Masters in finance over analyst position

Hi everybody,

I'm contemplating whether or not to pursue masters in financial economics at oxford or masters in finance at lse over starting as an analyst in BB IBD. I've already interned in BB IBD and am in my fourth year of a finance degree.

The rationale behind this is that I don't feel as though I'm ready and would like to enter IBD just yet, and as I'm not from the UK this would give me time to travel and return as an analyst at a bank at the normal age (I'm relatively young). I would also be hunting for the better branding that is associated with the aforementioned institutions, as I have not studied at a target school (mostly for future career prospects after 2 years at an IB).

I do realise that this is quite expensive, and would obviously hope to receive some scholarship and financial assistance, but would like to know if the degrees are valued to employers as I do have the option of returning to a BB IBD but am thinking about longer term, post-IB career prospects eg private equity and senior management roles in industry.

I know that most of you would say take the MBA path later in my career, and this is something I also wish to pursue but in the US in 3-4 years time. I am also curious about people's thoughts on whether or not these degrees could aid MBA applications.

Thank you all in advance,

12 Comments
 

haha bro what if you spend all that money on a masters only to realise you might not be able to secure another offer from a BB? don't be a retard and just take the job

 

people are in love with their academic titles they feed their complexes

go ahead and spend some more time "studying" for nothing

 

You are an idiot. Most people on this website would kill to be in a position you are in, yet you are about to give up a BB IB offer to get a degree that most people only get for another chance to break in. Why the hell would you $50,000+ to get what you already have?

 
Best Response

Everyone has been quite brutal but they are so damn right. It does not make any sense to go back to do a MSc even at Oxford if you have already secure a FT position. Getting that master will not improve your chances to break into PE nor will make you a better IBD analyst. The only pro, is that you will get somekind of rebrand since you did not study in a target school. Even if you may be interested in this "rebranding" thing, people look to rebrand themselves in order TO-BE-ABLE to land something you ALREADY have.

A MSc makes sense ONLY if you need a second chance to break into the industry you are looking for. If you already have in your hand what you are looking for you DON'T have to go for a MSc. And we are not in 200[pick a number from 1 to 7], the investment banking market is shrinking and it is getting fucking hard to land a FT position in banking without doing a summer internship during your penultimate year and a 1 yr MSc does not allow you to do it.

At the same time, it does not make any sense even if it will be 100% free because of some scholarship. Again, the MSc in there to help you to get a job BUT you already have it! Finally, having a MSc will not help you to get a job into PE or Corporate environment after your analyst stint. It is not an MBA.

I'd go there ONLY if the bank guarantees to hire me at the end of the program but I don't think this is going to happen if you are due to start this summer.

I'm grateful that I have two middle fingers, I only wish I had more.
 

Take the job. If you can get into LSE now, I am confident they or another equally or greater renowned institution would be happy to take your money later in life should you choose to pursue a graduate degree.

"They are all former investment bankers that were laid off in the economic collapse that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have no marketable skills, but by God they work hard."
 

You're ready, take the job and grad school will be there later if you want it. You'll enjoy grad school even more if you've had a few years of work first.

You could ask about the possibility of deferring the start date a year if you just want time to travel. But this tends to fly a lot better in consulting than in banking.

Can you elaborate on how you aren't feeling ready?

if you like it then you shoulda put a banana on it
 

OP -- did you ever study abroad while in college? Are you (or your parents) relatively well off (i.e. paying for another year of school won't be a big deal)?

 

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