Hi,
I am a Ross sophomore, not in any finance clubs, 3.85+ gpa, one finance internship (non ib or PE) Am I cooked for ib ? How should I go about recruiting? What people should I aim to network with?
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:
Not Being in Finance Clubs:
GPA and Internship:
Recruiting Strategy:
People to Network With:
By following these steps, you can significantly improve your chances of breaking into investment banking. Keep hustling and make the most of the resources and networks available to you.
Sources: UMich Undergrad For IB Recruiting, Pre-Investment Banking Internship: Calling all freshmen and sophomores, Freshmen: What to do during your freshman year summer, UMich Undergrad For IB Recruiting, As a freshman what should I be doing?
How are you smart enough to get a 3.85 at a challenging university but you are also foolish enough to let the internet decide if you have a chance at your desired career path? What if a bunch of 18 year olds with no credentials piled on and stated that you were indeed "cooked", would you stop networking and applying?
The key to a career in IBD is persistence, determination, and the ability to keep pushing regardless of what your odds look like. The fact that you are clearly so successful in UG but so uncertain means you need a confidence boost. Brother, I had a 3.4 from a non-target and through sheer persistence I landed multiple IBD offers. No connections, no diversity, I wasn't even a Finance major. I just kept trying and called every single firm that was even somewhat credible. Fast forward years later and I had recruiters hitting me up for EB / BB IB roles and MM / MF PE opportunities.
Given you are clearly a smart kid, let me share with you the wisdom that I wish I had when I was your age. If you refuse to give up and truly believe in yourself, you will find a way to make it happen. Sure maybe you dont get the ideal IBD internship, maybe you dont get an IBD internship period, maybe you have to do B School and come back as an IBD Associate, but if you want it bad enough, eventually you will end up where you want to be.
If you wanted to play in the NBA, my advice would not hold true. But assuming you are a decent human being with a decent work ethic, you will find a way to make it into banking, if that is what you really want.
only thing ill disagree with is Ross' curriculum being a challenge
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