Advice ? Am I Fucked ?

Background: Recent Grad from a non-target state university (Finance), was a good student (3.9) but did not network appropriately in college. As a result I never interviewed for a SA position and ended up spending my junior year at a Private Equity fund. Truly was a great learning experience and I was able to work closely with a great group of guys, just a year too late (went back winter of senior yr as well) . After graduating I worked at no-name investment bank in Private Placement for ~2-months (Friends of the PE firm, Temp. work as I had already accepted job and they had a large deal they needed help with) before starting work at B4 in what I wish was advisory (as per the name of the position) but is truthfully audit work. I am working diligently to get on phone calls at smaller banks and internally with Partners in more attractive groups as well as opened up my search to anywhere in the US.

My Questions are as Follows:

  1. Is their any use at all trying to get into a FT role from my current situation and in this timeline?
  2. I am considering the TAS/Valuation @ B4 route, Do you think trying to make a move so early in my career with the Firm will fuck me ?
  3. If you were me, what would you do ? (CFA is often discouraged on here but bc of the IT work could it help ?, Is taking the GMAT in order to put the score (if high) on Resume something that can help ?, Should I try and jump ship to other B4 in TAS/Valuation rather than internal ? )
4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Mate, take things into perspective.

You're not doing badly at all. Sure, not the most prestigious job, but I wouldn't laugh at a Big 4 position. As for your questions:

  1. Try to find a FT role in IB or whatever you're chasing, but lower your expectations. Develop a 2-5 year plan for yourself. This is merely the beginning of your career - where you start does not determine where you'll end up.

  2. Not sure why you assume it would fuck you. I'd go for it, unless there's something I'm missing?

  3. Build a 2-5 year plan. If you determine that taking the GMAT is crucial to your goals, then do so.

 

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