I graduated in 2013 and have been working in wm ops ever since. I moved into a new well paid role in 2016 through a friend. a full time mba is not an option for me but i would really like to break into investment banking. Because i got this role through a friend I don't want to burn bridges by leaving too soon so I want to stick around for another year.
Is it possible to break into investment banking in 2018 when it'll be 5 years since graduation and no relevant experience and no mba? of course intense networking and prepping will take place. I just want to know if it's even worth it or do I need to decide on another career path. thanks
bump, quite literally the exact situation on my end ('14 grad)
Almost impossible without transaction experience at reputable shops without an MBA
I can do a part time MBA but that would take me like 5-6 years due to cost but I feel like getting the part time MBA without experience would put me in an even worse position (no man's land).
Even at smaller boutiques it'd be nearly impossible? Anything to help the odds?
PT MBA would be a stretch as well. PT is not the best platform for transitioning industries, but it has been done and will take a few more years (won't be able to switch into IB until you are almost done your PT MBA in 5-6 years). You may be able to end up at a boutique, but it will take a lot of networking and may not be necessarily better than the position you are in now. To increase your odds, you need to get deal experience (even if it's not execution) as Charizard mentioned. FT MBA is your best route.
Try and break into commercial/corporate banking. Much easier, you'll gain both credit and transaction experience and you could eventually land in a DCM/Syndications role. Or go to a boutique IB assuming you have decent relationships and understand the deal process.
Or you could lateral into F500 at a manager role or something and just progress from there.
I really appreciate the responses! Another thing holding me back with the PT MBA is that I would ask for company reimbursement and leaving when they help me with my schooling would surely leave a bitter taste but can avoid this by self-funding. But of course I know the FT MBA is my best route.
In any case, I'd be lacking the deal experience. TNA gives me hope if commercial/corporate banking is actually much easier to get into and gives the experience needed. How viable is this route given that I actually don't have a finance degree? I do have my 7,66,24 and passed CFA level 1 though... Are there any other sources of deal experience?
Could try to go to related fields such as corporate finance/ corporate development/ consulting and then move into banking from there.
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