I am 16 and a rising junior in HS. I aspire to work in corporate finance, the end goal is a HF. What are things I should be doing with my time to better my chances at breaking into IB or PE?
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Have fun in hs, play sports, go to parties, make good enough grades to get into the school you want. Go to said school, have fun, go to parties, join a banking club if they have it, excel in a finance/accounting degree, apply to the jobs you want, study for the interview, get said job
I completely understand what you're saying, but the competition in my age group is immense. With banking and PE being more known now due to social media, more and more people know about it, so I need to stay on top of the rest, any ways on how I can do that?
By getting into a good school. Everything else regarding your recruiting happens after.
The earliest to really do anything is after you've decided where you want to go to college. If you want to become familiar with things feel free to go on YouTube to learn more
‘The competition’ in your age group is just a mirage. It’s actually not that intense at all for banking because 90% of them will just die away (other interests, lack of motivation, etc). Or if you’re somewhere that is genuinely competitive for getting into good colleges there are enough spots for all of you. You’re not necessarily competing against them you just need to check enough boxes to get a good IB job.
One thing I’d recommend is reaching out to friends or family friends that you know in the space and keep in touch with them or make a connection that ISNT ABOUT FINANCE
Do well in HS and try to get into a top university. Don't worry about career right now, but feel free to read up on things that interest you. Come back to WSO once you're a freshman in college.
I completely understand what you're saying, but the competition in my age group is immense. With banking and PE being more known now due to social media, more and more people know about it, so I need to stay on top of the rest, any ways on how I can do that?
Like I said...put your energy towards getting into a top university. If my answer isn't enough, try this: get into Harvard/Wharton. Maintain a 4.0 GPA and network your ass off with alum to get good freshman summer and sophomore summer internships in IB/PE (name-brand helps). Assuming you've made it this far, you should be able to recruit into a top BB/EB for junior summer. During your junior summer, try to recruit for a MF PE analyst program out of undergrad (Blackstone/KKR). Do well in that role and you should find opportunities to move to HF within 2-4 years.
In order to hit all of the milestones above, you'll need the following:
1. Master accounting and valuation concepts as early as possible. It helps to know how to build a full financial model as well (operating + comps + DCF + LBO).
2. Know what people do in IB/PE/HF at each level (Analyst -> Partner) and how the M&A process works generally.
3. Follow the markets and develop your own sector interests and understand the different investment styles.
4. Ace every interview that you come across; behaviorals and technicals (should be easy if you do step 1). Don't underestimate the importance of networking and make sure you don't come across as unlikable.
Easier said than done and it still might not work out completely, but this should be a good starting point to plan ahead. Up to you when you want to do that.
I appreciate your response, will definitely act on it. This summer I'm taking Financial Accounting at CC to get some insight and will then learn the models and valuation methods.
You need to chill out my man, have fun in HS. Play sports, go to parties, go to prom, etc. Eventually get into a good school and the banking club there will give you the blueprint, but for now enjoy life.
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