Incoming Bocconi AFM Student Targeting London/Paris IB - Advice Needed

Hi everyone,

I was recently admitted to the AFM at Bocconi (Accounting, Financial Management and Control, it was called AFC before), starting this September. My goal is to break into IB after graduation, ideally in London, but I would also be very interested in Paris because I am french.

I completed my bachelor's degree in Finance in the United States, and graduated with a 3.95/4 GPA. The issue is that it was from a relatively small and unknown college, and my professional experience is not  relevant to investment banking. I've worked in Finance Operations at a regional retailer, but I have no experience in M&A, valuation, transaction services, private equity, or investment banking.

When I look at the profiles of AFM/C alumni who ended up at good firms in IB, it seems that almost all of them already had transaction-related experience before starting the master's.

I am scared that even if I apply the day applications open, my current profile will not be strong enough to make it through initial resume screens. 

If you were in my position today, what would you focus on between now and graduation to maximize the probability of receiving a full-time IB offer? How would you get the best internship possible in my situation? 

Thanks in advance !!