Becoming an Associate...

Hey guys,

Before saying anything else, I gotta say that this board is awesome. I am not in finance, but thanks to posters like Genghiskhan, who have provided incredible insights, I have a better understanding of Finance and IB in particular.

Now my question, haha...

I plan to matriculate into an MBA program next fall. I submitted round 1 application, and have interviewed with 3 schools, all of which are among the seven top Schools. I got the nod from Kellogg (...yeah, it's not known for banking...) last week. I'll hear back from the others this week.

My post-mba goal is to be in banking. However, my concern is that I don't have ANY finance (or quant) experience.

If I do go to a school like Columbia, and if pass the CFA level 1 this June, do you think i'll have a shot at a banking internship next summer?

I'm not too picky about where I do my internship. (it doesn't have to be at an BB) I am all about getting banking experience,
so that I could maybe, somehow, use that to help me land a BB FT offer the following fall.

Is this game plan sound, or am I crazy?

Thanks!

 

You should be fine if you get into columbia and do CFA L1. Kellogg would likely get the job done as well.

If you have motivation to do banking, all the better. Crazy as it sounds, alot of people who get into the top banks are unsure about what they really want to do, and conflicts arise as they constantly map out their exit strategies.

Top banks recruit on top MBA campuses. Many people on this board have gotten offers having to network on their own with only a few interviews to speak of. Again, you would be in great position to get the job you want.

PLEASE DONT CHANGE EXCEL SHORTCUTS!!!
 

Thanks, Moneypoker! I was a bit concerned about my lack of experience. It's great to know, though, that I do have a fighting chance.

With that being said, will banks still be accepting Summer Associates (that is, at their usual rates) next summer? I'm a bit worried about employment climate given the effects of the subprime slowdown...

Also, I've heard that there are finance/ IB casebooks that I can work through. Any recommendations? (I've already read Wetfeet and Vault's IB guide)

You're the best, Moneypoker!

 
Best Response

Side question:

Is completion of the CFA viewed favorably in the investment banking community? I'm a senior at a non-target and I have accepted an offer from a MM. I've passed L1 and am currently studying for L2, so I am sure my progress on the CFA played a role to one degree or another. Generally speaking, do banks care if an analyst has completed the CFA? Some say it is similar to a finance-specific MBA, but in my mind, it may create more confusion since the CFA is typically a HF/money management/sell-side analyst designation. Let me know your thoughts.

(sorry if this takes away from your main question, recedinghairline, but I believe it is relevant).

 

Alias magni et mollitia deserunt aut. Dignissimos voluptas est sapiente debitis nihil sit. Natus aut et minima provident ab. Asperiores dolores assumenda sequi rem fugit nam in. Placeat voluptates qui error dolorem aperiam recusandae. Excepturi vitae et iste nobis blanditiis corrupti reiciendis aperiam. Ducimus fugiat quis voluptatibus velit ad nemo veritatis.

Adipisci qui quia repudiandae totam voluptas dolore. Aperiam est et tempore alias.

Voluptatem cum eos distinctio dolores. Expedita quam enim voluptas veritatis. Eum quo et dolores tempore. Sint sunt cumque rerum rerum eveniet optio. Alias quidem enim amet exercitationem dolores.

PLEASE DONT CHANGE EXCEL SHORTCUTS!!!

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Lazard Freres No 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 18 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (91) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (68) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”