F500 Corp Fin -> IB path advice?
I recently started a position as a financial analyst at a top aerospace and defense company. Most of my work is mainly reporting and some basic projections but I am getting pulled into some more exciting projects soon involving deals and modeling. My question is, what are the best ways to leverage this role to break into more traditional financial services roles in the future (IBD)? My company has a great FLDP where they offer tuition reimbursement and allows for a rotation to work in different areas such as treasury, VC and M&A, and I am wondering if this is the most direct path to IB or if I can break in without it, and if there are any networking tips or general advice about breaking in I should know about. The FLDP is competitive and by no means a guarantee, so I appreciate any insight on alternative pathways as well. Also, are there any BBs or EBs that have a strong pedigree of defense contractors within their industrials coverage teams? Thanks!
Hi Analyst 1 in CorpFin, hope I can help. Do any of these links cover what you're looking for:
More suggestions...
You're welcome.
Just here to let you know that if you're in/near a major market, you can likely do it at the junior level (in your first 2 yrs). It's really just up to how much work you want to put into it.. but if you put in the work and know how to sell yourself, you'll be able to get interviews. From there it's entirely up to you. Once you have the interview/case/technicals, your background will not work against you.
Thank you for the tips. I’m almost conflicted about trying to make the jump so soon because I know I still have a lot to learn in my current job and about the aero/defense industry in general, in order to be able to speak intelligently about it in interviews. The project I’m getting put on soon will have to do with M&A so I am hoping to fine tune my technical skills there and also gain some more knowledge about the industry in general, since my current responsibilities are more niche. Any tips for making that move within the first 2 years? Does it mostly come down to just networking and applying etc?
If you're going to make the shift within 2 years then yes it will be about networking and luck. If I were in your shoes, and I was deadset on IB, I'd make an effort to build a large network with top A&D IBs (bb through mm) over the next year, then try to line up an exit at the 2 yr mark (assuming you're in a 2 yr program) - if something great comes about within that time, consider it but don't sell yourself short either.
Alright got it. I’ll probably start looking to connect on LinkedIn or cold email soon to try to gather some basic information about what they do and use it as a means of expressing my curiosity and interest about the field along with introducing myself. Would you say it’s better to look for people who went to my undergrad or people who worked at my current company and are now in IB?
Both would be a good starting point. Would also target people that went FLDP -> IB, especially if they were from your co, or other major A&D players.
I’m guessing you didn’t do an internship in IB while at school? You’re going to need an MBA to break into IB.
Yeah no internship unfortunately. By the time I knew what I wanted to do in a career I had missed the boat. Hoping that although my current job experience isn’t exactly relevant I can transition to more Corp dev style work within the company and then make the jump. I like FP&A but so far it hasn’t been too technical or intellectually stimulating.
I don’t think it is that bad. Its not like he is in something radically different. If he manages to work in M&A related projects while in his current role and networks well, his skills would actually be quite interesting for an A&D team. It is not a clear path nor an easy one, but is def feasible
Thank you for the reassurance. I’ve been doing as much research I can on A&D specific groups while also trying to seek out opportunities to gain more relevant experience within my company. As for networking, I’m not too sure what the most polite way to express my interest over LinkedIn or email would be, and how to express that although I’m not interested in leaving my company yet IB is something I want to explore a little down the road.
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