Seeking advice - How can I break into investment banking from my weird circumstances

My circumstances for the most part are my own fault, I never really took my education very seriously, got mediocre grades at GCSE and A-Level and kind of coasted through until I hit a wall at university, I've dropped out multiple times before taking a break and re-evaluating my life. I've finally got my mind right and a clearer picture in regards to what direction I want to go towards. I'm very confident in my abilities and I know I can be very capable when I actually apply myself. I have a couple of questions in regards to the best way for me to reach my goals.

My first question is, what role in IB/Finance would give me somewhat decent working hours (under 65 hours p/week). I'm happy to put hours in, work hard and I'm fairly confident in my ability to work under pressure but ideally something with minimal weekends working. Capital Markets is what stuck out to me initially, but if possible I would like some more info in actual day to day work.

As I've mentioned I've got fairly mediocre grades but I believe I might be able to get into a target university, however the degree wouldn't necessarily be related to IB/Finance- would this be something that would hold me back? 

Would it be beneficial to get other qualifications on top of my degree more related to IB/Finance? Although I'm a few years older than most undergrads, I'm still quite young. I intend to get spring internships and 2nd year internships in banking as well as join extra curricular activities to beef up my CV.

2 Comments
 

If you network with the right people, you can get a job at most places, under most circumstances. While it may be more challenging, it is certainly possible. Keep sending out cold emails / cold linkedin messages to people who share common interests, or your Alma Mater. you'd be surprised how much people are willing to help. And I think your story shows a good amount of drive, too.

Hours in IB really depend on banks and on groups especially. Really a case by case basis. But as a rule of thumb it is very likely that the more "prestigious" a bank you apply to, the higher the chance of being worked to the bone.

 
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