Graduating Senior — Now What?
I'm graduating from an Ivy with a degree in Political Science with some econ classes thrown in as well. I totally missed the boat about getting into the IB/consulting world my first 3 years of school, and it's only been in the past year that I've really wanted to pursue it. I understand most jobs were locked up in December, but I can't cry over spilled milk —now what? It's March and I feel like most opps are dried up. It also seems most firms only recruit undergrads, I might be screwed.
Anyone have any knowledge on a similar situation? I noticed Goldman has a "New Analyst" position available, but I'm wondering if that's an oversight and was meant to be taken down by now. Any help would be appreciated, I feel hopeless rn.
wow you're graduating from an Ivy League school in Poli Sci & Econ but don't have a job secured? Man COVID really f**ked up the job market even in the US (can't imagine how it is in other countries around the world....)
I'm partly at fault here as I never made an effort to look for jobs. I had thought I would take a gap year and apply to law school, but the more I thought about it the more I realized I would only be doing that because it was the path I was supposed to take; I really don't want to pursue that path. I am hoping to break my way into IB, gain some great knowledge and experiences and then hopefully get into a top B school.
So if you're only looking at IB/consulting now, what were your original post grad plans? How do you know you want to do IB/consulting now? IB and consulting are very different btw
Also, what are your previous internship experiences?
Truth of the matter is, I didn't have a concrete plan going into undergrad. I had an interest in politics, so I pursued it; I never really thought about what I would do post grad. I reckoned I would just go to law school; however, that option has become more and more unappealing to me. I've spent my own time researching the past 6 months, and I know IB and consulting are totally different, but each one resonates with me in different ways. I'd be grateful to pursue either. I'm hoping I can land something like Goldman's "Early Careers" which doesn't seem to exclude those who graduated already. As for past internships, that's the weak point of my resume. I've spent my summers at home with my family, helping my dad with his business and spending time with loved ones. I was set to do an internship at the Whitehouse, but Covid messed that up.
I was in a similar spot, though I went to a complete non-target, not an Ivy. Start networking now, lots of banks actually hiring and looking for people. Mostly laterals, but you might be able to get in somehow. If that doesn't work, maybe do a 5th year, a masters in finance (this is what I did), or look at boutique IB/Consulting. Last option is a Financial Analyst/Credit Analyst/Big 4 job and then try to lateral.
Good luck!
These are some great tips —thanks! I'm tempted to do a 5th year or a master in finance like you suggested. Wouldn't a masters in finance be from an MBA program? From what I was reading MBAs want a few years of experience after undergrad...
Yes with a MSF, you recruit for Analyst roles. But just realized you go to an Ivy, so MSF is not worth it for you, just do a 5th year at your school. Then find a summer internship at a boutique for this summer (shouldn't be too hard if you offer to work unpaid) and then recruit for FT 2022 and I am sure you can pull at least an MM offer.
Apply for a fifth year or graduate program -> internship -> graduate -> FT offer
Graduate as a 5th year through getting a minor in something marketable like statistics/cs/math/data-science. Spend your free-time learning technical skills & networking hard. You go to an ivy. Realistically you are recruiting on easy mode and should have no problem landing something at a Big 4, or MM firm in a second tier city to start.
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