FT recruiting with no SA26 at a big bank

Rising senior at one of the weaker Canadian semi-targets, mid 3.5 GPA. Got 3 M&A/transaction advisory boutique internships (including the internship I'm currently doing) plus a short part time gig at a startup. All small shops but with a decent transaction track record. Last two were in a healthcare-adjacent niche.

Trying to figure out how to step it up and land something at a bigger MM bank or a Big 6 group for full time. Had interviews with respected CD teams / Constellation type shops before but way less luck with the bigger banks.

My whole networking strat so far has been cold emailing VPs/Directors/MDs at smaller shops en masse, which obviously has to change now that I'm going after bigger teams. Pulled one referral off an analyst on a strong coverage team recently but that's about it.

Anyone here recruit FT from a similar spot (no brand name SA, semi-target, mid GPA)? What actually worked for you?

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