Ive finished my coursework but have not officially graduated because I have yet to complete my thesis. Since I should have it done by the end of this month, I can graduate this summer or this coming December. I've been working in a Back office/middle office position at a BB since last July.
Im wondering if I should post-pone my official grad until Dec and apply for IBD in the analyst recruiting cycle. Any thoughts on this? Im from a non-target with a 3.6 gpa and some stand out ECs. Have also done very well for myself in my current position, but IBD is where I want to be. Current position isn't an area with strong ties to the IB side, so hard to get someone to go to bat for me.
Should I market my current position as an internship? Not lying, but just listing it on my res as July 2007... leading ppl to assume it was an internship. Obviously being straightforward if asked about it.
Should I just say I've been working hard on my thesis trying to get it published and took current position as a learning experience and to get a head start on paying off student loans?
How do banks look at Winter graduates? I had a friend who graduated in Dec and started in Jan getting a headstart on his analyst class (not in IBD). Iis this a pos/neg?
With regard to your last
With regard to your last question;
http://www.mergersandinquisitions.com/2008/03/06/investment-banking-jobs...
As for postponing graduation or not; to me, that depends if you'll be going overtime on the normal route for your course. Graduating in more time than you're supposed to is not looked upon favourably. Other than that, I don't have any valuable input.
No overtime coursework. The
No overtime coursework. The only thing which has kept me from graduating when I began working FT (Jul 07) is my thesis which I have been continuously building upon and expanding the scope of in hopes of getting it published and perhaps presenting it at a symposium.
One more word of advice;
One more word of advice; present your situation as though you've been working alongside studying (which you for all intensive purposes have been). I did the same thing - part-time analyst at a hedge fund - and it really did work wonders come recruiting season (for internships, that is - graduating next week :)). There is a clear distinction between working in ops alongside studying and just working in ops; the former is impressive, whereas the latter typecasts you for ops roles.
...
(which you for all intensive purposes have been).
Sorry, but this was too good to let go.
It's for all "intents and purposes", not "intensive purposes".
Ouch. I'm not a native
Ouch. I'm not a native English speaker, but having consistently made such a mistake (not a phrase I use very often, but I'm sure I've used it at some point) still hurts.
No worries - I've heard
No worries - I've heard others (native speakers) use it as well.
Now you know.
Colonel, with respect, I
Colonel, with respect, I think you're underestimating the opportunity here.
If I were you, I would definitely postpone graduation, write a strong thesis, maybe take some extra classes in the Fall, go through recruiting once more and then when you have (hopefully) secured the job you want, go travelling for the spring semester.
That is exactly what a friend of mine is doing right now, before her start date in July. South America really needs 6 months to be experienced properly.
"(which you for all intensive purposes have been)."
From a Dutch colleague: "that will cost me a foot and a hand"
From a Swedish female colleague after a massive shopping spree in New York: "I've had to buy a lot of extra hookers". She meant hangers... I hope!
As an aside, I have a
As an aside, I have a possible opportunity to work at a 'non-investment banking' restructuring and turnaround shop, about 25-30 person operation. A lot of bankruptcy trustee work, running/advising distressed companies until they are completely unwound; some of the Sr MD's sit on the BOD for fairly well known floundering companies they are advising. Should be a good market to be advising distressed companies.
My question is, do I:
1-- Sit tight in BO BB, post-pone graduation until winter, give IB recruiting cycle a shot
2-- Graduate this summer and take the above mentioned offer. Stay there for the next 2-3 or so years.
3-- What about postpone grad until Winter. Take the above mentioned offer, and give recruiting cycle a shot? Would it be better or worse? Id much more relevant experience under my belt, but I did start FT at a place in say July, and am leaving after 6 months. Cant market this as an internship because obviously its not, background check etc....
bump
bump