So lets say theoretically you found yourself working at a MM IB and your hours actually turned out to be very manageable - 60 hours a week, no more. While working at a MM IB is still pretty good on the resume, it's definitely not a 2-year slam dunk for a great buy-side gig or a spot at HBS. So lets say a motivated person in this position wanted to do something more productive with their after-hours time - start a business or something similar. This would serve both as a fun (fun for someone who likes to work) pass time, and as a great resume booster for either buy-side or business school.
What would you do if you could spend 3-4 hours a day + weekends working on something? Can't be too capital intensive, but clearly it takes money to make money.
I'd network to try and source a deal personally. Takes no capital and do don't actually have to be successful to get something out of it (set up a few calls with between your boss and a potential client and your star will rise, even if you don't end up winning the business). You can get involved with a charity / other organization in conjunction with your networking if you want to throw something on the resume.
Probably the best idea, as it would allow you to make money on the side and simultaneously build your network which is directly applicable to your current job.
I have manageable hours as well and I've been getting really involved in volunteering/non-profits (especially in NYC, where there are plenty).
I highly recommend it. A side venture sounds awesome. What do you have in mind?
I really like the sourcing a deal idea - and I've already started to work on something like that. It's also clearly a boost to the resume even though it's more of a bullet point. Sourcing deals and working with people is really the aspect of banking I enjoy the most (sacrilege though it might be to say something like that to all the monkeys on WSO!).
I'm into the charity thing as well but I've honestly never really gotten involved in that before. My interests lie in aiding business development in sub-saharan Africa. Anyone have a suggestion on that? Maybe I should even post a new forum for that topic alone.
I still love the idea of a side - venture, but I'm struggling to think of a viable business that I could do for 3 hours a day plus weekends. It can't be all consuming because clearly I can't be taking my business calls while working at the IB.
What do you have in mind for business development in Sub-Saharan Africa? PM me, i've got substantial experience in this region.
Remember Andrew Carnegie: "The wise man puts all his eggs in one basket and watches the basket."
Your career is the basket (at this point).
Last week I talked the director of a portfolio company who I found out I had a connection with. Casually mentioned it to my boss this week. This is not the first time I have done this and I know it has been noticed by some of the higher-ups within our firm.
Also, I don't know what type of middle market bank you are working at, but I can say with almost 100% certainty that there will be weeks (or even worse, months) during your analyst stint when you won't have the time to run a Popsicle stand.
...but I love popsicles :(
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