International student with 3-year STEM OPT – Is breaking into Wall Street IB still realistic?
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some honest advice on my career path.
I’m an international student graduating from Columbia University with a one-year STEM Master’s in Climate and Society, which gives me 3 years of STEM OPT. My undergraduate degree is in Financial Engineering, but it was completed outside the U.S.
Before coming to Columbia, I worked in China in Investment Banking and Private Equity, and I also have experience in fundamental equity research at a hedge fund.
My long-term goal is to break into Wall Street, ideally Investment Banking. If I have a chance to join a larger firm (BB/EB), I would definitely prefer that over a smaller platform.
Given my background, I’d really appreciate some advice:
1. Is IB still a realistic path for someone with my profile?
2. If not, what roles would give me the best chance of eventually getting into a top investment firm? (Equity Research, Corporate Banking, Valuation, PE, Asset Management, Consulting, etc.)
3. Would you continue focusing almost exclusively on IB recruiting, or broaden applications significantly?
4. Has anyone here successfully broken into IB from a non-business master’s program with prior finance experience?
I’d really appreciate any honest feedback. Thanks!
Why even do a masters in that if your end goal is American IB? I see it only really being "useful" in consulting from that list, otherwise you'll be banking purely on uni brand.
Fair point. My undergrad was in Financial Engineering, and I had IB/PE/HF experience before Columbia. I mainly came for the Columbia network and STEM OPT. Do you think BB/EB IB is still realistic with that background? Any advice could help!
jobs in America should go to Americans
Skill issue
I broke into this industry successfully.. I don’t think a single job in IB at the junior/mid/senior level should go to foreigners and I think Americans should prioritize the economic wellbeing of other Americans.
So by that logic, should every American working in London, Hong Kong, Singapore, or Dubai also give up their jobs to locals? Global finance has never worked that way
ah yes, all the Americans getting hired for entry-level finance jobs out of undergrad in Tokyo, Singapore and Dubai…
Sounds more like insecurity than patriotism
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