Help me - Do I stand a chance?

Why are you studying where you are? If you're only 20, I'd suggest trying to get into a more reputable university, because it WILL make a difference. You just won't have the clout if your university isn't considered reputable in the IB world. The other option is finding a good opportunity after your undergrad at a top tier grad school after you've been in the industry for a few years. What's your major?

Try spelling words correctly.

Well, I'd start trying to get a head start on professional designations... which will be a problem with a history major for undergrad. Most professional designations ie: CPA, CFA, CMA, etc, require a degree that is business related, specifically accounting or finance. History is a viable option to get into a grad school to get an MBA in finance, or another business discipline. As far as getting a job in IB or BB or any other banking job right out of college that leads to M&A with a history degree is extremely bleak unless you have a personal relationship to leverage. If you don't have one, then I'd start getting into the finance community in whatever way you can. If you can find a bar, or some other hang out where you can gain exposure to people that are active in the industry, then you've got a shot at building some relationships. Another opportunity you might consider, if you want to get into M&A, is the law route. You could get your law degree (and pretty easily get into a good law school with a history degree), specialize in business transactions and get some experience at a law firm that does a ton of M&A work. This will most likely prove to be your path of least resistance, unless of course you can build the personal relationship with some high brass at a boutique IB firm. You have virtually no chance at trying to get into a large international IB firm, or Bulge Bracket bank with a history degree.

Forget about IB after undergrad. Lets face it, coming from a non-target school, its pretty much a requirement to be a Finance, Accounting or Engineering major.

History and the rest of liberal arts is viewed by everyone as a bullshit degree, and a waste of your college tuition. If you still have a chance change your major to Finance or something relevant.

As far as you being AWESOME at math, I'd like to hear what kind of math are you taking. I really don't see you as a liberal arts degree taking anything beyond precalc.

I find it surprising, that you've been reading about IB for 4 years and this comes as a surprise to you. I only found out about IB in September, and had failure because I didn't prepare my profile for the job search. You had 4 years to build yourself into something that could have had a very strong chance(strong ECs, experience, right major).

As far as MBA, it'll be pretty hard to get into a good program, as a history major, especially if everyone knows your school is horrible.

So here is my advice(read disclaimer), if you still have time change your major to Finance(even if it'll take you an extra year to graduate). This will allow you to get a job other than a librarian out of undergrad, and will make your MBA application a lot stronger. Then work your ass off, so that people would give you good reccomendations.

Of course all of this depends on you having a strong GPA.

And yes I know my reply was assholish, but come on, thats like saying I have a 2.5 from a community college, majoring in communications, and I want to do IB as a career!

Disclaimer: The post above has been made by someone who is not currently employed in IBD, and has not had an interview yet...

is this a joke?

I hope so.

bobby233:

My name is of little relevance, except that you might like to know that I began reading the bible (not the childrens) at 4 years of age.

Random, I say.

It does look a little suspect...

bobby233:

Hello there,

My name is of little relevance, except that you might like to know that I began reading the bible (not the childrens) at 4 years of age. Anyway, I am now in the united kingdom and no thanks to this shit fortune of mine, I'm having to endure life as an undergraduate at one of the worst universities in the country. I'm 20 and for four years now I've been reading around investement Banking. I'm quiet articulate, a good mathematician, and I sleep only 4 hrs a night. Do I stand a chance of obtaining an IB position. Please help--------other wise I might as well call it a day. I'm a very ambitious person- my only impediment is where i'm studying. What do you think?

I see many things wrong with this picture. You definitely don't have the right attitude. That "help me" attitude was an immediate turn off. You can only ask for advice (which is good that you're here)...don't expect anyone to walk the path for you or hand you the job.

What's your GPA? A sophomore? Junior?

You're NOT ambitious at all if you're gonna throw in the towel after we tell you how long of a shot it is for you rightnow. Don't let the name of your school or anything stop you from trying.

It wouldn't matter if you read the bible 6 months after being born. It's about using the wisdom to produce RESULTS. You need to back up your claims with real accomplishments...everything from being articulate to having good numerical skills. No employers are going to believe you otherwise.

I can't believe that you've been researching the IB industry for 4 years and not know where your credentials stand in the recruiting process. It sounds like you have not taken a single step into attaining a position.

Anyone can stand a chance as soon as he/she starts doing it right. What you need to do first: 1) find out if IB is really what you wanna pursue (many people do it for the wrong reasons)

Then, if you're a sophomore, I don't think it's too late for you. You have a lot of catching up to do though.

2) find out everything about what IB looks for in their people, like what you're doing now 3) plan it out, be disciplined and work your ass off to get 3.7+ GPA 4) transfer to a better school to increase your odds 5) network like crazy, find internships

But keep in mind that even after you've done all this, the odds are still slim, but at least you gave your all and you're prepared to find other good opportunities.

There's still the MBA route in the end, but it's even harder.

This is a troll, obvious little jackass troll too. It's a dawg eat dawg world.

bobby --Ask yourself WWD?

bobby --Ask yourself WWJD?