Networking or Prestige

Me and homie are having a debate over prestige and networking.

He is convinced that if you go to an Ivy League School like Dartmouth, you’re better off than someone who networks his ass of from a non target top 30 USNWR school.

My argument is that networking is most important because you need to learn how to demonstrate interest, acquire necessary skills, and impress your bosses once you get into the job.

He is saying that an English Major from like Dartmouth or Harvard has an easier time in the IB world just because if their piece of paper saying where they went.

What is your take on this since you guys have experience in the real world of finance? Networking or Prestige?

10 Comments
 

People go to top schools because of the network. You're going to have an easier time networking if you go to Harvard because of alumni but also because people will be more willing to speak to you. So the answer is both of you are right.

 

I have learned this the hard way... you can never make up for prestige (whether that be firm or educational institution). Ofc, if one person at an Ivy is a complete loser and the non-target kid works super hard then your argument works. But even if a non-target works harder to network, imagine the dividends this effort would have paid IF this energy was expended with an Ivy tag on your profile... Overall, go to the better school and even if you are slightly below the par in networking you will be be fine

 

Top entry-level jobs generally are got via going to a good school (and all of the OCR, alumni network, informational advantages that come with) or figuring stuff out yourself and networking your ass off. There is no middle ground.

Was obsessed with finance, now do product in tech
 

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