Did I miss the IB boat?

I'm an undergrad senior attending a non target in NYC that's famous for it's accounting program, you can guess which one that is. I noticed a lot of internships ask for juniors as opposed to seniors. Why is that? Since it's hard enough getting into a summer analyst program coming from a non target background, can the fact that I'm not a junior diminish my chances? Should I apply to some boutiques? How would I go about doing that if they don't recruit at my school?

Thanks.

9 Comments
 

hmmmmm, i am a senior at a nontarget as well,

I think the most of the MM banks, FT season is over, you should reach out to bountiques via alums, cold email, cold call.

I don't think you are eligible for a structure junior summer anlyast gig

 

Almost all summer analyst programs are reserved for rising seniors (aka current juniors). Major banks are very strict about this and will not allow seniors to fill these spots. However, boutique banks may be willing to bend the rules since they have a less structured recruiting process. I would reach out to some boutiques, but why are you looking for an internship rather than FT?

 
Best Response

Baruch. My estimated graduation date is 12/11. I was also thinking about taking some finance courses (I'm an accounting major) to push back my graduation date to 6/12 if that would get me a spot. Also, since we share the same core classes, I really only need 3 finance courses to theoretically double major. The reason why I was thinking about an internship is because I plan to go for an MBA immediately after so I can sit down for my CPA. I heard it's a nice thing to have, but not a deal breaker. But I don't think it's a bad idea to have both a CPA and CFA designation. Besides, I don't know if any banks would offer me a FT gig due to my lack of significant professional experience, although I do have an above average GPA.

 
figjamBaruch. My estimated graduation date is 12/11. I was also thinking about taking some finance courses (I'm an accounting major) to push back my graduation date to 6/12 if that would get me a spot. Also, since we share the same core classes, I really only need 3 finance courses to theoretically double major. The reason why I was thinking about an internship is because I plan to go for an MBA immediately after so I can sit down for my CPA. I heard it's a nice thing to have, but not a deal breaker. But I don't think it's a bad idea to have both a CPA and CFA designation. Besides, I don't know if any banks would offer me a FT gig due to my lack of significant professional experience, although I do have an above average GPA.

I would strongly reconsider going straight from UG to BSchool. If you do, you aren't going to get into an MBA program that will do much, if anything, for you without work experience. You would probably (granted I'm not an accountant) be better served to get an MAcc to fulfill the credit requirements for your CPA. Staying another semester, if it's not cost prohibitive, and getting the second major may not be a bad idea either. It'll give you more time to network and try to find a boutique as well as improve your profile. As far as the CFA is concerned, IB doesn't really care too much about it. It's more of an Asset Management designation. That's not to say that having a CPA and a CFA down the road won't be beneficial but in terms of what you are trying to accomplish now, the time you would spend studying for the CFA L1 would be better spent networking.

Because of your proximity to the NYC area, it would also help you a great deal if you could get an unpaid gig somewhere as it would help you establish some level of experience in the field as well as forge the contacts/references that you will need going forward.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 
happypantsmcgee
figjamBaruch. My estimated graduation date is 12/11. I was also thinking about taking some finance courses (I'm an accounting major) to push back my graduation date to 6/12 if that would get me a spot. Also, since we share the same core classes, I really only need 3 finance courses to theoretically double major. The reason why I was thinking about an internship is because I plan to go for an MBA immediately after so I can sit down for my CPA. I heard it's a nice thing to have, but not a deal breaker. But I don't think it's a bad idea to have both a CPA and CFA designation. Besides, I don't know if any banks would offer me a FT gig due to my lack of significant professional experience, although I do have an above average GPA.

I would strongly reconsider going straight from UG to BSchool. If you do, you aren't going to get into an MBA program that will do much, if anything, for you without work experience. You would probably (granted I'm not an accountant) be better served to get an MAcc to fulfill the credit requirements for your CPA. Staying another semester, if it's not cost prohibitive, and getting the second major may not be a bad idea either. It'll give you more time to network and try to find a boutique as well as improve your profile. As far as the CFA is concerned, IB doesn't really care too much about it. It's more of an Asset Management designation. That's not to say that having a CPA and a CFA down the road won't be beneficial but in terms of what you are trying to accomplish now, the time you would spend studying for the CFA L1 would be better spent networking.

Because of your proximity to the NYC area, it would also help you a great deal if you could get an unpaid gig somewhere as it would help you establish some level of experience in the field as well as forge the contacts/references that you will need going forward.

Cost is definitely not a concern, however my school does not allow double majors, so I would have a theoretical degree in Finance. As far as internships go, I am having zero luck. I have been applying constantly to anything relating to finance and I've gotten no replies. That is a major problem I'm experiencing. How can I get any experience if even unpaid internships won't consider me. That is the only reason why I'm even considering grad school right away.

 
figjam
happypantsmcgee
figjamBaruch. My estimated graduation date is 12/11. I was also thinking about taking some finance courses (I'm an accounting major) to push back my graduation date to 6/12 if that would get me a spot. Also, since we share the same core classes, I really only need 3 finance courses to theoretically double major. The reason why I was thinking about an internship is because I plan to go for an MBA immediately after so I can sit down for my CPA. I heard it's a nice thing to have, but not a deal breaker. But I don't think it's a bad idea to have both a CPA and CFA designation. Besides, I don't know if any banks would offer me a FT gig due to my lack of significant professional experience, although I do have an above average GPA.

I would strongly reconsider going straight from UG to BSchool. If you do, you aren't going to get into an MBA program that will do much, if anything, for you without work experience. You would probably (granted I'm not an accountant) be better served to get an MAcc to fulfill the credit requirements for your CPA. Staying another semester, if it's not cost prohibitive, and getting the second major may not be a bad idea either. It'll give you more time to network and try to find a boutique as well as improve your profile. As far as the CFA is concerned, IB doesn't really care too much about it. It's more of an Asset Management designation. That's not to say that having a CPA and a CFA down the road won't be beneficial but in terms of what you are trying to accomplish now, the time you would spend studying for the CFA L1 would be better spent networking.

Because of your proximity to the NYC area, it would also help you a great deal if you could get an unpaid gig somewhere as it would help you establish some level of experience in the field as well as forge the contacts/references that you will need going forward.

Cost is definitely not a concern, however my school does not allow double majors, so I would have a theoretical degree in Finance. As far as internships go, I am having zero luck. I have been applying constantly to anything relating to finance and I've gotten no replies. That is a major problem I'm experiencing. How can I get any experience if even unpaid internships won't consider me. That is the only reason why I'm even considering grad school right away.

The reason you are having difficulty, unless I'm misinterpreting what you wrote, is that you are 'applying' for unpaid internships. If you really want to have a shot at something now, particularly off cycle, you're more than likely going to have to cold call/email firms and offer your services free of charge. Send out 1000 emails if you have to, the wider the net you cast, the higher the chance of success. It doesn't have to be exactly what you want to do, but you need something in terms of experience. Get the names of Asset Management firms in your area, there are probably hundreds in Manhattan alone. Just hit up every place you can find and eventually you'll be able to come up with something.

As far as the double major goes, I forgot that Baruch had that little rule or whatever it is that prevents double majors, why they do that never ceases to amaze me but whatever. I still think that taking the additional courses could be helpful in that places are generally more receptive to taking on unpaid interns when they're students more so than if they're simply unemployed recent grads (at least in my experience). Just keep using what contacts you have and don't let up.

Almost forgot, don't be afraid of asking for a meeting in an email. Just say something like you want to learn more about the industry, whatever. If you can get a sit down with someone, your chances of success are greatly improved.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 
happypantsmcgee
figjam
happypantsmcgee
figjamBaruch. My estimated graduation date is 12/11. I was also thinking about taking some finance courses (I'm an accounting major) to push back my graduation date to 6/12 if that would get me a spot. Also, since we share the same core classes, I really only need 3 finance courses to theoretically double major. The reason why I was thinking about an internship is because I plan to go for an MBA immediately after so I can sit down for my CPA. I heard it's a nice thing to have, but not a deal breaker. But I don't think it's a bad idea to have both a CPA and CFA designation. Besides, I don't know if any banks would offer me a FT gig due to my lack of significant professional experience, although I do have an above average GPA.

I would strongly reconsider going straight from UG to BSchool. If you do, you aren't going to get into an MBA program that will do much, if anything, for you without work experience. You would probably (granted I'm not an accountant) be better served to get an MAcc to fulfill the credit requirements for your CPA. Staying another semester, if it's not cost prohibitive, and getting the second major may not be a bad idea either. It'll give you more time to network and try to find a boutique as well as improve your profile. As far as the CFA is concerned, IB doesn't really care too much about it. It's more of an Asset Management designation. That's not to say that having a CPA and a CFA down the road won't be beneficial but in terms of what you are trying to accomplish now, the time you would spend studying for the CFA L1 would be better spent networking.

Because of your proximity to the NYC area, it would also help you a great deal if you could get an unpaid gig somewhere as it would help you establish some level of experience in the field as well as forge the contacts/references that you will need going forward.

Cost is definitely not a concern, however my school does not allow double majors, so I would have a theoretical degree in Finance. As far as internships go, I am having zero luck. I have been applying constantly to anything relating to finance and I've gotten no replies. That is a major problem I'm experiencing. How can I get any experience if even unpaid internships won't consider me. That is the only reason why I'm even considering grad school right away.

The reason you are having difficulty, unless I'm misinterpreting what you wrote, is that you are 'applying' for unpaid internships. If you really want to have a shot at something now, particularly off cycle, you're more than likely going to have to cold call/email firms and offer your services free of charge. Send out 1000 emails if you have to, the wider the net you cast, the higher the chance of success. It doesn't have to be exactly what you want to do, but you need something in terms of experience. Get the names of Asset Management firms in your area, there are probably hundreds in Manhattan alone. Just hit up every place you can find and eventually you'll be able to come up with something.

As far as the double major goes, I forgot that Baruch had that little rule or whatever it is that prevents double majors, why they do that never ceases to amaze me but whatever. I still think that taking the additional courses could be helpful in that places are generally more receptive to taking on unpaid interns when they're students more so than if they're simply unemployed recent grads (at least in my experience). Just keep using what contacts you have and don't let up.

Almost forgot, don't be afraid of asking for a meeting in an email. Just say something like you want to learn more about the industry, whatever. If you can get a sit down with someone, your chances of success are greatly improved.

Yes, I've been "applying". I suppose that's where I went wrong. I'll do some cold callings/emails. Thanks.

 

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