Seeking Advice On MSC Investment & Wealth Management At Imperial College
Hello everyone,
I'm a 26-year-old French professional with a background in finance, having graduated from a French business school almost 2 years ago (MSC Finance at Grenoble EM). My academic journey was very challenging due to a prolonged period of depression and therefore I have many regrets because I know I could have been enrolled in a top Uni if I did not have had this depression. Despite this setback, I've gained experience in private banking, initially at JP Morgan Private Bank in Geneva (1 year, Back office) and currently in fixed income research at Credit Agricole Private Bank (1 year).
However, I find Geneva and private banking less stimulating for someone my age, I’ve been interested in moving to London for almost 3 years now, and I'm considering three options for my next career move:
- Staying in Geneva, securing a stable position in Private Banking with a good salary (100-120k CHF/year for 40-45hrs per week) and target a top MBA after having 3/4 years of experience in my cv.
- Joining Société Générale in the Investment Banking division for a one-year contract in Business Management. It could give me the possibility to switch to the IB division of a big bank, experiencing life in London, and networking. However, the visa is 1 year only and the contract is not extensible. I’ll be dedicated to review the performance of all SG’s IB UK teams and prepare presentations for the management. Not my dream job but it could maybe give me the big picture of the IB, and if I perform well, I might also be given the chance to relocate in another country within another team for 1 year at SG (it is a weird type of contract for French people). Then, I’ll probably do an MBA after 3/4 years depending on my exit ops after this contract.
- Pursue the MSC Investment & Wealth Management at Imperial College, for which I've been accepted. While this isn't my ideal choice (I’ve applied for the MSC Finance), it offers a two-year visa and networking opportunities. I'm uncertain about the return on investment, given the £45k tuition, but Imperial is appealing to me because I really feel I could have done 100 times better when in to comes to my academic journey.
Questions:
1. Is it too late to pursue the MSC at Imperial at 28 (average age is 23yo)?
2. Will the degree, combined with my two years of professional experience, make me competitive for associate positions? 3. Will this Master’s program add value to my CV? Or is the MSC Finance from Imperial the only one that BB really consider?
4. can this program lead to IB positions in BB after this program?
- given my age and current experiences, should I rather wait and apply to MBA in 2 years ?
Any insights or advice on the potential career paths and opportunities associated with each option would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your valuable input
Ah, the crossroads of career decisions, quite the jungle gym, isn't it? Let's swing through your queries one by one:
Age for MSC at Imperial: Based on the most helpful WSO content, age should not be a barrier to education, especially at a prestigious institution like Imperial College. The average age might be 23, but your maturity and work experience could actually be a plus, giving you a different perspective and potentially making you a more rounded candidate.
Competitiveness for Associate Positions: With your background in private banking and fixed income research, adding a specialized MSC from Imperial could indeed make you competitive for associate positions. It's not just the degree but the combination of your experience and the networking opportunities that you'll leverage during your time there.
Value Addition to CV: The MSC Investment & Wealth Management is a respected program and should add value to your CV. While the MSC Finance may be more traditional for breaking into investment banking, the Investment & Wealth Management program is still rigorous and well-regarded. It's more about how you utilize the knowledge and opportunities during the program.
IB Positions Post-MSC: The program can lead to positions in investment banking, especially if you make the most of Imperial's career services, alumni network, and recruitment events. It's not just the program but also the effort you put into networking and recruiting that will determine your success in landing a role in IB.
Regarding whether to wait and apply for an MBA, it depends on your long-term career goals. If you're aiming for a strategic shift and higher leadership positions, an MBA after more years of experience might be beneficial. However, if you're looking to specialize and move quickly, the MSC could be the right move now.
Remember, each path has its own vines and branches, and it's about choosing the one that aligns with where you want to swing to in your career. Good luck!
Sources: Is 31/32 too late for an MBA?, 2018 UK Target Uni - MSc - for FO jobs: put your POV, Grad School and Age, Really anxious about my age, Late graduate, am I fucked ?
Tenetur est omnis ut corporis distinctio. Similique voluptatem occaecati sit nihil laboriosam ea minima. Commodi temporibus corrupti accusamus saepe voluptatem. Aliquam velit ducimus sit molestiae et voluptatem. Aliquam autem eaque autem at vitae qui doloremque aut. Id consequatur vero minus et doloribus at qui.
Quaerat facilis quasi optio rem eum. Voluptatem cumque nihil voluptas eos qui minus quaerat. Dolor odit ullam qui harum aut facere consequuntur.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...