Another damned 'MBA needed' Q.

Ok, I've read a lot online,a lot of finance blogs and I've found a masters isn't required to move from analyst to associate. (Why would I want to? If i don't get into private equity)

So, in a couple years I secure my analyst program, they let me stay on for a third year because I did all the right things well, how common is it to go from analyst to associate? Is there a chance you'll get the message from your MD to stay a third year, but not get that offer?

If so, is that a good time to go get a masters? If so, I know in the US it's typically an MBA, but in the UK, is it best to get a Masters in Finance to break in as associate?

Would really appreciate some feedback, I want to aim to go into PE but if not, stay with a firm and build a presence by promotion.

2 Comments
 

A pre-experience masters will be useless after your analist stint. (and the majority of masters in finance that are timeworthy are pre-experience, for example the LSE/Oxbridge ones)

Post-experience masters in finance are more geared towards individuals who want to make it to IB but failed to do before, not for the ones who already work in investment banking.

That said, the London Business School offers a post-experience Msc Finance which is top notch, and you get a tremendous brand name on your résumé.

Oh and by the way, PE in europe is a lot less structured. Several IBankers entered Megafunds AFTER their associate/VP role, just check some MF websites.

 

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