“I found my mentoring session with André very helpful, particularly because I came into it with very little understanding of commercial banking. My background is in life sciences and healthcare, and most of my career exploration so far has focused on consulting. Although I had become interested in commercial banking, I had not previously explored the area in any depth. I therefore needed a clear starting point and an honest conversation about what I should understand before deciding whether to pursue it.
André helped me establish that starting point. The session gave me a clearer way to think about commercial banking, how it differs from consulting, and what I still need to learn. Before the conversation, I was looking at opportunities and wondering whether I should begin applying alongside consulting applications. Afterwards, I understood that I needed to take a step back and make a more informed decision about whether the work genuinely interests me.
One of the most valuable aspects of the session was how it helped me recognise the gaps in my current understanding. I knew that I was new to banking, but I did not necessarily know which questions I needed to answer for myself. André’s guidance helped me think more clearly about where I am now, what I am missing, and what I should begin doing next. Having that direction was useful because it made the process feel more manageable. Rather than treating banking as a broad and unfamiliar industry, I now have a clearer starting point for learning about it.
A particularly helpful message was that I should first develop a better understanding of commercial banking and assess whether I actually like the work. I took away a sensible sequence: understand the area, decide whether it appeals to me, and then, if it does, commit to learning and preparing for applications. If I discover that the work does not suit my interests, I should be willing to recognise that and focus my efforts elsewhere. That advice sounds straightforward, but it was an important perspective for me at this stage.
The conversation made me realise that I should not rush into applying for commercial banking roles simply because I have found programmes that look interesting. Before the session, I was at risk of moving too quickly from curiosity to applications without having a strong enough understanding of the career itself. André helped me see the value of being more deliberate. I would rather make a considered application based on a genuine interest in the work than spend time applying to positions I cannot yet explain my motivation for pursuing.
Another important takeaway was recognising how substantial the differences between banking and consulting can be. Because consulting has been my main focus, it had become my reference point when thinking about other careers. The session helped me realise that I cannot assume banking will involve similar work, suit the same preferences, or require exactly the same preparation. I need to understand banking on its own terms rather than view it mainly as another option alongside consulting.
I also appreciated that the session was useful even though I did not finish it with a final career decision. At this exploratory stage, greater clarity about what I do not yet know is meaningful progress. I now feel better equipped to evaluate my interest, identify what I need to learn, and decide whether commercial banking deserves a more focused place in my career plans.
Overall, André was very helpful, and the session met an important need for me as someone starting with limited knowledge of the field. Its greatest value was giving me direction and encouraging a more thoughtful approach to my next steps. I left with a clearer understanding of my knowledge gaps, a more realistic perspective on the difference between banking and consulting, and a better sense of how to move forward before committing to applications.”
Depends on your school as well I imagine but Deloitte requires a 3.5 to apply for S&O (IIRC). Deloitte's a very networking driven firm so keep at making those quality relationships and pitch your resume to make yourself an interesting and worthwhile candidate.
I think for Business Tech Consulting it is 3.4, I do not think they have cutoffs for S&O but having said that it only makes sense for it to be higher than Business Tech.
My experience with the big firms was they went more for the frat/sorority social butterflies. Not necessarily the smartest. Hence why I never worked for them :p.
Bad GPA... Doomed?? (Originally Posted: 05/03/2007)
So here's my dilemma... I graduated college and got my BA in B.S. .. lol.. j/k.. I got it in Economics. However, my GPA was, for the lack of a better word, crappy... Is there really any chance for someone with a bad GPA to get into I-Banking? I'm talking below 3.0, but greater than 2.5.
I'm actually a smart person. In my previous school I had a 3.5 QPA.. but when I transferred to this school my GPA took a turn for the worse.. Bad teachers, Bad TA's.. went from a small school to a LARGE school, plus too much partying. I know I've got the drive and determination to make it in the I-banking field, and I've read about all the hard work and hours and stuff, but I'm pulling that at my current job, so it's not going to be any different. My problem is that I don't quite have the grades to prove it. I guess I'm one of those people that when it comes to school and testing, I'm just bad at it. But when I'm at work I'm a completely different person, I'm pretty much all those things listed in the job requirements.
Also, not having a GPA on my resume is killing me, I feel that recruiters just toss it when they see no GPA no matter how great my cover letter or resume look. The only internship I had was in my previous school but it was for Computer Science at my schools Computer Resource Center (Computer Lab Consultant).
I guess I'm screwed.
Any techniques or ideas.. any Learning Programs I should take? Or do I have to just settle for trying to hit the lotto.. or pray for a mircale? I dont really want to settle for a career change?
With all those I-bankers out there I know that not ALL of them were straight "A" students.. any suggestions?
Thanks!
Pretty sure you'll need to do an MBA or have a reallllly good connection
I've seen a 2.9 land a BB IB job but this guy was stacked in extracurriculars: Eagle Scout, 1590 SAT I, 3x800 SAT II, double major in applied math and engineering. Plus this guy is a born salesman with a baller resume and two top-tier engineering internships under his belt.
Your during-college work experience is thin and your GPA is Really low. I rarely say this, but you will need a hell of a lot of luck. Gshell is right, the MBA is probably your best bet (if your work experience is incredible, then maybe you can land yourself a spot at a solid school).
Hey guys,
Thanks for your kind replies. I was expecting someone to just flame me and tell me to get off the site.. lol
But the only problem with the MBA solution is that I ran out of all my money (including student loans). So I really can't afford going back to get my MBA. I was hoping I get a job with some I-bank doing whatever until I can get enough money to go back and get my MBA.. also some places even pay for you to get it.
Is there a certain amount of time that must pass after graduating college where you dont have to put your school GPA?
Thanks!
well, you have to put your GPA for each school, but they'll focus on your graduate school gpa similar to how nobody cares about your high school gpa once you have a college gpa.
You can always take a loan and get your MA in Econ.
so I just found out that one of my good friends is an extremely close cousin of the wife of the Co-Head of IBD at a boutique firm in NYC (confused yet?), The problem is that he's ALWAYS busy and traveling. I want to see if he can do something to help me out, but I would feel like he has WAYY better things to do. Plus, I don't know him. Any ideas?
I don't know whether you believe me or not.. haha.. but I guess the Six Degrees of Separation is in full effect.. lol..
I can't e-mail him though because I don't have his e-mail address, and I doubt that HR will just give it to me if I call to ask for his e-mail. So I'm thinking about just mailing him a letter via USPS. I'd rather do that instead of asking my friend for his e-mail cause I dont know how comfortable she is in giving out his personal e-mail.
Don't worry, I won't start it with "I am contacting you because my close friend is your wife's close cousin. Can you hook me up?" ;D
I think the best thing to do is just lie about your GPA. It's risky, yes, but many of my analyst colleagues have done that and lived to tell about it. Besides, you'd better have the balls for this b/c I really don't see any other way for you to land an ibanking job anyway.
I'm definately not down to lie about my GPA on my resume because it's already tough trying to get a job with a bad GPA.. I can't imagine how much worse it'll be if/when HR finds out and I'm fired over it.
Start out a complete shithole investment banking boutique, and lateral after a year or two to more of a middle-market (or higher, if possible) firm...i think it can be done
I guess I probably have to start out in a shithold boutique, then laterally move to another firm.. and make my way up like that. Being hispanic, I was hoping that I can probably get a job through affirmative action.. lol... hey i'll take the position anyway that I can.. ;)
3.2 is on the low end for tech consulting but some firms may bite depending on your school, the company of your software eng. internship, and leadership/EC experience.
I was able to get a Big 4 tech consulting internship my junior summer with a 3.2 but had decent internship experience and ECs.
bad major gpano offer am i screwed (Originally Posted: 09/01/2011)
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