hi guys, I just wanted to know if both height and ethnicity matter in IB now a day? I am a freshman in college and after learning about IB, it is a path I want to take but have been told that ones’ presence and ethnicity matter. I am 5’6 1/2 and both me and my parents migrated from Ecuador when I was 4. I am white and don’t look Hispanic at all lol
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Everywhere you go, looks and physical attractiveness matters. This includes how well your race is perceived by others as well
It's a fact of life, so yes it matters.
So you're saying I'm fucked?
nah if you're good at soccer then ur fine
will it affect my chances of landing an internship or even a full-time offer?
Height yes. Ethnicity no. The diversity machine has been churning long enough now that you're better off checking some sort of diversity box if everything else is solid (GPA, school, etc.). Height always matters, but we're all in that boat below 6'0.
Met plenty of people in finance with central/south american backgrounds and many were below the average height (5'9 or shorter). So the short answer to your question - no, height and ethnicity doesn't matter.
That said, the popularity contest never really goes away. Its important to fit in and share interests with the broader group. Having been here since you were 4, I think you'll be fine. Humans seem to be inherently tribal, and for better or for worse, my take is the tribe of finance circle is less white vs. others and more cultural/class vs. others. The type of school you go to, the first bank you work at, your interests outside of work, how you dress - those things send stronger "fit in" messages than height and ethnicity.
I would like to say that work ethic and intelligence are the biggest drivers of success, but you can't ignore the popularity contest.. Luckily the older we get, the less the truly superficial things start to matter and more of the "how to win friends and influence people" stuff takes precedence.
Sorry for rambling.. haven't had my coffee yet.
It matters insofar as you make it matter. If you're super insecure about your height and ethnicity and make awkward references to it or let it impair your confidence it'll come through in interviews in an off putting way.
If you carry yourself with confidence then it won't matter. The managing partner at my previous fund was tiny -- I'm talking less than 5'5 -- who absolutely commanded rooms with his presence. Maybe if he was 6 feet tall he could've raised bigger funds, but by any objective standard he's incredibly successful.
Henry?
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/is-57-58-too-short-to-succeed-in…
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