“I recently had a LinkedIn audit call with Arnau as part of my WSO Academy program, and it was one of the most practical and useful sessions I've had so far. I came in thinking my profile was in decent shape. I left with a clear picture of how recruiters and bankers actually see it, and a concrete list of changes that will make it work much harder for me.
Some background: I'm moving from corporate finance into investment banking, corporate banking, and private equity. I have an MBA in Corporate Finance, a PMP, and several years of finance and project management experience. Making that kind of move depends heavily on how you present your story, and LinkedIn is often the first place a recruiter or analyst sees it. That's why this session mattered so much to me.
From the first few minutes, Arnau was well prepared, direct, and focused on what actually moves the needle. He didn't just give generic tips like "add a professional photo." He went through my profile section by section and explained why each piece matters to someone in finance who's quickly scanning candidates. His feedback was honest without being discouraging, which I really appreciated. He pointed out where my profile was underselling my experience and where it wasn't clearly showing that I'm aiming for banking and PE.
What stood out most was how he helped me think about positioning. My background covers corporate finance, project management, hospitality, and real estate, and it can be hard to make that read as one clear story. Arnau helped me connect those experiences to the skills banks look for: financial analysis, modeling, managing budgets and capital, and working with senior stakeholders. He showed me how small changes to my headline, About section, and experience bullets can make that story obvious within seconds.
The session was also very actionable. I didn't leave with vague ideas. I left with a short list of specific edits I can make right away. That matters a lot when you're job hunting and every week counts. He also shared advice on using LinkedIn more actively, such as engaging with the right people and content, so the profile supports my networking instead of just sitting there.
I also want to recognize the overall WSO Academy experience. Between the modeling bootcamp, the company research work, the mentorship, and sessions like this one, the program has given me structure and support during a career transition that can otherwise feel isolating. This call was a good example of what makes WSO different: the people coaching you understand the industry you're trying to break into and give feedback that reflects how hiring really works.
If you're a WSO member and haven't booked a LinkedIn audit yet, I'd strongly recommend it. It's a short time commitment, and the return is significant. Your LinkedIn profile is often your first impression, and having an experienced set of eyes on it is worth it.
Thank you, Arnau, for your time, honesty, and practical guidance. I'm excited to put the changes in place and keep building toward my goal of breaking into investment banking.”
I've seen it happen- graduated from a top banking-target school (Col/W/Booth) with highest honors.It's tough, but it can happen. First step: finish high school stat and then go to college.
Rest:
Best route is to join the forces for a few years. Get some leadership experience. When you apply for bschool, do the following:
Hope that helps. I'm sorry you're in a tough spot. Know, however, that others have done it and have succeeded. Stay focused, and fucking execute.
almost anything is possible so long as you work smart.
It's definitely possible, but you need to really decide this is something you want to pursue, and work backwards to every step you will need in order to achieve this goal. Then follow through. You can't afford to get distracted, but for what it's worth (not a banker/in banking), I think you can do it so long as you work.
Honestly, you're actually in better shape than most of the guys currently at non-targets. You can still go to an Ivy.
The ex-military guy is totally right, in that the services are a good track to get into a top-bschool, but you don't even have to do that. Have you taken the SAT? If not, maybe you can just murder it and go to a target. If you were in California you could actually transfer to Berkeley or UCLA straight out of CC after two years. Don't know if the Ivies, Stern, etc take transfers, but maybe.
I haven't taken the SATs. Isn't 22 a little too old though? I know as far as Jersey goes Princeton doesn't accept transfers, while the others take a very small amount. I think Columbia took the highest amount or the 2nd highest amount of transfer for the Ivies.
You don't list your age on your resume.
A cousin of mine had a very, very similar path to you and managed to end up at a pretty good bank (think Nomura/UBS) from a non-target
He dropped out of school at 16 to run the streets (although he spun it as taking care of his ailing mother). His HS grades sucked. After a couple of close calls w/ the law, he got a job at a well known retail chain, got his GED, and then worked his way up to store manager while going to CC for 2 yrs. He took the SAT at 21 after getting his Associates (in Acctg), and absolutely blasted it (for a URM anyway). Got himself a full ride at a decent state school and crushed it.
So it CAN be done. But I have to mention that a)this guy has an obsessive personality. Part of the reason why he made it to store manager so fast was because he had a habit of up-selling and pushing extra products on his customers nonstop. He can be relentless and has no bones about foregoing sleep, food, time etc never considers odds for a second b) He knows how to work a room (charisma?). I used to HATE going to clubs/bars with him because the minute he walked in, he was always "on". And he was greedy. I always got stuck babysitting a fatty or running interference on the c*ck blocking friends for him. He's that way when networking. He's got more old white guys in his rolodex than Heidi Fleiss.
I am a bit like A but not as charismatic as I would like. I guess I will just work hard and network. Not really much else besides hard work.
I am pretty much trying to figure how it'd work going to cc for 1 year to 2 years and then transferring to Rutgers and then transferring to a top B school from there, or an MBA program.
You will need work or military experience between Rutgers and b-school. This a pre-requisite for top programs.
Also, what do you mean ""B school . . . or an MBA program."? They are the same. Unless you are talking about transferring twice, once from Rutgers, then again into a different undergraduate school with business program, which I would not recommend.
Being someone from NJ - I know many many people who couldn't afford / didn't get into Rutgers the first time around. They went to community college and got good grades. I know 4 people transferred to Rutgers, 1 transfered to Temple.
Rutgers is a huge school with a lot of great alumni. I would suggest networking the best you can.
Also have you considered taking the CFA? It's a hard test and requires a lot of dedication to studying the material and employers recognize that. It would help with your first job out of undergrad before B School.
As far as my personality goes I am generally hard working and persistent. I rarely ever take a no and will work at turning just about anyone around. I am easily bored and can't stand doing nothing, I need to be productive in my day otherwise it's a waste so when I was working 10 sometimes 15 hours it was fun. I was working with a broker finding him new clients pretty much so almost like sales. I would call up developers and other possible interesting things, persuade them to let us find them investors, I only worked so long because I wanted to and it was pretty fun. Ended up learning some things, like how easily some people offer news that could get me done in for insider trading. Moving around and being out of school + ending up homeless (I was staying in the marriott about 3-5 of them depending on availability and sometimes sleeping in the car when they were completely booked) has put me WAY WAY off schedule.
You can definitely transfer to an Ivy. I went to a non-target for my first two years of my undergrad and ended up transferring. I don't go to an Ivy but I know people who did manage to transfer Cornell and Columbia. I think I've seen somewhere on these boards a person who transferred into Stanford. Transferring to a target is pretty damn hard, but if you absolutely destroy your first year of college (apps are due the first semester of your second year), are involved, have good extra circulars, it can be done. I think all the Ivys take transfers except for Harvard and Princeton. You can also gun for Berkeley/UCLA/Michigan/UVA. If you want to stay in NJ Rutgers is not a bad school either. I suppose what I'm getting at is you don't have to wait until post MBA to get a shot at banking. It's definitely possible to get into a target by transferring from CC. You have a very unique story, ad coms would eat it up if you convey it effectively in your application essays.
I'm not sure what to major in I was thinking Finance, the CC doesn't have Finance though so I was thinking Business then transfer into Finance, or accounting. I am open to going to where ever.
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