How can I get into high finance with a consulting background?
I have a background in consulting with big 4s working with different banks & institutions within the compliance, fraud and financial fraud space. What are the chances of landing an entry level role with my experience in high finance such as corporate finance, investment banking, private equity, etc., or at least what would be the easiest route to enter?
I come from a non-target institution where I graduated with a 3.5. I have the drive, common sense, willingness to work hard, interest and even looks if that matters. I am latino and speak Spanish and Portuguese and I am a model as well. I don't have high net worth connections and I don't play golf or come from a school where I played any sports so I know those are minuses. I used to be a swimmer in high school for what is worth but I am reaching 30.
I currently work in Risk Management for a publicly traded company working with their subsidiaries and I have been willing to leave all of this experience behind to get into high finance but I just don't know how. Every time I try to talk to someone in the field they all look so intimidating and unapproachable. I know so many people who say you don't need an MBA to get into it or that it can be done with the right skills and self-studying but how? Where should I start? I have done so many applications for jobs and even tried cold messaging on LinkedIn and nothing has ever happened and it leaves me very discouraged because I am smart and I can get things done. I am middle class and I can't really leave a full-time job to go to school and get into debt here in NYC and not know what will happen but I can't stop thinking about it because I know I can work in the field. I just have so much regret and disappointment for not having pursued this when I started school, I come from nothing and my parents don't even understand this field so it wasn't until I was working in corporate America that I realized this was possible but difficult. I just hate that I can't go back in time and reroute my career, even though being in Consulting has allowed me to build a decent nice life for myself where I get to travel for fun and also be a fashion model but I feel this professional frustration that consumes me.
Please can we stop using the term “high finance” 🥴
Never heard it outside WSO and if I said it on the Street, I’d be punched within 10 seconds
lol, forgive me.
hahaha don't sweat it. more of a general statement. you don't seem to be the problem ;)
i want to apologise as I cannot really answer your question - i lack any form of relevant knowledge. what i would say though, is try to leverage your situation. you speak spanish, right? have you tried to look at groups/firms with heavy LatAm presence, or considered moving to london/spain where speaking two languages is very valuable?
on the other hand, i'd question why you really care about front office banking or the buy side so much. you're a consultant, not considered going to MBB? there are routes and people I've seen that go from consulting to an operating-based role as hedge funds or PE, though it seems quite rare. and, for what it's worth, most i've seen or read on here making a big career move do so through an MBA. Unfortunately at your age (assuming late 20s, yu mention near 30) i can't see there being another way.
maybe take time to question why you really care about working in a flashy finance job, when you're already quite established. take out the prestige element, and what's the draw really?
it's really odd, and realistically speaking i do have a great set up already with a good job and modeling on the side, but somehow its more regret than anything. i regret not knowing anything about the field, i feel sorry for myself for not having a circle that introduced me into it until after i finished college. as an immigrant i was running a race during college of being a full-time student and holding a full-time job, yet i still managed to finish with a 3.5, but its internal anger and regret with my past (which i know i cant change) more than anything that is consuming me and i somehow see it as a challenge, because people in these roles often look down on those who aren't on it. i just wish the industry was more open to allowing others who would be also equally as rewarding for the firms.
realistically speaking, i cant afford to quit a full-time job to go into school for a full-time mba and get into huge debt and not know what will happen -- its money that has to be paid regardless. of course i can do a cheap mba and pay it with my salary and not be in debt but where is that going to take me in a city like new york where only the elites are here. it's more so wishful thinking and what ifs than anything but it still affects my mind but i know that in the long run, i am going to have a much more healthier life with my international travel, modeling, and job that allows me to have a decent life.
thank you, i truly have to sit with inner me and find out why i am so infatuated with it, thank you
thank you.
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