What if I cannot go to IBD? Looking for advice

I am a postgraduate student in a tire 1 business school in China. I also have a master's degree in University of Hong Kong. In the last academic year, I studied in Europe in an exchange program and accidentally got a master's degree there too...So basically I will graduate with three master's degrees.

I am really interested in the investment banking career. I gained hands-on experiences through internships in consulting, private equity and mutual fund. However, as I have never had any internship experience in this industry before, I cannot say that my interest towards being a i-banker is rational. But as far as what I've known about this industry and what I learnt before, I really think IBD life can have a good match with my capability and personality. I think I can make the best use of my talents if I am given the chance to prove them and I am eager to unearth my potential and see how far I can go in this highly competitive industry.

It's really bad market this year in China and Hong Kong as far as I know. Only a few investment banks in HK hired and a lot of Chinese IBD closed their doors to graduates. I really don't know what I am going to do if I cannot find a job in this filed. I wonder whether there's some way for me to be closer to my career goal? Would it help if I go to foreign commercial banks located in China first and then jump to other financial institutions? Commercial banks are good but I just think it's a little too boring. I really like the life in IBD.

Another issue I want to know is whether it's too late now to apply for some small or boutique investment banks based in Hong Kong now? I am not very familiar with those banks in this filed, so could you guys give me some advance?

5 Comments
 
futurectdocIf you can't get IB, consider corp fin, interdealer brokerage, Big 4

Thank you. I am not very sure about your definition on corp fin. When you mentioning corporate finance, do you mean the investment department in industrial companies? Or you mean wholesale banking in a commercial bank?

 
highonlife
futurectdocIf you can't get IB, consider corp fin, interdealer brokerage, Big 4

Thank you. I am not very sure about your definition on corp fin. When you mentioning corporate finance, do you mean the investment department in industrial companies? Or you mean wholesale banking in a commercial bank?

I mean the finance department within a corporation and this could be in any number of different roles like treasury, risk management or financial planning and analysis.

 
Best Response

Wow, tire 1 school? Why not work at Firestone? They have really good tire jobs.

Just kidding. Look for any IBD job first, no matter the location. Then try for consulting gigs. Worst case just do a consulting/corp fin gig for 2-3 years then lateral to IBD or get an MBA and then get into IBD.

And find a better story. No one believes you "enjoy the life in IBD". Maybe that stuff flies in HK but I hated interviewing those kids in NYC and literally rolled my eyes at their "Why IBD" answer.

 

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