Switching to IB—chances?
About me:
- 21 y/o
- Graduated from a target school in the UK (LSE)
- Currently working in a different, marginally-related career in the financial district ("the City")
- Most of our clients are banks and hedge funds and the work we do requires an understanding of that world
- No prior investment banking experience beyond networking events
- Good grades and achievements etc.
The situation:
Now I want to switch to investment banking because I'm not satisfied with my current job. It pays reasonably well (£45k start + bonus, as yet TBC) and is a great start, but I don't see myself here 18-24 months from now. Working with bankers all day but not being one myself has started to frustrate me already. I spend a lot of my time reading analysts' reports and doing research for banks—but without the "sexy" work of bankers. I know a lot about investment banking and commercial affairs more generally, but I have no previous experience in finance.
To make the switch, there are three main options available to me:
1) Take the CFA Level 1 exam in June 2018 (and maybe Level 2 in December 2018), then apply for an Analyst programme at a BB for their 2019 intake;
2) Take the GMAT and apply for the MiM at LBS, then just apply for an Analyst programme during that year; or
3) Do a postgrad diploma in Economics at either Cambridge or Warwick, do a Master's in Finance afterwards, then apply for an Analyst programme.
What do you recommend I do? I would be grateful for any help.
Thanks!
