Yet another career changer
Hello everyone, first post. I wanted to seek your professional opinion. I am 32 years old and currently a student transferring to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas for an undergrad in Finance. I will be 34 upon graduation. Currently, I work a dead end job in Corporate Security Management. One thing I have always had an interest in is financial markets. I finally decided to take the leap to SMU and want to pursue a career in IB. I won't go into details as to why but I know I will not be accepted into the Alternative Asset Program. Do you guys see the possibility of me being able to land internships in this field or related? Furthermore, do you see a route for me to secure a position within banking. I am not foolish enough to believe I will end up on wall street and frankly I'm okay with that. What would you think is ideal for a career changer to maximize their earning power within the realm of finance? Thank you all in advance.
I would look into local commercial banks in Dallas - Amegy, Regions, BBVA, Veritex, etc. I think they would be a good fit with your story and all have programs that would support you. Go there, do commercial or better, their corporate banking program and you could lateral to a BB eventually.
That is a route I really hadn't considered or investigated in depth. Thank you so much for this insight.
Of course! Even if you don't end up at a BB, you could make a very good life in commercial/corporate banking without the crazy hours of a BB. Like the below said, utilize your network as well and use your story to your advantage - you have experience in life and you'll bring a different perspective to a team. Good luck & keep us posted - I'm rooting for you from Houston.
Honestly, just use SMU's Alumni base to network with people at companies you're interested in. I know people who went to SMU and weren't in the Alternative Asset Program but were still able to network their way into FT gigs on wall street. I think the Alternative Asset Program is only good because of the connections they have to several IB and PE shops - mostly in Dallas and Houston. A degree from Cox is already really good even without being in the alts program, so just take advantage of networking opportunities and you should be able to find a career wherever you want.
Agree with most of the above. The broader alumni network is well built out and should be priority number 1 for you. I have seen non AAMC alums place pretty well locally in Dallas and Houston but if your goal is NYC, that's where the Alternative Assets network is most critical. If you look at the SMU alums at top banks in NYC (GS / MS / EVR / CVP, etc.), they're all from the program. Doesn't mean that they won't speak to you, but you'll have to network harder.
Your story is more important than anything. If you can explain your path up to this point and your interest in finance, you'll do well. Seems like you've got tenacity, so keep it up and you'll land where you want to be. Good luck!
Much like I said to the other poster, that really makes me feel better with taking the leap. Hearing I could place in Dallas or Houston would leave me more than ecstatic. Again, thank you for this. I was beginning to assume this profession was closed off to me.
Thank you, that is really reassuring to hear. Based on what I had read here and other sources was without alts, you were basically dead in the water with an expensive degree. Finance is something I clearly discovered later in life but am committed to getting there. I can't thank you guys enough for answering my request for info. I will also take advantage of that networking opportunity with the alumni.
Wanted to provide an update for anyone who was kind enough to reply to my post quite a while ago. There was a delay in my entry to SMU but finally got in. I discovered some challenges as a transfer student with no SMU GPA. So far, deep into recruiting, there is very little IB interest in me but I have been able to secure some interviews on CB side and even some RE niche banking. I am starting from the bottom as y'all know so these are all internship applications. It appears I will hold my previous 3.9+ GPA at SMU as well. So hopefully maximizing my chances combined with networking. This was ultimately to say thanks again to everyone who commented and helped keep my spirits up when I was questioning if my investment in this education was going to work out.
xxxx
Oh that’s so great thanks. I will definitely follow up with you. Thank you again.
You can also network with people outside of SMU if you do not find many alumni at a specific firm. From my experiences there while networking and cold emailing, people from other schools have been nearly as responsive as alumni
Out of curiosity why will you be graduating undergrad at 34? Didn't need college for your previous job, army, etc?
Not looking to judge but this will greatly impact your ideal next steps.
Well to be completely transparent I didn’t think I was capable and thought what I was doing would be good enough, an honest living per se. Not military, either.Finally, I just got motivated to go for a career I want in finance but with no discernible skills I decided to try and make it happen. You miss 100% of shots you don’t take.
Got it. Being an undergrad is great, if your school has a club and you prepare as recommended you should be in good shape.
For your story I would lean into the fact that you got great work experience before starting college and highlight some examples of skills that will carry over to IB.
Checkout Stephens in Dallas or Little Rock. Lots of people with unique career paths
Awesome, thank you! Stephens was at the top of my list due to their proximity to Dallas.
Any idea what culture is like there?
Keep going dude. Dont let anyone stop you. I love to hear that you're making strides and succeeding. I truly hope you win.
Thank you for this comment almost 10 mo. ago. I wanted to say I got an offer from a BB in their CB. It meant a lot to me then, and it still matters to me now. Seriously, I appreciated this so much!
Id modi qui suscipit architecto. Beatae fuga et omnis omnis neque. Distinctio quam et et dolor tenetur libero quidem. Voluptas eos in sed.
Aut autem aspernatur qui assumenda. Quasi et nobis dicta. Sapiente enim voluptatibus et dolores quibusdam.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...