Hello everyone, I am an international Student from Brazil studying in the US. I noticed that many internship for 2024 are already saying that they will not sponsor. Therefore, I would like to hear more stories about international students that successfully landed IB jobs.
Feel free to dm me if you want to talk over the phone.
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its very possible although a lot tougher compared to your non-international peers
you just have to be very mindful of the banks that sponsor and that don't so you don't waste time on places that wont give you offers. if you're a good candidate who puts in the time and effort, you will end up at least somewhere.
for bbs, gs, cs, db (+ maybe bofa too) were always international student-friendly and for ebs, although a bit shaky, most of them sponsor. but always lower your expectations and look out for MMs and larger regional banks as well.
You don't need a full-on visa sponsorship for the internship, only for the FT offer after you graduate. Use cpt/opt for the internships and look through the various posts on WSO which banks offer sponsorship for FT after OPT is used up.
U r correct in theory/on a surface level but not in practice. As an international student that went thru SA recruiting last year, most banks that don’t sponsor H1B also DON’T accept CPT/OPT as forms of US work authorization. They require applicants to have “Permanent US work authorization” without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.
ok, thanks for letting me know. That is highly unfair to international students because cpt/opt is literally the approved way of acquiring practical skills that directly relate to your studies.
If these (or more) employers act in this manner, then there is almost no incentive to be an international student in the US.
EBs are actually a lot more stingy when it comes to visa. Almost everyone says they’ll sponsor but in practice maybe only EVR and MOE sponsor.
Like mentioned above, GS, BofA, CS and DB sponsor. Jefferies is the other bank that comes to mind (probably takes on the most no. of international students per capita).
It’s starts thinning out pretty quickly after that so it’s really important to put that much more time interviewing/networking at the banks listed above.
Idea is to basically show them how good you are and spinning your experience outside the US into an advantage. There’s no point being sad about it because there’s nothing that can be done about it. I differentiated myself by talking about my work ethic and comparing and contrasting the markets between here and where I am from. Trust me, if you show you are a grinder you’ll land somewhere good. I did PE recruiting as an international student from a MM banking group but got 2 offers out of the two processes I participated (one at a shop with 35bil and another at a shop with 75bil) including one of the firms which didn’t sponsor but liked me so much that they put their process on hold so they can see how my visa lottery plays out this year and have mentioned that they’ll figure out a way to make sure I join their team.
I am an international student trying to get into IB in the US. You seem to have gained a pretty good insight. Do you mind if I DM you?
Hi, also wondering if I can PM you - would be extremely grateful!
Hey, is it possible to DM? Would really appreciate your advice and guidance regarding the process.
Would it be possible to DM? Thank you so much
Do a diversity program (SEO, MLT, etc)
you can do that as an international?
I'm currently a junior international student and was fortunate to land a sophomore IB internship at a MM boutique and pivot that to a junior summer in RX (PJT/HL/EVR/MOE).
Aside from the obvious, my biggest tip would be to swap (or add) a STEM major — make sure to check the CIP code of your course with the International Center and make sure that matches the USCIS list of STEM-accredited majors. Employers seem much more receptive to sponsoring the H1B for international students who have a STEM degree. I did that and it relieved a lot of the pressure from the regular 12-month OPT.
As long as you keep a high GPA (3.8+) and/ or go to a target school + network your ass off (especially if you don't go to a school where there is on-campus recruiting), you should be able to get the first round. Once you get there, you are at an advantage. Leverage being an international student as much as you can on your behavioral answers — emphasizing adaptability, being a self-starter, and bringing unique perspectives to the firm are some examples you can use. In short, you should have a story more interesting than 99% of applicants.
Consulting firms are, generally, more open to international students. While it was very stressful to recruit for IB as an international, I also shoot my shot at consulting and was fortunate to get an MBB offer and know at least two other international students who started FT and are getting sponsored by MBB firms (Hacking the Case Interview helped me a lot with cases and is finishable in a week | Download it for free on LibGen).
On a second note, look into banks that have LATAM-focused groups (BofA), I imagine your success rate should be higher there. Bain & Company's BEL program might also be a good alternative if you're eligible. Make sure to look into diversity programs if you qualify, that will make getting the first round a lot easier.
I'd rather remain anon but I'm happy to answer any questions in the comments. Wish you the best of luck!
I disagree. STEM is helpful from a personal perspective (just by having more tries) but none of the investment banks I spoke to asked / cared about STEM. The banks all had a blanket policy on whether you are an international student or no. Not whether you had the STEM OPT or not. JPM is the only one who cares about stem and they don’t actually sponsor so that’s a moot option anyways.
The biggest advantage of a stem degree is that you can get a 3 year opt instead of one which is much more attractive to employers because they don’t have to worry about sponsoring you for an actual visa
JPM cares about STEM OPT but they very clearly sponsor H1Bs. There was only one year they didn't (2021) and then decided it was a bad idea. JPM is probably one of the most international friendly banks right now - if you luck out on your 3 H1B lottery tries they will try to move you somewhere else (obviously performance dependent).
As an international student you should probably be 100% aiming for STEM OPT, only having 1 try instead of 3 at a ~15% lottery is ridiculous right now.
Hey - would you mind DMing me? Rising sophomore at a target, non-div and international. Would really appreciate some guidance and general advice if you find the time. Thank you.
do you need to speak Spanish for LatAM banking? does the recruitment cycle happen later than the other groups?
It’s tough for us as intl students. Focus on the few banks which sponsor visas (GS, DB, CS, Jeff, Evercore, Moelis, MS )
Do CVP and PJT sponsor?
I know RSSG sponsors on a case-by-case basis.
CVP sponsors — know a Venezuelan non-resident who is going there.
PJT sponsors. Unfortunately CVP is a gray area. I know someone who went in as an international student and they said they won’t sponsor visas. But they really liked him so they agreed to sponsor
PJT does(very stingy or open to only diversity) / CVP stopped for this year
I’m a current international sophomore that finished recruiting a month back. I was able to secure an offer and can answer any questions you have regarding recruiting. It’s a very tough process that gets even harder if you’re at a non-target like myself. However, if you put in the work, you can definitely do it.
Can I pm you?
Yes
Hey!! Can I PM you as well?? I’m also an international student and I’d love to get your insight.
Just saw this but sure go for it! You ain't gotta ask lad but I appreciate it
Bump
evr, pjt, laz, moe sponsor; cvp, pwp don’t
Kkkkkkk sacanagem
Most big banks besides JPM will say they sponsor but the reality is you have to be a notch above US citizen candidates in order to get an offer. Also I am now in a situation where i haven’t been able to get picked in the lottery for the second time in a row so be prepared for that.
Are you in STEM-OPT?
What did the company do about the lottery?
Nothing much they can do. Either you get transferred abroad or you do day 1 CPT
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