Am I on a good path compared to Americans?
Good morning! Im Brazilian and recently started an internship in a M&A company in my country, in the southeast region. Here, the internship is a little bit different compared to the US. I am currently 19 and the internships are common to last for 1 and a half years, all of this while in college. Typically, I would work 8-8:30 hours, have a lunch, then go to college for another 3-5 hours.
If I'm able to survive this for 5 years while Im in college and without leaving the company, I will probably become an associate at 24-25 (I think so? It is hard to know because I will never be able to work more than the regular 9-18 due to college, but I can counter it by making only a big dinner instead of having lunch, like I'm doing it now).
While I do this, I see Americans leaving college earning +100k and get a little bit jealous.
So I'm curious about some things: How do you US people see this kind of job journey? I'm starting very early compared to Americans, but I still have 5 years of college (100% scholarship, it is free in Brazil). However, while you have some kind of summer internship, I'm full time.
Is this a good differential in the US? Will I be able to get a job opportunity in the exterior, maybe in VC or PE, after these 5 years when I finish college? Or people tend to ignore candidates from countries like mine? Am I exxagerating by thinking 5 years ahead while I should be focusing only in the now?
the sad truth is that US doesn't really care other countries, but having a college degree + 5 years of experience I think you could go straight for an US MBA after graduating so maybe you'll have a shot for IB at 24 graduating+2 MBA=26/27? If it's worth it for you, then go for it.
but don't you have IB/PE in Brazil? Wouldn't you be better off just focusing on recruiting there considering that your academics and professional experience may be more impressive locally?
You are right, Brazil indeed has some PE and VC firms, but the numbers are exponentially lower compared to a economically developed country. But it isn't that much about the money, I'm also able to move to the European Union, and it would be nice to leave work to see a walkable pretty city where I'm not robbed when leaving college classes (it happens, at an uncomfortable amount of times). I'm a smart fella, and I could offer to get a lower salary in the first year to compensate for the risk of hiring, in the eyes of a company, some random Brazilian dude
interesting, still, I think that no matter where you want to end up US/Europe, you'll need to do a MFin/MBA in the country you would like to remain to have it easier. I saw some Brazilians in London but I don't even want to imagine how competitive it is.
generally if you wanted US/Europe why not save money and try to apply for a university in US/Europe? Why would you spend 5 years studying in Brazil and gaining experience there if your ultimate plan is Europe/US. If studying in US/Europe is a financial burden then you should accept that it will be an uphill battle to get any jobs in US/Europe without being exposed academically or professionally to those countries. More so, even Europeans/Americans have it hard to get a job in their own countries so you're clearly at a disadvantage.
People that hustle like you always come out on top. But you need to be smart about it. Simply working in a random place and gathering work experience isn’t necessarily the best way to achieve your goal.
1. You could work for an international company in Brazil, and once you have proven your worth, ask for transfers to US/EU. Internal mobility is usually great and if you are a top performer, they will try to accommodate your request.
2. Work for companies that are at least well known, same goes for studies or even some summer schools. You might underestimate how heavily some firms weight a random summer school experience at a better known uni.
3. Network your ass off. Try to connect with Brazilians that live abroad, learn from their experience and establish your own network which you can leverage. Before you know, job opportunities may arise from this.
Good luck
Comparison is the thief of joy man enjoy your life
Think your best paths to the US are either
1. M7 or top 15 US MBA after a few years of full-time, post-college work experience. Can do IB -> PE from there or
2. work at a large US company in Brazil for a few years, do a great job and ask them to transfer you
International experience is very heavily discounted in the US, as others are saying, and you are one of a billion guys trying to get to the US from an international country. The above routes are well-tested but you won't just be able to apply straight to American VC/PE jobs, or even corporate finance jobs, and get hired.
Work in the US. You make more money, and most Brazilian girls are just not it
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