[Advice Needed] Confused and no idea what to do.
WSO forum, I need your help.
I'll keep this post as simple and real as I can.
About myself:
I am a freshman at an Eastern European country. Major: International Economics and Finance.
Between school and university, I spent 3 years working in villages helping in innovation management, plus leading a large student organization and a start-up of my own.
Personal:
I have a girlfriend, and I am keen on having a job which is not too much into traveling. (Or if I travel, then I can do so with my girl, and more like international travel - but it sounds like a fantasy thought maybe?).
Additionally, I do not prefer long working hours - at least, not in the long-term.
Problem:
I am looking for Summer gigs this coming year - internships etc. Hoping to work in United States and/or Europe in the long term. Personally prefer Europe more but it shouldn't be an issue.
I can say I am pretty good at: research work, public speaking/presentation, both Excel and PowerPoint, general finance and economics etc.
I always thought I have interest in both Consulting and Banking sphere, but I cannot point out exactly what/where.
I find WSO forum to be such a gem, but all the talk here makes me confusing: S&T, Hedge fund, Buy-side/Sell-side, Venture Capital etc. I read what these terms mean and sort-of understand but still it makes me very confused as to what exactly to choose in terms of career.
This could be detrimental since I am at a critical stage where I must know what to do and which door to choose.
Kindly help, I am very very confused here.
Thanks!
First thing, if you want any advice, delete the other 4 versions of this post in the other forums. If you want the most views then choose IB forum.
You're a freshman, therefore you have at least 2 free months, which equates to about at least 100 free hours. Take those 100 hours and do some more research, people shouldn't have to spoon feed. To make your life easier, just gun for a banking internship as a freshmen-even a boutique. If you don't like it then sweet, you've saved yourself the hassle of wasting time and learning it later.
Then do a soph internship in consulting or keep going IB but more prestigious firms.... hope you get the picture. You'll figure it out, just spend those 100 hours wisely. let s&t go...no transferable skills, even if you like it, do something else.
buyside comes after i-banking, so get an ib internship first.
Thanks @"zeroblued" I posted on other forums to get their perspective - thought a person from a consulting background could have different approach than IB.
You're definitely right on point regarding doing a summer gig and then see - it makes just so much more sense. I, for one, have been sort of person who has been quite motivated and dedicated etc for working on his career - 3 yrs stint after school could prove not so bad when it comes to 'storytelling' for an MBA in the future or maybe for a job. But that is for later. Here is the glitch: at this point suddenly I feel confused as to what I must pursue. Like I mentioned above, I thought consulting/banking both to be my interests, but when it comes to narrowing down stuffs, I can't understand. Did some research etc but probably a real experience would tell better.
it doesn't work that way. consulting people also go on the ib forum and vice versa. at least delete 2 of your 4 posts...you will definitely annoy plenty. i still strongly suggest deleting 3 of the 4 and being more concise. this is wso, i definitely skimmed your post.
i was at the crossroads a couple years ago, confused and didn't know which way to pursue just like you. 4 more months of WSO, talking to people and doing my own research solved it, and by sophomore year I had a clear vision, yet flexible-which is key. ask yourself whether your quantitative, peoples person, a mix of both, like being entrepreneurial, etc...keep doing research, research never stops till you retire.
real experience will help, but its the long way of finding out. talking to people on the job will quicken that process. just don't sound like you're all over the place (turn off), which you are but you won't tell them on the phone.
@"zeroblued", your advice sounds right. I am going to reach out some alumni - if it doesn't work, I will try cold emailing people to talk with them. What do you mean by "just don't sound like you're all over the place"? Didn't understand that one bit.
On another note, I have a feeling I must correct my messages/talking-style to be more humble and so that people could be more receptive of me over the internet. I'd search for resources here to find how to cold-email etc to get a better idea.
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