Typically newbie asking typical newbie things

So I've been reading the forum for the past month or so and its been super valuable thus far. Now it's my time to ask the newbie questions but first some background. I'm 27 and will graduate with my bachelors from a non-target school. I've spent the past few years doing the entrepreneurial thing, it was good and profitable but in the end it was a family business and our egos got the best of us and we dissolved the partnership. So here I am 27 just getting my degree. I have no meaningful internship experience to speak up and as of now zero network. If you guys were in my position what would your course of action be?

I do believe I will be able to get into a top tier MBA (GPA 3.7+ and I know I'll kill the GMAT) I was also thinking of taking CFA Level one in December to further help my chances of getting accepted. I'm sure some will think that's a waste of time but let me know. I live in NJ so I'm thinking NYU or Columbia. If that doesn't workout then I supposed my backup plan would be Rutgers or Fordham.

As of now my goal is to get into an internship program and then get low level job to start beefing up my work experience so I can apply to a target school and get that on my resume. I also intend to start network now. This is just the spark note version but is there anything that I must absolutely start doing now to better my chances of getting in the industry? Do you think that my age/the amount of time it took me to get my degree will be a strike against me?

Thanks, Zebracow

5 Comments
 

there is one thing that I gained thus far from WSO is that networking can set you free. I don't for see that being a problem at all. Now I just got to develop the right strategy and write a couple of solid emails.

 

you recommend email for networking? Also, this might sound crazy but I think because I live so close to Manhattan I probably can meet people in person, like casually you know. I know this may be a little different but maybe not because even bankers are people I've always been great at making friends and being personable. So I was thinking of spending sometime down by Wall Street even getting a part time job at Starbucks or something down there and meet people organically. Also, plenty of conferences and meetups. would you consider this a legit tactic or is my time spent better shooting emails and studying?

 

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