Masters in Finance after M.S. in Financial Engineering, yay or nay?
I graduated with a M.S. in Financial Engineering last year and I am currently working in valuation services. My true interest is in IB but haven't been able to break through yet. One thing I've learned with my current position and (little) recruiter feedback is that the three finance courses I was allowed to take in M.S. were not enough. Now, I am considering going back to school for another grad degree that's concentrated on finance. Would recruiters still consider me for an IB Analyst position if I graduated with another Masters degree (Master of Finance)? Would they reject my application calling it overqualified? Or should I just keep working the job market and see if anything comes of it and go back to school later for an MBA instead? What about getting an MBA with 2 years of experience?
Thanks in advance.
Two masters in closely related fields for an analyst position would raise eyebrows.
Any advice on the contrary?
I have a classmate who has a BSc Mathematics and MSc Financial Engineering, and currently pursuing his second masters -- MSc Finance. He has also finished CFA lvl 2, and has worked as a consultant and financial analyst for an investment firm. I have no idea why is doing his MSc Finance. But I am really surprised that he is not nailing it at the MSc Finance, especially in the quantitative courses.
Two masters in related fields won't help you. Just kick ass in your valuation analyst gig and either A) try to move to TAS or B) lateral to an IB as an associate. In the meantime, as always, it is key to network. You should start now! Getting an MBA with 2 years of work experience might not be as useful as you think. You will have a hard time recruiting as you don't have enough experience for a post-MBA role and hiring an associate with an MBA is quite uncommon unless maybe he/she came from an unrelated field and broke into IB.
Is it common to hire post-MSc for associate roles?
Depends on your previous work experience. If you just did your MSc after your undergrad, then it is highly unlikely
Is school relevant at all here?
Is it? I got my M.S. from USC, if school is relevant!
USC is a fine school.
Except for safety concerns - are those real btw?
You should consider USC's MBA then- 1 year and definitely good enough for La/ San Fran MM IB.
No benefit. Look at the CFA if you feel educationally disadvantaged.
I'd ask myself: "self, this person has two masters degrees, he wasn't really that good at the first so he needed another and I suspect he won't be good at that one either."
Shouldn't you ask OP for his GPA on the first one before drawing such a conclusion?
If it was great and op went to a decent UG and built a small network - do you think we be having this post? The resume would not pass our screen with 2 MS on it.
Ok fair call. It's good to know of people's views, especially since you appear to be in a position that hires,
but I'm not sure if you'd have a similar view if the other masters were an Ivy League one etc. Perhaps you would.
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