Should I do a PhD at an Ultra-Target University if I Want to be an IB Analyst?
So I know a lot of you are busy and I'm not going to waste your time.
Here's a brief background so you understand my situation. I'm currently in the UK, where I was born and raised.
- Partied too much in college and received shit A Levels (three Cs). My own fault entirely. I'm not going to give a would have/should have/could have bullshit story
- Went to a non-target polytechnic university, got my shit together, and finished first in my class with a first class honours BA in political science
- Currently attend a semi-target university studying an MA in international relations, where I'm predicted a distinction (highest grade) and have taken optional modules in advanced statistics and macroeconomics, as well as playing an active role in the banking society and completing the Bloomberg self-certification course
- My tutor is an alumnus of an ultra-target (think Oxbridge/LSE) and is strongly recommending I apply there for a PhD in international relations, due to my interests and strong academic performance (post-A Levels)
I have no direct IB experience, but I am currently applying for summer and off-cycle internships at BBs, MMs, and boutiques. I have also purchased the IB interview course from WSO in addition to practising building DCF and M&A models for companies in Excel.
With regards to networking, I am currently connected with about 15 analysts/associates at BBs and MMs on LinkedIn and I am being proactive with outreach. I have a few friends in my university's banking society providing me with guidance too, some with friends and family in the industry.
Now you know my background, I have a few questions:
- At this stage in my life is IB out of reach? Are my A Levels too shit and should I just give up?
- Will a PhD at an ultra-target (Oxbridge/LSE) be beneficial to me when applying for an analyst position?
- Is there anything I can do to improve my candidature? I don't care what it is; if it gets me closer to an IB position I'll do it.
Thank you for taking the time out of your hectic lives to read my post. I know you'll be brutally honest and won't sugarcoat anything, which is why your opinion is highly valuable to me.
work a few years and do an MBA, you'll be an associate rather than spending years and years in phd to be an analyst
Yeah directly entering IB as an associate post-MBA sounds more efficient. I'm guessing I should go BO pre-MBA?
I'd reccomend MO and try to lateral, or going through corpfin program at f500, or even consulting
Brilliant, thanks! Consulting does interest me. I'll start doing interview prep for that as well as applying for MO positions at IBs and CF positions at F500 companies.
You're not familiar with the WSO IB interview course by any chance are you? Just wondering if that'll sufficiently prep me for MO/CF interviews.
standard issue advice..
either: 1. big4 for ACA qual, then lateral out (detour into corpfin/tas service line usually required, if you can only manage to get into audit) 2. do a pre-experience masters at a target and prep hard for SA recruiting 3. network into a boutique corpfin house then lateral 4. just get any decent grad job, do well + prep GMAT/app forms/essays/references then aim for a top MBA
PhD route seems pointless.
Thanks so much for your advice. I feel like I'm on the right path now.
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