How to Get into Investment Banking from Engineering
I graduated school in May 2016. I have two investment banking internships during the fall of my junior year and the summer of 2015. They were really small boutiques, nothing big. I wasn't able to land a full-time position so I chose a Software Engineering position because I needed the money. I am still pursuing banking (mostly at regional boutiques) and MM firms. I'm scared that I will never get into banking and that I should give up and pursue something else. I don't want to give up so I'm still trying. I am still sending out my resume and cold-emailing. I thought about taking the Series 63 and 79 to make myself more marketable. Would this help? Does anyone have any recommendations as to what I should do to land a position anywhere?
Chemical Engineer going into Trading or IBD (Originally Posted: 05/23/2013)
Hi, I am now majoring chemical engineering and minoring in finance at one of the top 3 engineering schools. Also, I have a few internship experiences in a top 5 consulting firm and Chevron, and Samsung.
I still have two years left. I know I really want to go into banking industry for its dynamic ambience, personal preference to actually interact with people rather than sitting my butt in the lab for 24/7, and being in the city.
I am currently working at the corporate finance department at the consulting firm and really enjoyed researching and constructing a business model for upcoming M&As and etc.
But, I heard an engineer can be more successful in trading than IBD. (which I am not really sure..)
What are the traits that you need to become a good trader or good IB analyst?
And, do you think I am competent to become a IB analyst in future? If not, what do I need to do in next summer?
Thank you in advance for your advice.
-Ignacio
So long as you are good with people you should do banking instead of trading. If you are really good with numbers or building quant models for algo shops, you might want to do trading instead. Depends on the personality. Most engineers do not have anywhere near the social skills to do banking (at least at the higher levels; often they'll get ridden on for analyst type work while the MD's laugh about how said analyst has no real future in banking). This will be the reality for a good portion of the people on WSO (or they'll be able to jump to HF and PE where people skills don't matter anywhere near as much).
Based you your background, I'm sure you have the traits / intellectual bandwidth to do well in either trading or banking, at least at the lower levels.
But what does "dynamic ambience" mean
"rather than sitting my butt in the lab for 24/7" You'll do that as well in IBD
Engineering to Investment Banking? (Originally Posted: 01/27/2018)
So I'm currently a Computer Engineering Sophomore at Missouri Science and Technology with a minor in Finance. I've recently discovered Investment Banking and would love to go into this field, how would I go about getting into iBanking. My gpa is a 3.72 so far in college, so would it be best for me to change major? Or try transferring to a target school? Or something else. I could really use some advice, thanks.
Learn everything you can about Python and try to pick up a minor, if not a second major, in statistics. If you graduate with that, someone out there will give you a shot in their analytics and/or data science department. That field is so pressed for people that you will have an impressive resume if you can prove that you can program and you know your way with numbers.
So would use this to get foot in door and then transfer over to whatever department I would like?
Best Engineering Major for IB (Originally Posted: 03/07/2014)
I m only a grade 12 students but I have decided to pursue an engineering degree as a backup and upon finishing my bachelor I will attempt to enter the business side of things. But, I was wondering which major will be best suited for this. Would electrical be good because it gives me programming experience?
Also, because I am from canada, I have applied to uoft, mcgill, ubc, and Waterloo. Which institutions would best set me up for this opportunity in terms of networking and getting into the business side of things?
Also, do you recommend getting internship from engineering side or analyst position?
I have a degree in Indus. Eng and was looked down upon in interviews because I didn't major in finance/business administration. The work you'll do as an engineer goes over and beyond what meaningless BS you'll do as an analyst in IB.
Okay, then this isn't a good idea?
It's not a bad idea, but I wouldn't do those schools. Maybe look at Queen's if you can as it allows you to participate in OCR no matter what faculty you are in. It gives you something to stand out a bit, and can be useful for certain groups.. e.g you do do mining engineering then work in a natural resources team.
Mcgill I think is best for finance, seen a lot of alumni from Mcgill on the street from top shops.
I would honestly apply to Columbia and Upenn as well. and if you think you have the stats: HPYS, MIT, U michigan, UC Berkley.
all have solid alumni bases. if you can get a scholarship to U mich (apply to the business college), go! its the only state school with REALLY good placements.
As for majors, my friends doing industrial which is the best if you want to do finance. I'd suggest Industrial engineering, Statistics, Mathematics, Finance, Economics, Accounting.
Pick whichever one you can get a 3.6+ GPA in. (pickup the accounting minor if those classes don't wreck your grade) otherwise learn accounting on your own if its not your major/minor
Don't do engineering if you don't want to go into engineering. Trust me on this. Your sanity will thank me later.
If you insist on being a masochist, then do something in the engineering department that's not REALLY engineering, such as Industrial/Systems/Operations Research/etc. This will serve your purpose without driving you mad.
Doing one of the traditional engineering fields (mechanical, electrical, chemical, materials, etc) while simultaneously trying to maintain a solid gpa, get into an entirely different field (finance) and enjoy college is a recipe for disaster.
True story....im literally hating college life right now
^this. It blows, trust me.
Then I shouldnt go to mcgill since it doesnt offer me anything outside the traditional engineering discipline? Then how does the people in finance break into it? What do they major in? In terms of engineering?
do Mcgill finance or accounting, itll get you to investment banking/consulting. from there can go wherever you want. pick up programming or accounting minors to help
scratch that, do some searches on this forum and find the best school...honesty ones with on campus recruiting and not too competitive an atmosphere is best
If you're 100% on banking do Queen's or Ivey. Nowhere else really gets the OCR that they do.
The nice thing about Ivey is that you're able to do your first 2 years in engineering if it's something you're passionate before switching over to the HBA.
I am not 100% into banking but I will like to keep that possibility opened. I actually only have applied to mcgill, uoft, ubc, and waterloo but they are all engineering. Would mcgill give me a chance to get into ibanking?
never heard of the other 3...but ask canadians to confirm. You will have to learn to network either way.
Use this link: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/how-i-used-linkedin-to-get-interv…
HYP Engineering to IB? (Originally Posted: 05/24/2012)
Hey guys, I want to talk about engineering at HYP and other ivies for IB, consulting, finance in general, and everything else(grad school). I know Princeton ORFE is highly regarded, but it seems like it would be hard to take other humanities classes and is extremely hard, even compared to most engineering majors. So how would someone majoring in civil and environmental engineering at Princeton fare? Would there questioning to why you didn't go for ORFE? Also, even though Yale isn't usually considered great for engineering I am pretty sure they would be fine when it comes to recruiting just because it is Yale. However, Yale offers several different degrees; there is an accredited BS which requires the most related classes, something around 20 I believe, then a regular BS, something like 15, a little more freedom, and an AB, like 9 related classes with only 2 required prereqs, a TON of freedom, it even says so on the Yale website. Would someone with an AB be questioned and looked down upon as going the "easy way out", or would it help so you could take some econ classes and other things and put on your resume substantial classes in econ and put some down or something. Lastly, at Yale and Princeton for sure, not sure about Harvard, the SEAS majors have like an 18-20% acceptance rate, there is factual evidence but I am to lazy to cite where I got my information. Just so you know Civil and Environment Engineering are what I am looking at, because that is what I am interested in.
If you already know so much, why are you still asking people on this forum?
Just FYI, the best Ivy engineering programs (by reputation) are Cornell, Princeton and Columbia.
Because I don't now too much about how it will be perceived for IB/Consulting, and I figured I could get a little hep here
If you go to any of the HYPS schools you can major in anything you'd like without it adversely affecting your recruiting chances. Choosing to concentrate in a hard major like engineering will always be seen as a good thing as long as you're not a complete nerd.
Ya that's definitely not my problem, and its not like I'm doing very quanty type things like Comp Sci and Pure Math, I'm more interested in Civil and Environment engineering
Then go for it. Study something you're interested in.
If you're able to get into one of those schools, you're free to do whatever you'd like.
Can anyone answer the question please? This isn't a question you can answer with "at HYP you can major in whatever you want". It is actually a pretty specific question.
That's a long post for a specific question and I'm pretty lazy. I'll answer if you condense it.
If you did something hard like compsci but kept up with finance stuff, you'd probably have a decent shot. Something like civil engineering is going to be less competitive because it is 1) easy and 2) unrelated to finance
the answer is no. and yes, princeton ORFE is boss. you should major in that.
Alright. Want to do IB/Consulting/possibly law school. Want to major in civil or environmental engineering, but open to others. At HYP easier to get into through SEAS, way higher acceptance rates(~18%). How would Civil Eng. major stack up against ORFE at Princeton? Princeton requires a lot of classes for Eng., skeptical. Yale can either do accredited BS, 20 related classes, regular BS, 15 related classes, BA, 9 related classes, designed for more freedom. Will BA be looked down upon, questioned?
just shut the fuck up for a second, tell us which fucking school you are actually at. i can answer any princeton questions.
Its not like I said Ivy League, I asked 2 specific questions about Yale and Princeton's programs.
ok then just shut the fuck up
So what's your question? Whether it's possible? Yes, it is possible to get an IB job as a civil engineering or environmental engineering major from Yale or Princeton. holla_back answered your question. You can actually get through IBD recruiting with any major from a top school.
Also, it sounds like you're a high school senior. 1.) Something like 80% of people at top schools change their major in college. 2.) Many people who apply as engineering students don't graduate as engineering majors. 3.) Get in and then let's talk.
Take into account the fact that if you major in something difficult like engineering, you're going to spend the majority of your time on schoolwork while the kids who did econ or political science or whatever will be spending that time networking, practicing for interviews, and being more involved with finance-type things.
You don't really get bonus points for majoring in something hard. All that matters is your GPA, so if you think you can do well with a hard major and still have time to be as involved as others, then by all means go for it.
Also fyi, at Harvard and Yale, it is definitely not easier to get in as an engineering major. It's not like Penn where you apply to separate schools. You apply to the college as a whole and then choose your major once you're a student there. Do some more research.
Engineering student with average marks, but strong experience looking for IB internship (Originally Posted: 02/25/2017)
Hey guys,
First time poster
I'm a current final year engineering student with average/credit level marks.
However, I've been an business analyst intern for over a year at one of the leading startups. Lots of skills, knowledge, versatile, been thrown in the deep-end many times.
Just wondering of what you think my chances are for IB internship? Currently looking forward to JPM Winter Internship in Sydney
Far more interested in finance than engineering.
Any thoughts? Worth even applying or are my marks just too poor (incl. a fail on transcript from last year).
Cheers guys :)
Anyone got an advice?
How do I break into IB (or S&T) as a software engineer with 1 year experience? (San Francisco) (Originally Posted: 02/22/2016)
I'm a year out of college and have about 8 months of experience as a software engineer here in San Francisco. I didn't go to a prestigious school - it's top 40, but I know of not a single person that has gone into IB from my school. I have been very much interested in finance since I was young (dad was in S&T) and my daily reading is 80/20 finance to tech news, which made me think about my career path and realized that I'm not sure if engineering is right for me.
What is steering me away from software is that I don't really share the same interest as most people in tech (I know this isn't all that important) and that although I know I am competent, I don't really live and breath software as most people in tech do and know that most of my peers are probably much more knowledgeable than me.
Given this, is there any way I can break into IB or S&T? I don't have any connections or know many people in San Francisco. Also, none of my friends are in finance except a childhood friend that just recently started as an associate at GS in NY. I'm guessing exams won't help (and also I wouldn't be sponsored by anyone anyways) and cold-applying to analyst positions/emailing BB firms won't help either if no one from my school gets into IB at a BB in the first place. Is there another industry I could break into easier with my background that could lead to an associate position?
Please let me know if there's any info I can provide for you guys to help me. Thanks!
Does you dad have any connections at the moment? And what about that childhood friend? You have to go the extra mile or maybe thousand to be even remotely considered for IBD so start working on your networking.
If everything fails then continue for a couple of years and go for an MBA.
Nope, my dad got in back when anyone could get a job in s&t and everyone he knows is also retired. How would I even ask that friend to help though? He has no connections within GS (got in on merit) and I'm not sure how he can help someone that didn't go to anything close to a target school with no finance related degree.
ttt
Industrial Engineering to IB (Originally Posted: 09/25/2016)
I'm a senior in industrial engineering at a state college. I have worked for two f500 companies so far. One of which I am currently co-oping in the process improvement group. The one prior to that, was in a corporate finance group (procurement). I have participated in extracurricular activities (RA and e-board) and have a decent gpa (3.45).
Because I am doing a co-op year I have one more summer open before I begin my last year of classes.
What can I do between now and the summer to obtain an internship at one of the BB in a IB role given that I am from a non-target and that I lack a solid business background?
Was good enough to get me interviews.
love donuts
Mechanical Engineer to Investment Banker, Courses that Will Help My Odds of Getting a Job (Originally Posted: 10/22/2017)
i am mechanical engineer from India with a Gpa of 3.3 from VIT university(a medicore one). i am planning to do a MBA in 3 to 4 years from now (oct 2017) in U.S.A, i have a gmat score of 740. i completed my graduation before 3 months and am working in a IT company. i want to move to investment banking, but have no idea how to do that.
1)will it be fine for me look for jobs in investment banking after my mba with 4 years experience in IT field, or should i just start a internship ?
2)suggest some areas to look for internships relevant enough for interviewers totally confused on what area to work in to have relevant work experience for a investment broker job.
3)planning to get CFA degree , will it add anything to my resume(increase my job prospects.
suggestions and advice are highly appreciated . ty for your valuable time taken to help me
Hey sundance102, I'm the WSO Monkey Bot and I am sad to say, but this thread is lonely, so thought I'd post in here to try and help out. Some potential topics that might help:
More suggestions...
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operations manufacturing engineering wanting to break into IB (Originally Posted: 08/24/2010)
Hey all,
Just wanted to get some input from some of you who have hiring and/or interviewing experience in breaking into IBanking
I graduated (from a non target state school) with a BS in mech engineering with a 3.4 overall GPA and 3.58 major gpa.
Right now I'm taking non-degree (can be used towards MBA at a pretty decent non target state school, think Uconn) courses (intro type of finance and acct. classes)
I interned for 3 yrs through the INROADs program (during school part time, and summers/winters full time) in ERP master data work, quality engineering, and manufacturing engineering then was taken on full time by my sponsoring company (relatively small cap US mfg company with worldwide customers & mfg plants/suppliers)
I am employed as a mfg engineer right now (almost 1 yr of experience), main responsibilities are managing: processes, new product developments, and defect parts and working with suppliers to resolve the aforementioned issues (if they arise)
basically i've submitted apps to alot of major BBs (think GS, BofA, BarclaysCap, Citi, Morgan Stanley, etc) for their first yr analyst positions
Being completely realistic, should I expect a call or email back? I know my resume and cover letter are on point (as much as I think they can be, since i've taken numerous classes/workshops on these subjects)
Any valuable help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
list the math classes you took in undergraduate
calc I, II, III, intro to diff equations
double post
Might be worth thinking about going to a target business school, that would really help catalyze a career change.
Yeah my plan was to apply to Columbia and NYU for their MBA programs (focusing in finance) for next fall if I dont get any IB offers.
Right now im studying for my GMATs just to prepare for that scenario, the reason why i'm going to a non-target for those non degrees, is that my company is willing to pay for it and its local enough where I can attend classes at night
Hey idragmazda,
I am in the same boat, with basically less experience. Could I ask how you talked about moving into finance in your cover letter?
Basically in the first paragraph I stated that (this is not verbatim by the way) I had heard about hte position from so and so, then i said it was of interest to me because it gave me the opportunity to start a new career in a field which I was definately intresteed in. Then i stated what I could potentially gain from this.
next paragraph I talked about what I am doing at the moment (basically drawing connections from my daily tasks and on going work to how it could be useful in IB...aka talking about time management skills, how i obtained them, how i am good at them, etc etc)
last paragraph kinda just wrapped up the whole thing as usual...i kept it to about 280 words
Engineering GPA cutoffs required to get an IB interview (Originally Posted: 07/18/2016)
I'm curious to know whats the lowest GPA people who majored in engineering have gotten with. The size of the bank doesn't matter for this post.
Most HR people to a certain extent don't care that much for your major. The actual MDs etc. know engineering is tough and are impressed you're in it. I don't have any hard numbers for you but from the people I know, it's 3.0+.
I had 3.5 & 3.7 at different points and seemed to do fine.
You do get a little more leeway than the other majors. However I would recommend above 3.5 to be safe. Any lower and it starts to get a little tough.
Anyone know how the number would change for just a STEM major in general?
From Engineering to IB (EU edition) (Originally Posted: 11/28/2017)
Hi everyone! Im studying Mechanical Engineering in Greece and i found out that Engineering is not for me. So, i would like to join the financial world.
EDIT: Would a master in finance (in preferred country ofc)?
I don't know about the EU, but I successfully recruited for IB in the US as an industrial engineering major. It's not impossible, but certainly more difficult. Biggest thing will be technical knowledge gap, so master that and ace behaviorals.
I majored in Electrical Engineering and went into IB. was a while ago though, not recent. Did a MSc Finance afterwards.
All in EU, but worked in many different countries.
Highlight analytical skills, an interest for the group you are applying for and your motivation, and interview well/be charismatic (this is something very tech focused staff might struggle with, but everyone can learn/improve/get coached).
ps: don't worry about applying abroad without a visa. Too small of a chance and could be a waste of time. If you get placed in Europe you can transfer on the L visa afterwards.
Thanks for the reply! One last thing: Which EU country/countries would you suggest me?
Well, in Greece things are not pretty good, thats why i want to go abroad. Im currently at second year of mechanical engineering so i have time to network and improve my engilsh/french. What i would like to know is, if i really have to start learning german. Idk what is gonna happen to UK cause of Brexit, but probably i would need a visa (just like USA). Even now it is hard to move and work there permanently, so UK is out of the question (or not?).
Like I said, it would be very difficult to estimate the outcome of political decisions for years to come. London is and always will be a very important place for finance related jobs. Why don't you do an internship in a potential job market? That would help you get acquainted with the country and local customs. It would also help land an offer afterwards.
Anyone?
Engineer(APPL.GOOG,MSFT) breaking into IB? (Originally Posted: 10/30/2010)
I am a recent graduate (5/2010) who is currently a software engineer at one of these leading companies. While I was a senior in college (at a non Ivy target) i got superday invitations (which I politely declined), but I was seduced by the promise of working at one of these more fun loving tech companies. Plus, I got placed with a fairly interesting, front facing product, so I would not just be some code monkey.
At this point I regret this decision, as the career ladder in this business is very murky, and the guys at the VP level are just absolute rock stars, and most come from the outside through acquisitions or laterals anyway.
You probably aren't interested in my life story, so I'll get to the point. I am now somebody with several months of work experience at a top company and a great academic record (3.85 gpa), who wants to break into IB. Where do I go from here?
Do I use my on campus recruiting, or apply online? Do I wait for the next analyst cycle (next fall) and just apply with all of the college seniors? I am perfectly willing to be a first year analyst, as the knowledge i have gained from work is so esoteric as to have few if any transferrable skills. Any advice on how to pull this off would be appreciated.
Thanks.
I'm sure you already know the answers you are going to get: exhaust all your options. Use your on campus recruiting, and apply online. Apply now, and don't stop until you get a job. Best of luck to you.
If I were you I'd stick it out for a minimum of one year, particularly if you're at google or apple. If you're there for a year or two that experience will actually mean something for you going forward and could really be an asset for you if you want to move into VC or tech PE in the future (post IB). If you stay only a few months then that will eventually just get written off your resume and end up having been a waste of time.
I agree with int'l pymp. Stick with it for a few years and you'll have more options, and a better story to tell. Banks won't want you as an A1 - they'll question your commitment, they will wonder why you're switching careers, etc. Better to get some actual useful experience that you can pitch to a tech group, VC or b-school, and keep on your CV for some time.
And it's not like the guys who get promoted in finance are schmucks, either, so I don't think you should be doing this just because you're having performance / confidence issues.
*
Thanks guys. Yeah, it's not like what I am doing is miserable, but I just look at my bosses and think that it would be really mundane to have that kind of job in 20 years. As a result, I will probably try and stick it out as you advised, which will leave with me over a year of experience as I try to get my resume out next fall, and then throughout the rest of my life this experience won't just be a write off.
I am ultimately looking to move into VC or something that covers the technology sector in the long run, so I agree with the idea that this experience could be a major selling point if I make the most of it.
Second question: given that I have a fair amount of time on my hands (I work 50 hours per week tops) would doing a CFA be worthwhile to pursue?
Thanks again for the advice, I really appreciate it.
I don't have much experience with the CFA, but I've always viewed it as being more useful if you want to go into investment management (AM/HF) than if you're looking at VC. Given that you have so much free time, if VC is really what you want, I'd just spend a lot of time hanging out with entrepreneurs and VC guys. It will be more fun, and more genuinely useful; having a good network will help you get ahead, it will ensure you know about interesting opportunities, it will make transitioning easier, and if you do move from where you are now to a start-up, you'll be that much better a candidate for VC.
Why not look into getting into quant trading?
Seems like a waste of your skillset to go into M&A.
Top places like Jump Trading/Two Sigma/Hudson River will pay you more money potentially quite a bit faster, with better hours.
Engineering Major w/ low GPA Looking to Break Into IB (Originally Posted: 05/02/2015)
Hi all,
I'm a junior chemical engineering major (minor in math and economics) with ~3.4 GPA from a non-target school. I have no relevant finance experience, but I landed a summer internship for this coming summer at a pretty well known FoF. I really want to break into IB as a FT analyst, do you think that's even remotely possibly considering my GPA is low and such? Any tips?
Fail to see how that is a low GPA considering your major
Isn't the standard minimum for investment banking a 3.5?
I'd start networking with alumni in BB IBD or boutiques. At a non-target, esp. for FT recruiting, you need to be recommended by people. FT recruiting is difficult enough already as so many banks fill 90% of their incoming class with SAs, and coming from a non-target without OCR makes it even more difficult.
Start scheduling calls with alumni and try to tell them your story.
No, engineers tend to range lower but get the benefit of being a harder major. There's no min gpa in banking, I knew people with sub 3.0.
Computer Engineering to Ibanking in Canada (Originally Posted: 04/04/2016)
Hi guys, A bit of background: I am a ECE at a target school (think Queens/McGill) in Canada with a great GPA, at least I think, (4.0/4.3). I've interned at a chip company (Qualcomm, AMD, NVidia) as a Software Engineer for 1 year and am returning to school in September. I have no background in finance other than courses in micro and macro economics, and Engineering Economics. I have self-studied a bit of corporate finance involving capital budgeting, valuing projects, free cash flows, etc. Is it an uphill battle, or can I get on the investment banking route with some effort. If so, what's the best way to break in. I'm looking to stay in Toronto, and have the big 5 banks in mind.
bump
recruiting by the big 5 banks is done pretty much exclusive from business undergrads so it can be extremely hard to break in if that's not your case. The only way you'll convince people you are serious about finance and know your stuff is to network your way into finance internships. Not sure how soon you are graduating, but timing might be an issue as it will be hard to get an offer without a summer in IBD and you'll need an internship or two before that to convince any bank to take you in for the summer.
Thanks. I'll still give it a shot. Is it easier to break in as an associate from a top 1-year MBA program down the road if I pursue a software developer role for a couple of years?
Freshman engineer to IB. (Originally Posted: 08/04/2009)
I'm currently entering NYU as a freshman. Applied and was accepted to Stern, but switched out into computer science. I realize I can't study finance anymore, but don't believe I'm at a significant loss.
Still looking at ibanking though. Am I still in the race, or did I fuck up?
I do not plan on taking advantage of INROADS and SEO, although I'm eligible. I'm also participating in ROTC. Currently in the basic program, meaning I'm not required to serve once I graduate, but I kind of want to.
Regarding relevant experience, I've started a small company that hit cashflow positive, and recently raised a confidential sum in seed capital from a VC firm (fairly substantial, in the hundreds of thousands). I would still rather enter IB.
Given that I'd like to explore other options, all work experience until junior year would likely be continuing the business, working in social venture capital (towards microfinance/nonprofits), or just traveling.
Or would it be a requirement to pursue finance-specific internships beforehand?
Don't want sales and trading, nothing quant or back-office. Want to move away from coding, just pursuing the major as I can manage a 4.0 while focusing on my own business.
SEO is a joke. Anyone who goes through SEO is basically cheating the system. I am at a PE fund, and I will NEVER hire anyone (not that I have much say) who went through the program, just out of principal.
As far as your question, you are lucky that you are in the epicenter of everything. To answer your question, if you want to go into IB then most likely you need to either go to Stern or get an IB internship your soph/Juni year.
You are an idiot not to use INROADS or SEO if you're eligible.
Thanks for the advice.
I don't believe it's a bad program, just because companies will maintain affirmative action policies anyway. It's better for everyone involved if SEO filters out some applicants, making sure it's at least the best minorities that get positions.
But AA itself kind of bothers me, and I don't think my parents would want me to do it anyway. ahaha, libertarian colombian immigrants.
Any other feedback would be much appreciated. Has anyone switched from entrepreneurship to IB? I realize they're a bit different.
edit:: ideating, primarily parental/personal policy, see above. They're more important to me than getting into banking, although we'll see if I try to change minds before junior year.
I don't really understand what you're saying. Look, getting a good job in finance is incredibly competitive. Many well-qualified people don't get jobs and many underqualified people do get jobs. It's unfair, inefficient and very competitive. You have to use every advantage you may have, whether it be SEO, family connections or sexual favors with some MD in HLHZ.
Dude, long as you keep your grades up, your golden. You got VC money as a freshman in college?! I have CS grad friends who've worked almost two years in the community and haven't gotten anything. It sounds like you have a very specific career track. If I were you, I would continue to grow my business, do ROTC, keep up the grades, & jr. - sr. summer do an internship with the best bank you can. After that, if you want to serve go for it, you'll be set up as good as you can be to get back on the street. Even if you cant, I would find it hard for you not to get into a top B-School.
First off, I would like to say that I'm sick of people studying engineering or computer science and saying they are interested in IB. If you want a job in finance, why not major in finance given the opportunity (I know Ivy leagues mostly don't have finance so economics would be the next best choice).
I do think you made a mistake transferring to learn computer science if you are interested in investment banking. You basically just admitted that you want to be able to keep an easy 4.0 while starting your own business- so basically it's the opposite candidate of what IB's look for (hard working, motivated, not-entrepreneurial). My two cents.
Also you are stupid for not utilizing SEO. I hate affirmative action cause I'm white, but you gotta use all means to get into finance. Don't forget you're in the jungle. Grab every branch you can reach.
ideating, thanks. The perspective helps.
First off, opposite of hardworking/motivated? I've been getting three hours of sleep everyday for two years and I'm barely out of high school. Please try running a startup period, let alone one ambitious enough to receive funding in the current climate before questioning my work ethic.
I'm not just "starting it" or planning to, you don't receive capital for that anymore. I've been working 120 hour workweeks, more including allnighters.
Computer Sciences comes in because it's the only option I have to stay in school while working. If I stayed in finance, I would likely have to extend a leave of absence, which NYU doesn't always allow past one year.
I'm sick of people assuming they took the hardest route possible. I realize you've paid your dues, but no offense, you don't need to be condescending. You don't even have the right to be.
If you can keep up the good work, you will have a good chance of getting in given you do have a high 3.7-4.0 gpa. Just need a couple internships. However, a 4.0 in CS is ridiculously difficult to do( I believe highest distinction in my school just need 3.71 in EE, and that's top 5 %). However, if you can get VC funding, you can probably do that too.
Use SEO if you can do it. There is no harm of using every advantage you can have
To banker88:
Not everyone wants to be in IB from 1st year. Sometimes it's too late to switch out/ sometimes the school doesn't have a finance program. Also, I personally think it's better to have something that quantitative, since it's much easier to go into any other field afterwards. But then again, it's just me.
Regarding the GPA remark, a 4.0 in CS is nearly impossible. Either you are a genius or you have never taken a CS class before. There's a reason why engineers' average gpas are so low.
One second thought, if you've got VC money, ride that baby out. Exit & the bankers will be working for you.
Don't mean to spam my own thread. Out in a moment. Thanks for the replies, I realize CS is hard.
Banker88 was just trying to be honest, my response was off. I look like a pussy. but i still maintain my work ethic.
westfald, check vc forum.
Yea my bad for the harsh language, but I stick by my opinion. Also I don't claim that others have us have taken the hardest route, just a more logical one in my opinion. I wanna do banking so I majored in finance and econ in a target undergrad business school, and took on finance internships. Your plan just doesn't seem to make sense.
Looking to go Engineer -> Banker (Originally Posted: 02/17/2010)
Hello,
A little info about myself, I did mechanical engineering at Cornell with a 3.4 in 2008. I've been working at a large aerospace company for the past two years as an operations/process engineer... and I hate it here.
I'm looking to change industries and try to break into the finance world. Currently, my resume shows no qualifications in finance and no coursework either. However, I know I have the work ethic and skill set to be successful.
Basically, I'm writing asking for advice/coaching on how to put my best foot forward. One of the few things I have going for me is my school and my friends/roommates who currently work in finance.
As a start, my friend told me to read A Random Walk Down Wall Street and he mentioned passing the level 1 CFA exam to show interest in finance. If I start now, do I have a shot at passing in June? I figure I need to pass it in June to be ready for Fall recruiting. If I try for the December date, will I be too late for full-time positions?
Thanks for your time.
Sent you a PM
Just replied, thanks for the help.
Just curious what was your starting salary when you first started working as an engineer?
Thank You
EDIT: Nvm old post
Junior Computer Sci / Engineer going for IBD SA (Originally Posted: 11/09/2013)
I'm a junior at a semi-target/target for BB banks.
I transfered from the Computer Science major to the Finance major, keeping CS as a minor, when I was a sophomore, after interning at a F50 tech company and not liking it. Last summer I was a business development analyst at the same F50 tech company, and worked a lot with clients/budgeting - that's reflected on my resume. I have a decent GPA (3.7).
My concern is my resume really has nothing else to offer in terms of "actual" finance experience. I'm a member of some finance/investing clubs, but because of my recent switch of interests, I only got involved recently so no high positions in them.
Strictly speaking of credentials (networking aside), would anyone consider me for an interview when I apply to be a Summer Analyst in IBD? I have a pretty good story lined up for interviews, but my concern is getting from the pile of resumes to the interview room.
Thanks!
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