Feeling Unaccomplished; need advice
Hey guys, hope all is well. wanted to come on here to ask for some advice (and maybe feel validated a bit). For many years I worked super hard to break into IB; I participated in clubs at school, networked, studied for interviews, all that. I go to a top Ivy (HYP) and see all the people around me landing these positions and was eager to do so myself.
Now, I'm in my junior year and landed a position in PWM at a top BB in NYC. It's not really what I wanted but I was glad to get something. Now I feel like I'm at a point where I'm stuck; I'm not really confident in myself to be able to land something FT next year after my PWM SA is over, and I would definitely just take a return offer to play it safe. I'm also terrified of potentially reneging, and because of that I don't really feel comfortable trying again at some BBs next year. I really want to develop good wealth in my life and I don't want to get trapped in the world of PWM where I'm someone else's bitch the whole time and not making the money I want (and even if I do, it'll come way later in my life than I want it to).
My ultimate dream is PE or a hedge fund. How do I get back on the right track? Will smaller firms be willing to take me lateral from PWM?
I am a current senior now signed for FT IB next year. I was in your shoes, I assume you tried to recruit for SA but didn't land something? That is what happened to me. I thought my chances at banking were screwed without the super important and coveted "junior year SA internship". I ended up just taking some no name botique IB doing sourcing all day lol but was able to spin it well. I ended up having so many interviews for FT (a lot through networking) and ended up receiving an offer. Point is, things are not over at all like I thought, just because I missed the important junior year internship. Just polish up for recruiting again and FT recruit your senior year fall, it was actually way easier than I thought. You can easily in your story talk about why the transition from PWM to IB, you realized you loved working in the advisory business but wanted to pivot more towards understanding the bigger picture, why companies are making these decisions, rather than individuals and everyday people in PWM.
Thanks so much for this advice. Truly appreciated. I guess I just feel worried that I won't be able to have the skills they're looking for. In your case at least you had some sort of IB experience. I just worry I won't have enough to show for it and my studying won't be enough. I've been pretty bad with IB prep
First off congrats on HYP - I still find that alone very impressive. And that PWM role at BB - great spot to pivot into many roles so no sweat. 10+ years out of school here, did the whole non-IB/IB/buyside ride. Felt under accomplished throughout, but it bothered me less and less. Similar to how not swimming as fast as Phelps or not shooting as well as Curry doesn’t bother me, because it’s just not me. You can compete for the sake of competing but I highly doubt most people would find happiness on the other side. But I think how you walk your path is more important than how you can follow a “prestigious” path that has been taken by many before you. What’s your story? If and when you write your autobiography, what will we as readers get to read about? What’s meaningful to you? Few things can be more exciting than the fact that the pages are blank and you can write whatever you want on them. Sorry for sounding fuzzy here, but honestly wishing you the very best. From one stranger to another - you’ll be great.
Made me tear up reading that. Thank you so much :')
this comment was very helpful thank you
H and P aren't top schools, that's probably why you've had no luck. They might be some of the best ivies but pale in comparison to Yale, Oxbridge and the other nec plus ultra institutions. Try attending an actual top school.
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