I will be 30 in April. I recently discovered my longterm goal in to be in PE. I want to start with IB or PE.
My background...
- Currently enrolled to CFA Level 1 -first exam is in June 2020
- Have an MSc. in Energy finance from University of Edinburgh
- My BSc. was in environment management, but I have a diploma in Accounting.
- My current position is Finance manager for a small NPO in clean energy, my previous experience is in accounting.
- Based in Dubai
Basically I do not have a strong Finance and Banking background, more of accounting, admin and research, this is why I am enrolled to CFA. I have applied to several positions in IB and PE but I seem not to get any interviews. I try to network but none from my contacts is in IB or PE. Am open to change locations if that's what it takes.
- Am I too old for IB?
- Is there a chance to breakthrough with my current background?
- Where would you advice me to start? I really want to switch from my current industry to IB or PE.
Help this lost Girl. I am feeling less motivated lately.
Yours trully,
Dubai 1
No, you're not too old. I don't think I will start IB until I am 32/33+ as an analyst. I don't think age is an issue, experience is.
If you are wondering why I am starting older, I have epilepsy and suffer from seizures, recovering from brain surgery.
is this a joke?
You're going to hell for this one...
At least he’s going somewhere, as opposed to OP
Ok but why? I don't mean this in a dismissing way, but you'll need a good story for interviews. I understand that's not always easy and you'll get the usual generic advice of ''what kind of experiences do you have that led you to this?''
Again, I get the point, but it's poorly expressed. No. You aren't the first nor will be the last that changes career. Absolutely. Networking. There are dozens of great threads about this here, I highly recommend reading them, make a plan and go for it. It's quite a formative experience by itself to begin with. You also seem like you need to talk with people from the industry and there's simply no alternative to this. Not even reading every single PE thread on here will be sufficient. It's just another experience and set of info you can't get elsewhere.You are not to old to get in, just work on your network. Since you are in your 30s I know it sounds shallow , but try to workout and look act as young and energetic as a person in there 20s. More than anything give off the energy and eagerness that you will work 100s if needed. Try and read books for the technical stuff you might not know.
I was an IB analyst at 29. It's possible.