3rd year analyst preparation

I went from undergrad (accounting major) directly to Lawschool. I decided to get a joint MBA while I was here. Anyway, I landed a gig a a BB M&A group as a 3rd year analyst (9-month test run to prove myself since I have ZERO actual experience).

What do you guys recommend that I do to really separate myself and get a leg-up on everyone else (and attempt to catch up as much as I can with current 3rd years)?

Thanks

13 Comments
 

You have to ask to be staffed more heavily than your peers and be ready to take criticism from 1st and 2nd year analysts who have more on-the-job experience than you.

 

So basically I just have to be willing to work more hours and take sh*t from all angles?

...I can handle that.

Any other words of wisdom?

 

Just wondering, how highly ranked was your law school? I passed on a jd/mba program at a law school that just snuck into the top 100 on US News rankings.

 

My School ranks in the top 50 (hovers around the 40 range)

The ranking of the law school won't matter much if you are on the i-banking path. The JD itself is all that matters. It is a great couple of letters to have outside your name (plus it is hands down the best practical education you can get, regardless of your career choice).

 

I considered it a "possible" waste if I really wanted to do something more business related. Its a 3 year investment that may or may not be tangible for me/you 5 years from now.

But clearly, entering as a 3rd year analyst at a BB is a great in, and is probably paying more than your other lawyer buddies.

 

I think there are more top law schools than top business schools. You can land that $145k salary job by being top in your class at a top50 school.

 

Kind of along the same lines, for those of you (or who know someone) who were 1st-2nd yr analysts then decided to stay for a 3rd year--when do you all typically go to business school, if at all? It seems useless to live the lifestyle of an analyst for an extra year rather than going to business school and ending up as an associate any way.

 

Brack, why pay $100k to go to b-school for two years when you can MAKE $200-300k per year as an analyst-to-associate promote?

 

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