Possible to break into corporate finance with a 3.1 GPA and no internship experience from a semi-target school ? What are my options?
So basically I am a recent grad from a semi-target school and had a horrible time in college and had some mental and physical health issues that crushed my drive, energy, ambition, and ability to do my work and get good grades. I almost ended up dropping out but stuck with it. Spring semester Junior year I finally started to get the help I needed and was able to make Dean's list the last three semesters, but even then I was about 70%-80% max of what I know I truly am, and that still is not enough considering the damage I did to my GPA early on. I didn't educate myself enough on career paths and internships early on as I had my head completely up my ass and did not land any due to my GPA and lack of knowledge about how to apply, and basically thought I could just show up and be handed jobs. This is moronic because I had access to excellent career services at the time as well. I know IB, PE, Big4, like that is totally out of the question for me, not in 10 million years, but I just wanted to know what options I could possibly have, or if I can even pursue anything in finance at all, to be honest.
I was in a similar position 3 years ago. Graduated with under 2.8 gpa from a state school. Had switched majors once, but finished with strong grades at the end. Don't lose hope. Was able to get a treasury analyst position with a $4B public company. Have worked really hard and have proven myself to be a top performer. Got a promotion over counterparts with MS Finance degrees. I've recently leveraged the promotion and experience to a more senior role at a F50 company.
If you can get your foot in the door anywhere (FP&A, Treasury, Business Development), just work hard and learn as much as you can and the GPA will mean nothing.
I appreciate you reaching out bro. I really am starting to lose hope, but am interested in treasury, FP&A, commercial, or corporate finance. It just seems so impossible, that there are millions of candidates better than me everywhere I look, feel like I am applying to very competitive firms and am not sure where to look. What was your networking strategy? Thanks again!
Honestly I didn't have any networking plan. For the treasury analyst job I had a connection to the VP of Corp FP&A but I doubt that had any weight on the hiring decision. When that company is hiring fresh undergrads they were very focused on personality, and having a good fit with someone who could grow.
The new role I am taking with another company I did not network at all. They had actually hired another analyst from my company a few years ago, and one of the interviewers was from my hometown so there were a few points of familiarity.
Honestly you have to just really sell yourself. Fake it till you make it. Best of luck.
Don't have that attitude.
I'm trying :( I just have no idea what do to make up for a low GPA and no internship/relevant experience.
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