Ivy League Masters into Finance?
Greetings,
I have a BA in Communications and a minor in Philosophy from a pretty good school in the Midwest. I was just accepted to Dartmouth for a MA in Globalization Studies. I am going to take a couple classes in finance and economics at the school of Tuck while getting this MA degree of yet another Lib Arts degree. The goal would be to secure a gig as an analyst, ib, hf, pe, or anything wallstreet related.
I have interned during the presidential campaign focused in communications and strategy, NBC Universal as a marketing assistant intern focusing on ad sales and placements. Lastly, I did another internship as an assistant at a boutique construction company it paid pretty well and I learned a lot about real estate.
For the past two years I worked in sales for a top fortune 300 company. Selling IT shit. My goal is to get a job on wall street. I am sick of making pointless cold calls and all that jazz. I am better than this. The work isn't challenging and the pay is SHIT.
I am not exactly sure how to spin this. Any assistance would be appreciated. I am considering this MA in Globalization and possibly securing an internship at a Hedge Fund to stern up the resume some. My undergrad GPA was fair but wasn't as strong as it could've been so, this MA is to help assert me into a top tier MBA program.
I am a bit scared I am not sure how to position this to secure an analyst position let along a position on wall street in general...
This is why I am here. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!
here's the truth: kinda harsh, but true. first off, pe or hf is not happening. let that go. the fact that you have a non-MSF master's degree will definitely hurt you until you go get your MBA. you will probably not be chosen for any full time analyst positions over someone who has finance experience, or has at least demonstrated interest in the field besides just wanting a simple career change. Shoot for a sales position in S&T. Your best shot at IB is ridiculous amounts of networking - i'm talking emails to as many Darthmoth alums and your undergrad alums as there are on the street.
none of your experience says "finance," much less "wall street". especially the fact that you chose to do another liberal arts masters instead of a MSF. why do you want to work on wall street? not liking sales and wanting higher pay are not a good enough reason.
I appreciate the comment and feedback. Thanks. I am just attempting to figure this out. I might've mentioned that but I failed to mention I was originally setting myself up for law school.
There are plenty that get MA's and go on to still work in finance. It's what you do after the MA or BA that's important. I never said the MA was the end all be all. There are people who used the program to break into Wharton.
http://www.ninagodiwalla.com/author.php
She worked at Morgan Stanley then pursued her MA at Dartmouth same program and then was accepted to Wharton. There are others who used the program to become deans of Georgia Institute of Technology and even Georgetown. The program is legitimate.
My only concern is that I was on the path to be an attorney and realized I'd rather not. I did intern for President Obama's campaign for an entire year. I am no longer looking at that as a career option. I want to do finance. Especially, after working at the construction company I was responsible for the books and managing accounts.
What do I need to do to make myself a viable option for anything within wall street. I am still aiming I was assuming HF or PE. Especially, after speaking to a student who was a econ major from an HBCU and pursuing their MA at Dartmouth focusing on Sovereign Funds.
I am going to intern my year at Dartmouth for a finance company. While taking a couple finance, econ, and accounting classes. Not to mention, make my entire thesis about economical issues. I am also looking to start my first level of my CFA while at Dartmouth.
Naturally, again this will be a stepping stone until I garner some internship experience, working experience then off to get my MBA from a top tier.
I have spoken with a couple classmates via facebook and they told me its all very possible using the alumni network and hauling ass like no other. I just need to know that there are options and possibilities.
When looking at corporate board of trustees I have seen people focus on Masters of International Relations which is essentially exactly the program I'll be doing at Dartmouth. We take econ, social issues, law etc.
You want to work in finance yet you know nothing about the field. Riiight, i hear the EPA is hiring. NEEEEEXXXT
You're talking a whole lot to justify your ridiculous lack of interest in finance beyond a career change making money. I'm at a BB now. I have friends at literally every BB so I have some sort of idea of what their classes are made of. No analysts have non-MSF masters. You are at a ridiculous disadvantage. Fact. You are not going to transfer into a PE or HF job now. Also fact. You better start ridiculously contacting every possible lead to get a shot at any bank. BB or elite boutique is probably not gonna happen for you, so aim for small boutique. Also aim for sales.
The lady you presented is not the same as your case since she worked at Morgan Stanley BEFORE she got her liberal arts MA, showing that she is interested in finance. You are in a really bad situation trying to switch now, considering the level of competition you are going to face from more qualified candidates.
Accept all of this and start shooting emails and cold calling now.
Also, seriously? You want ANYTHING on wall street? There are hundreds of roles on wall street, from front office to back office IB to asset management, equity sales, derivatives, etc, etc. That just shows an extreme lack of knowledge on the industry and lack of focus on your career.
Any non-MBA grad program at Dartmouth is a waste of time if your goal is wall street. Undergrad/Tuck alums will not view you as equals.
Thanks for the advice though.
Why would you get a non-business Masters if you want to go into business? Go for an MSF (check out www.msfhq.com it's run by a guy that regularly posts here, great site) instead, that'll actually show you're interested in the subject matter.
Thanks for the shout out.
Get a masters in finance or econ or management. Probably look at Dukes MMS program or maybe Wake Forest. You need some business on your resume.
I don't mean to be contrarian, but I don't necessarily agree with much of this thread. Having graduated from an Ivy institution with a liberal arts degree, I was picked up as an analyst for investment banking; as were many of my friends. Several others of my friends are now working in hedge funds with nothing other than a BA in history from an Ivy university.
That said, you are at a disadvantage with getting a master's degree. This means that any finance firm (banking, pe, hf, asset management) will think you will be expecting a higher salary than a lowly post-college analyst.
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