Thank you for kidn words!

Mzz:

fuaaark, thats messed up. good luck with that.

I perfectly know that it's kind of an "impossible" situation. But I'd really appreciate some advice. Would for instance CFA or ACA qualification add value? Would it be ok to start working in indsutry while getting qualifications and then try applying to finance again?

SternMonkey:

Good trolling.

I wish it was just a trolling but crap happens.

zee4:

I wish I could help. Hope someone will comment.

Thank you! I also hope someone can bring some examples and useful suggestions.

CivilServant:

What do you want do do exactly? We're you given a 2.1? Presumably you have no record so the shop lifting isn't an issue?

Hi! Previously, I did internship in Research and this's what i could do without a training but I'd honestly consider anything at the moment. I am currently also preparing for CFA1 just to train my brain and in case I need it.

I was given shameful 2.2 with overall mark being 59% and an excellent reference from my professor who knew about my situation and previous academic record which was good.

Unfortunately, my record is right there and my fingerprints were taken :( I was numb when it was happening and couldn't explain anything to the police officer.

thecoldburns:

1. Where are you located?
2. What is the equivalent of 59% as a GPA?
3. Where are you looking to break into finance?

Help me know more so I can try to help you if it's within my abilities.

Thank you so much for your interest! I more than appreciate it!

1) I'm right now in London but possibly will move back in 2 weeks.

2) It's very hard to transfer to transfer it to GPA, but banks accept anyone with 2.1 which is more 60+ and mine is 59%.

3) I would really fit in Research as I did it before in my internship. However, I am more than open to any options given my situation at the moment.

Eurodealer:

Well it all comes down to...

What did you steal? This is hit or miss.

It was some food. So ashamed of it..

thecoldburns:

What kind of research was this? Equity? Credit? Market?

So would it be fair if I said that you graduated with a 2.2?

Yes, of course, it'd be fair since I got 59% which is 2.2 I did market research. I worked at macroecon desk.

UFOinsider:

Realize that outside of finance, that top 5 degree will carry you a long long way. If you end up at a job you don't like, work a couple of years and go to grad school. Look for stability, don't chase money, trust me on this....later on when you get focused, you want to have some resources tucked away, so just focus on the most important thing in life: necessity....what matters most NOW.

Take a short break, get some sleep and some good food, and then realistically approach things instead of wasting your time fixated on just one job: it's not going to solve all your problems.

YOU WILL

Thank you so much! I can't express how much I appreciate your honest advice!

I will do my best to find any normal job at the moment and to move on. I was contacted recently by the recruiter from top company in non-finance sector a leader in its industry. I just hope my record won't cause an issue..

Thank you!

UFOinsider:

Realize that outside of finance, that top 5 degree will carry you a long long way. If you end up at a job you don't like, work a couple of years and go to grad school. Look for stability, don't chase money, trust me on this....later on when you get focused, you want to have some resources tucked away, so just focus on the most important thing in life: necessity....what matters most NOW.

Take a short break, get some sleep and some good food, and then realistically approach things instead of wasting your time fixated on just one job: it's not going to solve all your problems.

YOU WILL

Thank you again for your comment and advice!

Did you eventually start in finance or some other sector? Would you suggest me doing any sort of qualification like CFA/ACA, or it'd be a waste of time?

Amphipathic:

Food is probably the most innocuous thing you could have stolen, sort of brings jean valjean to mind.

Still, there's a ruined reputation and the record. Even without a conviction, it'll cause a very big problem.

peinvestor2012:

"overanalizing"

Out. Well done OP.

Well, sorry about misspelling. I am really not in the mood to make jokes about it, tbh.

GPMagnus:

Be honest with recruiters about your criminal record. You stole food. It's not OK but everyone makes mistakes and everyone deserves a second chance. Give them the opportunity to help you and to feel good about themselves. As for banks and other places - the record might be a problem. Might also be a problem with the CFA Institute ... in any case, once you have landed on your feet, get a lawyer and try to get your record expunged. Good luck!

Thank you for advice! Unfortunately, by UK law, records can never be expunged. Would it be a real problem with CFA? this's really bad..

SirTradesaLot:

In the US, there is a big difference between getting convicted and getting arrested. You can be falsely accused of a lot of things. I'd be surprised, if it can even be brought up by most employers if it's just an arrest. However, your grades will be an issue. I agree with UFO, just take something instead of holding out for the perfect job.

Thank you for advice! I read lot's of things about the arrest records and most guys say that once it's found, the offer will be withdrawn. I'm thinking of other routes..

TheKid1:

I don't really have any advice to offer, except I wish you the best of luck. I'm currently doing temp work which will finish up by end of June and I have been proactively looking to have something lined up by then but so far nothing. Just gotta keep our heads up.

Thank you! I actually never expected that forum would be so kind to me. I really expected lot's of ignorance and bad comments.

I am really trying to reach contacts but as I said I'm so worried about this record, I don;t want someone who referred me to be put in an uncomfortable shameful situation because of me! It's really putting me off from anything and I wake up with the same thought in my mind every single day.

I wish you good luck with job search, and I'm sure you;ll be fine since you have good employment history and trying hard.

DashaSanchez:

Hello. From what I've got your father met another woman right? Do you have any siblings? Is he going to support them? Does your mom work?

Now I'm going to be tough and say - girl, you need to get yourself together! It's hard, I know, but you'll manage!

I'm really trying by both reading some psychological literature and contacting people even through via forums now as I can't tell the truth everyone around.

Well, yes. He met another woman and changed so quickly by leaving the family that I never expected this to happen. If I knew he wouldn't be able to support me throughout last year of studies, I'd never go to study to the UK.

Thank you for showing support! I'm trying to put everything in order to forget about this as if it was a nightmare.

Ipso facto:

Personally, I'm with UFO on this. leave the GPA off and network like crazy. Perhaps you could also retake 1-2 classes you did really poorly in (if money is not an issue). This could possibly bump overall up to 60%.

I'd be more than happy to retake the exams, but UK education system differs from the one in the US and here you can't retake any exams, esp. in your final year. So, the only option left is to network like crazy