Story is relatively long but any advice would honestly be very personally appreciated...
I'm going through SA recruiting right now and it is just not going as planned. I'm actually a senior, graduating in December. I delayed graduation because I had a spring semester my junior year to forget. Personal issues that I just couldn't control drove my GPA from a 3.7 to a 3.5 and completely threw me off my path, to the point where I applied to zero firms of SA positions. I just didn't give a shit about anything. After recuperating my life a bit, I decided I'd delay grad, pick up a major, and HOPEFULLY get an SA position. I knew it was a long shot, but I went for it, because there was just no way I could graduate in May as I felt I had really wasted a whole semester.
Unfortunately, for me, my process isn't going as I hoped. I have 5 interviews so far, 3 being MO, and the other two being FO. I've had the two FO first rounds a few days ago and thought they went well, but at the same time, you never really know with these things. I did my best to network the past summer with alumni, and made a few good contacts, but looking back, I should have made more (Hindsight is 20/20). OCR is over and I got dinged for interviews from most of the positions I wanted and I just didn't expect it. Thought my relatively okay GPA of 3.5 plus finance internships and good ECs would help me but they haven't. The thought of graduating and doing MO/BO work when I KNOW I could have gotten a solid FO spot if I did things differently/had better luck leaves me pretty miserable.
Basically, for all you experienced monkeys, what I should do right now to give me the best possible chances at ensuring a top FO gig out of school? Hell, I'd even appreciate any life advice if any of you have been in a similar situation.
Thanks guys
Network, chin up, apply for a whole load of other stuff. Who knows what you will land. I have been where you are (actually I'm still there lol). PM me if you want.
The one piece of advice that I can offer (and the mistake I see a lot of people on here make) is that when you aren't having success with this stuff the solution is not to "send out 2000 emails and apply for 400 positions." Sure apply to lots of places, but you need to really target places and make a strong effort at them (connect with people, network, etc.). As is always the case, quality > quantity.
I'd say OCR doesn't work out for 90% of people applying. Just keep reaching out to small places
Reach out to local places either in your hometown or the city you go to school in (whichever you prefer or whichever has a stronger finance presence). If you're totally up for relocating for the summer, Chicago and Milwaukee have lots of great small firms.
Network, reach out to non-traditional finance firm to get whatever relevant experience first. You'd be surprised about opportunities a few years down the line as long as you have solid finance experience.
Best, John
idk your area, but boutiques!
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